The Private Character of Queen Elizabeth

Frederick Chamberlin

Jan 1922 · New York, Dodd, Mead

About this ebook

The author practiced law for many years, and in his introduction states, "my main aim has been to set before the reader the evidence itself rather than what I think about it. The solution of the historical problem is thus left altogether to the reader rather than, as hitherto, to the historian." He offers "the first study of the private character of her who is, I believe, by far the greatest woman of history ; not only the greatest monarch who has ever occupied the throne of England, but, with the exceptions of Alexander, Napoleon, and Caesar, the greatest monarch who has ever occupied any throne. Herein will be found the first collection attempted of all the contemporary evidence for and against the morality of Elizabeth. Most of the evidence will be new to all readers ; and much, of the highest significance, has never previously appeared." Unlike most biographies, Mr. Chamberlin examines two subjects: the Seymour affair, which embroiled the not-yet Queen from ages 13-15, and the effect this long-running incident had on her health.