Chapter 4, pgs. 118-162 Summary and Analysis

Marriage presents a problem for Elizabeth whether she marries a foreigner or an Englishman. A potential husband has to be of royal blood. Legally a wife does not have many rights at the time and any husband she has would want to be crowned king, a fact that caused problems in her sister's marriage. Elizabeth will not give any of her power to a husband. The only thing she would gain with a husband would be an heir and Somerset hypothesizes that Elizabeth is affected by the execution of the wives of Henry VIII. There are also many rumors that Elizabeth could not have children.

There are rumors that Elizabeth had numerous affairs but Elizabeth herself says that she is never alone and can't understand where the rumors come form.

The reason for the interest in Elizabeth...