Blood, Fire & Gold” is a commendable attempt to explore the relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici and, by extension, England and France. The problems lay therein the execution which is inconsistent, speculative, blurred between history and fiction and with the absence of new information as so adamantly claimed. “Blood, Fire & Gold” isn’t awful but it is simply average for the learned reader and is better suited as an introduction to begin their history journeys. Previously referred to as The Peace of the Dragon. [12] While Aegon I's reign had briefly been glossed over in The World of Ice & Fire, no parts of these texts had been published before. Ms. Paranque... conveys the relationship between these two remarkable women with zest and insight and with sympathy... Just as historical novelists now engage in serious academic research, so some historians, Ms. Paranque among them, are ready to grant themselves the novelist's freedom—though not with facts, thank goodness. After all, outside universities, people read even carefully researched history for enjoyment. There is a lot to enjoy here."— Wall Street Journal Over the thirty years, Catherine de Medici and Elizabeth I dealt with many obstacles in their relationship. Catherine had to deal with the antics of her children and her daughter-in-law, Mary Queen of Scots, who would become one of Elizabeth’s biggest rivals. The bond between the two queens started over a desire for one of Catherine’s sons to marry Elizabeth and become King of England and France, but alas, this was wishful thinking. Catherine and Elizabeth also had to deal with other nations, like Spain, getting in the way of their relationship, as well as the issue of religion; Catherine was a devout Catholic, and Elizabeth was more Protestant. Catherine had to deal with several wars of religions and the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, while Elizabeth had to deal with the Spanish Armada and what to do with Mary Queen of Scots. A smart and stylish portrait of two of Europe's most remarkable rulers, a compelling profile of female power and - that rarest of things - a truly original book about the Tudor period' Jessie Childs

In Blood, Fire, and Gold, historian Estelle Paranque offers a new way of looking at two of history's most powerful women: through the eyes of the other. Drawing on their private correspondence and brand-new research, Paranque shows how Elizabeth and Catherine navigated through uncharted waters that both united and divided their kingdoms, maneuvering between opposing political, religious, and social objectives—all while maintaining unprecedented power over their respective domains. Though different in myriad ways, their fates and lives remained intertwined of the course of three decades, even as the European geo-politics repeatedly set them against one another. Whether engaged in bloody battles or peaceful accords, Elizabeth and Catherine admired the force and resilience of the other, while never forgetting that they were, first and foremost, each other's true rival. Blood, Fire and Gold offers much more than a study of the relationship between these queens though. Paranque manages to paint a broad-strokes portrait of mid-to late 16th century Western Europe. Political intrigue is the emphasis, so, for example, Shakespeare doesn't play a role, nor do other social developments. But there is plenty of discussion of Reformation tension, of the political interplay between both France and England and Spain, of Elizabeth's embrace of piracy for war-making, etc. There is also a lot of space devoted to the personal lives of each of the queens, with enough sensitive detail to offer a genuine feel for the personalities of each woman—something that is often hard to achieve in biography, especially for people long dead. Blood, Fire & Gold” was an eagerly anticipated, highly promoted, overly hyped piece that promised to reveal Elizabeth Tudor and Catherine de Medici in a refreshing and unique way that eschews the standard biographical history retelling. “Drawing on private correspondence and brand-new research”; Paranque’s “Blood, Fire & Gold” seemingly would shatter history bookshelves. Unfortunately, not everything lives up to its perturbed hype. However, it was in both their interests to oppose the ambitions of Spain, and they had made the Treaty of Blois in 1572, agreeing to send help to the Netherlands in their revolt against Spain which began that year. Elizabeth was horrified by the St Bartholomew massacre of the Huguenots which took place later that year during the celebrations of the wedding Catherine had arranged between her daughter Margaret and the Huguenot Henry of Navarre; but the French ambassador assured her that Catherine and Charles IX had had nothing to do with the massacre, and she maintained the alliance she had just made with France.Together with the previous chapter and the chapter after previously referred to as The Boy King and His Regents. [14] Detailing the reign of Aegon III under the rule of his regents and Hands of the King. By merging biographies of Elizabeth I of England and Catherine de' Medici of France into a study of their relationship, Paranque crafts a marvelous lens for appreciating history that manages to be informative, thoroughly engaging, and remarkably brief—all at once. A thrilling and highly-acclaimed joint biography of Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici, uncovering how their complex 30-year relationship shaped their dynasties, perfect for fans of Alison Weir and Tracy Borman. Francis II was married to Mary, Queen of Scots, who had a claim on the English throne, and the young couple sported the arms of England. Mary’s mother, Marie de Guise, was her regent in Scotland, and was much hated by the protestant lords there whom Elizabeth supported and with whom she signed the Treaty of Edinburgh in 1560 which Mary Stuart refused to ratify.

An excellent choice for both history buffs and listeners who are interested in feminist history and the lives of women rulers."— Library Journal The author doesn't shy away from exploring the negative side of her subjects and it is utterly refreshing to see that these powerhouse women are not pitted against one another but simply respected for their importance they gained in their own right.Ms. Paranque... conveys the relationship between these two remarkable women with zest and insight and with sympathy... Just as historical novelists now engage in serious academic research, so some historians, Ms. Paranque among them, are ready to grant themselves the novelist's freedom--though not with facts, thank goodness. After all, outside universities, people read even carefully researched history for enjoyment. There is a lot to enjoy here. "― Wall Street Journal Estelle Paranque succeeds in bringing a fresh narration to the complex and extraordinary lives of two incredibly powerful women. The final focus that of Elizabeth’s struggle with signing the death warrant of Mary, Queen of Scots is perhaps the strongest note of “Blood, Fire & Gold” with fresh treatment and in-depth analysis that feature Elizabeth in new ways . This, coupled with an assertive reiteration of the interplay between Elizabeth and Catherine during this time concludes “Blood, Fire & Gold” with a more memorable punch than expected.

Historian Estelle Paranque looks at the relationship between Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici, two of the most powerful women in Renaissance Europe. She draws on their private letters to craft portraits of these famous women... A must-read for history lovers."― Town and Country MagazineBlood, Fire & Gold” contains a section of color photo plates, a brief (not annotated) notes section and a light list of primary and secondary resources.

Paranque deftly shows how their experiences shaped the women rulers’ relationships with their subjects, advisers and each other.”— Smithsonian Magazine Furthermore, Fire & Blood contains an overview of the entire Targaryen succession, and a family tree depicting the Targaryen family until 136AC. Drawing on new research and private correspondence, Paranque paints a vivid picture of two formidable women whose rivalry motivated their respective choices and accomplishments.”— Booklist Blood, Fire and Gold is a must-read for anyone interested in not only Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici, but anyone interested in studies of female power more generally!

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A fascinating, detailed look at the personal and political relations between Elizabeth and Catherine as they sought to promote the interests of their respective countries and religions."― New York Journal of Books Paranque deftly shows how their experiences shaped the women rulers’ relationships with their subjects, advisers and each other.”― Smithsonian Magazine In England, Elizabeth I was the daughter of Anne Boleyn and the notorious King Henry VIII; their relationship was the most infamous of the 16th century for obvious reasons. After the deaths of King Henry VIII, King Edward VI, and Queen Mary I, Elizabeth got her chance to rule England in her way. When the issue of Elizabeth’s marriage came into play, Catherine de Medici entered Elizabeth I’s life, starting a 30- year relationship that began as a friendship but changed into a rivalry in the end.