The Marriage Game: A Novel of Elizabeth I

I tend to think of Alison Weir, author of The Marriage Game: A Novel of Elizabeth I (#485) principally as a non-fiction writer of Tudor biographies, and in this novel she doesn't stray far from the facts surrounding Elizabeth's refusal to marry or name a successor to her throne during her lifetime.

Ms.Weir does indulge in some speculation as to whether Elizabeth did remain a Virgin Queen, as she herself always claimed, or whether things might have proceeded further than that with Elizabeth's stepfather, Thomas Seymour, or with her longtime favorite, Robert Dudley, but ultimately the author comes to the conclusion that this was unlikely.  Lest you think that the entire book consists of salacious imaginings of what could have happened behind closed doors, rest assured that the politics of the times took precedence, especially her councilors' and Parliament's eagerness to see her safely wed and the succession assured. Weir takes us through the entire reign of Elizabeth, year by year on this score, beginning with her accession to the throne until her death.  Though her closest advisors were devoted to her, reading about Elizabeth's behavior, tantrums and indecisiveness and inability to take action upon matters that touched her and her kingdom closely, I, at least, wondered why they stuck around.  Power, preferment and money, I suppose...

If you're interested in the Tudor period, and want to read something that has a ring of truth to it, The Marriage Game would be a good bet.