Rival to the Queen

Summer book #19: Rival to the Queen by Carolly Erickson

I bought this book because I am fascinated by all things Tudor. Because this was about Elizabeth I, this "rival" could have been anyone: Amy Dudley, Lettice Knollys, Mary Stuart, etc.  This particular book was about Lettice Knollys.

Lettice Knollys was Elizabeth's cousin.  When Elizabeth came to the throne, she wanted all of her "Boleyn relatives" by her side in places of honor.  Lettie was made one of Elizabeth's ladies in waiting. Elizabeth, at least in this book, hated Lettie because Lettie was beautiful where Elizabeth was not.  As the book progresses, we find that Elizabeth hates Lettie even more because Lettie marries Robert Dudley, a great favorite of the queen.

Ms. Erickson takes liberty with history in this book, which is fine by me, to an extent.  For a "great" historian, it seems silly that she changed names and events that are historically noted. One example of this is changing Kat Ashley to Ms. Clinkerte. Another is the event that gets Lettie's son banished from court: historically, it is because he walked into Elizabeth's room while she was in a state of undress. In this book, it was because he acted as though he was going to draw his sword when Elizabeth struck his face. Perhaps it's just me, but I think if an author is going to take liberties to keep the story moving, they shouldn't mess with the actual historic accounts. Mess with the filler instead.

Unlike many other books I have read about Elizabeth I, this was a bit on the boring side. I don't know if this is because I have already read so much about Elizabeth I, or if the subject matter was itself just boring.  This was told from Lettie's side, which was ok. It's safe to say I wouldn't read this one again.