Sovereign Ladies: Sex, Sacrifice, and Power--The Six Reigning Queens of England

by Maureen Waller

Overview

Maureen Waller has written a fascinating narrative history—-a brilliant combination of drama and biographical insight on the British monarchy—-of the six women who have ruled England in their own names.

In the last millennium there have been only six English female sovereigns: Mary I and Elizabeth I, Mary II and Anne, Victoria and Elizabeth II. With the exception of Mary I, they are among England's most successful monarchs. Without Mary II and Anne, the Glorious Revolution of 1688 might not have taken place. Elizabeth I and Victoria each gave their name to an age, presiding over long periods when Britain made significant progress in the growth of empire, prestige, and power. All of them have far-reaching legacies. Each faced personal sacrifices and emotional dilemmas in her pursuit of political power. How to overcome the problem of being a female ruler when the sex was considered inferior? Does a queen take a husband and, if so, how does she reconcile the reversal of the natural order, according to which the man should be the master? A queen's first royal duty is to provide an heir to the throne, but at what cost?

In this richly compelling narrative of royalty, Maureen Waller delves into the intimate lives of England's queens regnant in delicious detail, assessing their achievements from a female perspective.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312386085
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	11/25/2008
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	576
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.60(d)

About the Author

Maureen Waller was educated at University College London, where she studied medieval and modern history. She received a master's degree at Queen Mary College, London, in British and European history 1660—1714. After a brief stint at the National Portrait Gallery, she went on to work as an editor at several prestigious London publishing houses. Her first book was the highly acclaimed 1700: Scenes from London Life. Her other books include Sovereign Ladies: The Six Reigning Queens of England and Ungrateful Daughters: The Stuart Princesses Who Stole Their Father's Crown.  She currently lives in London with her husband, who is a journalist and author.

Reading Group Guide

1.) Mary I is best known to posterity as 'Bloody Mary.' To what extent was this reputation justified?

2.) Describe the power of John Foxe's Acts and Monuments, otherwise known as the Book of Martyrs.

3.) Describe some of the means by which Elizabeth I asserted her authority in a man's world.

4.) What were the pros and cons of marriage for a sixteenth-century queen, with particular reference to the Queens of England and Scotland?

5.) Describe the achievements of Mary II as Queen. What did she bring to the role? What is her legacy?

6.) 'Good Queen Anne'. Did she deserve this title? How far was she only as good as the men around her?

7.) Describe the ways in which Queen Victoria was able to trade on her gender.

8.) How did Victoria and Albert change the face of the British monarchy? What technical advances could they exploit?

9.) Victoria was a fierce protector of royal prerogatives. Can the same be said of Elizabeth II?

10.) How will Elizabeth II be judged as Queen?

Editorial Reviews

In the last millennium, there have been only six female sovereigns of the British Empire. In Sovereign Ladies, Maureen Waller looks at the unique challenges and sacrifices each of these women faced. A rich, engaging narrative that explores their political triumphs and failures, revealing the reigning queens as shrewd enough to succeed in a realm that had no place for woman. Waller also examines the personal compromises each monarch faced, as they struggled to balance the traditional duties of wife and mother with the demands of holding the most powerful position in the nation.” —History magazine

“Deeply detailed.… Waller's take is refreshingly feminist.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Waller has written another book to delight British history students, teachers, and fans.… Highly recommended.” —Library Journal (starred review)

“Waller's vigorous, substantive prose takes no prisoners.” —Publishers Weekly

“Absorbing, thought-provoking historical narrative in vigorous prose that transports readers absolutely into the minds and times of these monarchs, while examing their lives, loves, travails, and work from a female point of view.… [Waller] is intimate with, rationally sympathetic to, and honest about her subject ladies.… Sovereign Ladies offers illuminating perspectives about the foundations of the English monarchy” —BookPage

“Waller's thoughtful scholarship is an antidote to the frenzied portrayals of media-age royals.” —Newark Star Ledger

“Sovereign Ladies contains facts you may not know. Even if you're well versed with the history of the queens in this book, you will learn something new about each one. If you love the British monarchy you will want to read this book.” —The British Weekly and Hollywood Today

From the Publisher