The Virgin’s Lover by Philippa Gregory
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Aye, her virgin status didnae last long. Not once Dudly got his tupping troosers on. Another in a long line of excellent potboilers from Philippa Gregory, this one starts in 1558, just after the death of Queen Mary I, leading to the coronation of her half-sister, Elizabeth. The lead characters are Elizabeth’s, her main adviser and all round political whizz, William Cecil, her childhood friend, one time traitor and Queen tupper upper, Robert Dudley, the his wife Amy Robsart.
The country is broke, enemies besiege her on all sides, the French are in Scotland, and the church is in turmoil. The story ranges far and wide through fact and fiction, but never fails to entertain with the characters all bright and vivid. With The White Queen on the telly, albeit not terribly well done, there will be a few new folk looking to read some of Ms Gregorys books. This is one of my favourites, and a good starting point for a riproaring Elizabethan soap opera.
The Rocker - The Artist Formerly Known As Zeitgeist. TAFKAZ 
Leave a comment