Long Live the Queen

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She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth by Helen Castor


The young King, Edward VI, King Henry VIII’s only legitimate heir is dying. Before his death he goes against his fathers will, which states that Mary Tudor and Elizabeth Tudor would be the next in line for the throne, to appoint his cousin, Jane Grey’s male sons heir to the throne. The politics of this decision go back hundreds of years and are thoroughly discussed within these passages. You are first introduced to Matilda (1102-1167) who was the heir to Henry I, but never took the thrown in her own place, always being seen as a figure for her husband or son. Then, Eleanor of Aquitaine (1124-1204) is introduced. She was Queen of France and later Queen of England. Extremely powerful she would eventually help her son defy his father in his quest for the crown. Isabella of France (1295-1328) is the third woman observed. She was the wife of the Edward II of England and after constantly being ignored by her husband for his favorite male counterparts, she would eventually lead a revolt against her husband, with her son in place as heir and the soon to be king. Margaret of Anjou (1430-1482) then takes center stage as we began to look at the War of the Roses. This civil war took place between the York and the Lancaster. Margaret was a pivotal figure during this war and at times led the Lancastrian front in her husbands place. These women all faced distinct challenges in their rules that had a lasting effect on the culture that is England. So this brings us back to Mary and Elizabeth Tudor. Their half-brother, Edward VI’s, ploy to prevent his sisters from ruling failed. Mary did rule as Queen and with her death, Elizabeth took the throne.
                This was an extremely informative historical novel about a history of England that is not often addressed. Queen Elizabeth is by far one of the most famous female figures in history, but I’ve never read anything that incorporated the history of so many different queens and their struggles. I am not a historian, by any means, but I am extremely fascinated by The Tudor dynasty and this was a definitely a crash course in English Dynasties, which at times felt like information overload.  This novel focused on the struggles that these women had to face to rule. In history, most women could only rule as a regent to their son, or as a hand to the king, even if in Matilda’s instance, you are the heir to the throne. This made it interesting to say the least to read about women who played such dominant roles in history.
            I would suggest this book if you want a history lesson on Queens of England. I enjoyed taking this walk back into history class and observing these woman so thoroughly.

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