About the Book: All the Queens Men
The throne of England hung in the balance, and every prince in Europe wanted to
claim it.
When Elizabeth I ascended the throne in 1558, she became the most eligible
woman in Europe. All saw the same prize: marry Elizabeth, rule England.
Ambassadors flooded her court with portraits, jewels and proposals. Sweden
promised silver, Spain imperial protection. Even Ivan the Terrible sent gifts
and threats in equal measure.
For nearly five decades, Elizabeth kept them all waiting, playing each suitor
against the other. Erik XIV wrote love letters for a decade; she exchanged rings
with the