Elizabeth and Mary: Royal Cousins, Rival Queens

EDITED BY SUSAN DORAN BRITISH LIBRARY

£30.00 ★★★★☆

This beautifully edited and printed historical tome was published by the British Library to support an exhibition of the same name that will run until February 2022 – the first to put Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots centre stage.

These powerful women dominated English and Scottish politics during their respective reigns and despite never meeting in person their lives were undeniably intertwined.

Their stormy relationship is examined by some of the country’s leading historical writers and is brought to life by 16th-century documents and portraits, as well as correspondence between the rival cousins. For anyone who is unable to make it to London to see these papers and artworks in person, this book provides an insight into the personal history of these remarkable monarchs.