Charleston County Public Library

The queen's bed, an intimate history of Elizabeth's court, Anna Whitelock

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 359-441) and index

contains biographical information

platesportraitsillustrations

index present

non fiction

The queen's bed

bibliography

846545247

Anna Whitelock

an intimate history of Elizabeth's court

"Queen Elizabeth I acceded to the throne in 1558, restoring the Protestant faith to England. At the heart of the new queen's court lay her bedchamber, closely guarded by the favored women who helped her dress, looked after her jewels, and shared her bed. Her bedfellows were witnesses to the face and body beneath the makeup and raiment, as well as to rumored dalliances with such figures as Earl Robert Dudley. Their presence was for security as well as propriety, as the kingdom was haunted by fears of assassination plots and other Catholic stratagems. Historian Anna Whitelock offers a revealing look at the Elizabethan court and the politics of intimacy. She dramatically reconstructs, for the first time, the queen's quarters and the women who patrolled them. These women were her friends, confidantes, and spies--nobody knew her better. And until now, historians have overlooked them. This is a revelatory, insightful look into their daily lives--the untold story of the queen laid bare."--From publisher description

Prologue: Shameful slanders -- The queen's two bodies -- The queen is dead, long live the queen -- Familia reginae -- Not a morning person -- Womanish infirmity -- Disreputable rumours -- Ruin of the realm -- Carnal copulation -- Arcana imperii -- Smallpox -- Devouring lions -- Ménage à trois -- Visitor to the bedchamber -- Sour and noisome -- Untouched and unimpaired -- Greatly grieved -- Suspicious mind -- The elixir of life -- Barren stock -- Wicked intentions -- Secret enemies -- Want of posterity -- Compass her death -- Beside her bed -- Lewd fantasy -- Blows and evil words -- Kenilworth -- Badness of belief -- Toothache -- Amorous potions -- Froggie went a-courtin' -- Semper eadem -- The die is cast -- The enemy sleeps not -- In defence of the queen's body -- Agent provocateur? -- Unseemly familiarities -- Especial favour -- The deed shall be done -- Blow up the bed -- Nightmares -- Secret son? -- Satan's instruments -- Barricaded from within -- Suspected and discontented persons -- Age and decay -- Abused her body -- The physician's poison -- Love and self-love -- Privy matters -- Foolish and old -- Mask of youth -- The poisoned pommel -- Crooked carcass -- Lèse majesté -- Dangerous and malicious ends -- No season to fool -- Age itself is a sickness -- All are in a dump at court -- Deathbed -- Regina intacta -- The queen's effigy -- Epilogue: Secret histories