The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir

Title: The Lady Elizabeth
Author: Alison Weir

Category: Historical-Fiction (Tudor)

The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir is a novel of the early life of Elizabeth Tudor, before she became Queen Elizabeth I.

As a historian, Weir always ensures to incorporate plenty of historical detail into her novels, bringing the story to life for the reader. It is not difficult to imagine Elizabeth's detached, confused childhood, her father (King Henry VIII) being its only constant; she admiring him endlessly despite his decision to bring her mother's life (Anne Boleyn) to a brutal end; her love-hate relationship with her half-sister, Queen Mary I; the utter choas that followed the death of her father and brother (Edward); her life becoming an endless fight for survival, and her unyieling determination to secure her place in the succession.

Weir's skills as a fiction writer improve dramatically with The Lady Elizabeth, her second novel, creating for the reader a truly compelling account of the events that culminated in Elizabeth Tudor's rise to the English throne.

Highly recommended.

4 out of 5 stars.

When it rains, it pours...

[Boolcunda Creek, between Quorn & Hawker, 4 Sept 2010]

We certainly have had some wild weather these past two days: Gale-force winds, thunder, lightning, and a heap of rain! Our area received more than 40mm in 12 hours Friday night, with another 15mm falling during the day Saturday.

Boolcunda Creek is one of 8 creeks/rivers that flow into the Willochra, the largest river in the Flinders Ranges. Most of the time these creeks/rivers are bone-dry, but if enough rain falls in a short period of time they begin to flow. They don't run for very long, but they make for an impressive sight when they do.

Cottage Gardens...

1. Our Cottage Garden 1, 2. An English cottage garden June 2010, 3. garden cottage, 4. English Cottage Garden, 5. In an English country garden, 6. Cottage garden - hambledon, 7. Shakespeare Garden in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Nov. 2006, 8. Hidcote Manor Garden, 9. Hidcote Manor Garden, 10. Hidcote Manor Garden, 11. Hidcote Manor Garden, 12. Hidcote Manor Garden, 13. Hidcote Manor Garden, 14. Hidcote Manor Garden, 15. Melbourne, Australia, 16. thatched cottage, 17. 087 Cottage Garden, 18. Another lovely English Cottage Garden, 19. english garden in biltmore gardens, 20. Cottage Garden in Tissington, Derbyshire, 21. english cottage garden, 22. Walled Garden, Chipping Campden, England, 23. Vege Garden looking North, 24. Counting down .....

...Inspiration as I work on my own!