Autumn 1558, pages 1-3 Summary

The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory starts in the Autumn of 1558, in Tudor England. It is a time of intense political and religious turmoil as, during these past few years we have seen the swift succession of short-lived monarchs, the dissolution of the Holy Roman Church in England (and the instigation of the Church of England), as well as mounting wars between the English Throne and France, Scotland and Spain. The Virgin's Lover concerns itself with the meteoric rise to power of the infamous Elizabeth the First, one of England's most beloved Queen's who never married during her lifetime, who overturned what a woman was thought (at the time) to be capable of doing, as well as defeating vast enemies and ensuring peace for her kingdom. Elizabeth the First was the last surviving heir of Henry VIII (Eighth) who...