A very detailed account of Elizabeth I's Final Years that doesn't necessarily conform to traditional biographical tropes. Stedall paints an intriguing, enthralling and meticulous account that will stun any history buff.

I was looking forward to reading this to gain some more understanding of some of the people who surrounded Elizabeth I in the last few years of her reign. The book was informative, but I found it a little challenging to keep up with what was going on and with who, mainly because of how the author decided to format the way the information was presented. Granted, it does not help that so many people in that time period had the same names, but it also does not help keep everything making sense when the author goes back and forth between referencing someone by name and also by title.

Although this is undeniably a well-researched and well-written book, I must admit I found it very hard work to actually read the darn thing.
I think the main problem - as a few people have mentioned - is that the book focuses very heavily on the men employed by Queen Elizabeth I rather than Good Queen Bess herself. This didn't interest me enough to keep me going.

This is a well researched book that deserves a spot on every Tudor armchair-historian's bookshelf. It is meticulously researched and well-written and dives deeper into the reign of Elizabeth I, and specifically her favorites, than I have ever experienced before. Names that were once vague to me are now more acquainted and their roles more appreciated. I enjoyed this immensely!

As many others have stated, I was expecting a book on Elizabeth herself, not the men. I felt like I was reading something a bit more academic, without the philosophical considerations.

This book is not for the beginner Tudor fan, but is an engaging read for the history buff. The writing is clear and precise and Stedall's research is clearly phenomenal. I particularly enjoyed learning more about Charles Blount, Lord Mountjoy.

I thought this book would be like John Guy’s take on Elizabeth I’s final years. Instead, it was more biography of the men who played a major role in her later years in life. Thus, I wanted more intimate look at the infamous queen. Still, I recommend this for fans of the Tudor era.

This book tells the oft overlooked story of Elizabeth’s last years. It is well researched and well written with each scheming courtier being well portrayed. The period was extraordinarily complex but the author here makes sense of it and communicates it in a engaging way. I highly recommend.

This is a fascinating book about the end of life and time's of Elizabeth I. The information in this book has been very thoroughly researched and is presented in a clear and readable manner.

I really enjoyed reading about Elisabeth I's history. I was always fascinated about the life of the amazing women who lived long time ago, and this book didn't dissapoint.

I recommend this book for all of you history lovers, especialy the ones fascinated with strong women who live long ago.

This is not what you call an entertaining read. If however you love history then this is for you. The author has gone into so much detail that it is obvious the amount of research that has been done. Having read so many books on the era of Elizabeth I , I have to ask myself a question. Did I learn anything new from this book. The answer for this one is a big yes.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to see an ARC

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Very informative and highly recommend! Great research on the author's part and would read again!

I'm a huge Tudor/Stuart history fan. I have quite a few books on the two dynasties, and even the information about both doesn't change in terms of dates and places and people, there is always a new perspective that can be shared. This book is the first I've read by Robert Stedall. He provides a great deal of detail of the latter years of Elizabeth I in a fairly straightforward manner. As much as I appreciate that, in this case it makes for some dry reading. And the life and times of Elizabeth I was anything but. Midway through, I chose to skim the remainder of the book. Even that did not make the writing less dry. I'm sorry to say this is not a Tudor history book I'd read again.

A fascinating look at the end of the life and times of Elizabeth I.

We read about her decline in her latter years although she is still able and one step ahead. She faces decisions

about the Armada, Irish problems, and unrest at home with the succession.. At the time of her

demise, she is alone without her favourites and courtly love.

.The information has been thoroughly researched and is presented in a clear and readable manner.

An informative if not very original piece of scholarship about the men who made up Elizabeth Tudor’s court in her last years.

I looked forward to reading this book but was very disappointed. Sorry but I even skipped sections. I thought that this was mainly about Elizabeth 1 but it was about the men I her government. I love the Tudors but was so disappointed. If you like war and battleships, this could be the book for you. For me, no.

I just read this book and I gave my honest opinion.