Book Review: The Virgin's Lover

Title: The Virgin's Lover
Author: Philippa Gregory
Published: 2005, Touchstone
Rating: 5/5

Was Elizabeth I, the "Virgin Queen", truly a virgin? Or was it all part of an image she sought to project to her beloved people? In this novel, Gregory delves into the psyche of the young queen as she struggles to be the ruler she needs to be and the woman she wants to be. Her characterization of the conflicted queen is tastefully done as the reader sees the effects Elizabeth's childhood had on her.

Elizabeth is a survivor. She is the daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn, who died in false shame and ruin. Having survived her sister's reign, she has come to the throne in peril as she has lived her whole life. Unable to trust many of those around her she seeks out her childhood friend Robert Dudley. He is her favorite, her trusted adviser, and soon becomes her lover.

Robert Dudley has been laid low by his family's defeat. He has lost his fortune and many of his family members. When Elizabeth comes to throne, he sees it as his way back to glory. An unfamiliar feeling consumes him when he is with Elizabeth. Her happiness and welfare is more important to him than anything else. He would give anything to be her husband, but he has two objects in his way: his wife and Elizabeth's love of her throne.

The ambitious Robin may love Elizabeth, but he also wants to be King. Elizabeth is eager to be loved, but she is unwilling to do anything that would cost her the throne. She is unable to protect her throne from her private life. William Cecil, Secretary of State, makes the ultimate move to protect England with the Queen's royal command.

Now back to the question: Was Elizabeth truly the virgin she claimed to be? There is no doubt she and Robin Dudley loved each other and wanted to marry. My personal belief is that Elizabeth feared the state of marriage and only contemplated marrying Robin because she did love and trust him.  When she could not have him, she decided she would never marry. Did she sleep with him out of wedlock? I do not believe so. Perhaps they came close, but in my view Elizabeth was too shrewd to do anything that would put her and her beloved England at risk.