Intrigue and Treason: The Tudor Court, 1547-1558

'This is a penetrating and colourful history of the mid-Tudor Court. Loadeshas responded to both the revived interest in Edwardian and Marian politicsand the current fascination with the Court to explore and demonstrate therole of the royal home as a political arena and the heart of government. Healso provides fresh, stimulating and important assessments of Philip,Elizabeth and other focal figures.' - Professor Michael Graves, University of AucklandWith Elizabeth I and Henry VIII dominant, the Tudor world still casts a spell. Yet how did the court change from Henry's male sphere to Elizabeth's feminine court? From the school room of Edward, through Mary and Philip's reign to Elizabeth's loving virgin circle, the court changed through a series of plots, affairs and religious rollercoasters.Intrigue and Treason pursues the Kings and Queens of sixteenth century through an unprecedented period of upheaval when there was no adult male to take the throne. Through an original study of both the politics and culture of the age, it shows how the monarchy and state adapted to a completely new form of rule: that of women and children.

Table of Contents:
Preface List of Illustrations 1. The Functioning of the Court 1540-1547 The Court During the Protectorate 1547-49 Educating and Entertaining a Prince The Politics of the Court 1550-53 The Succession Crisis of July 1553 The Court of a femme seule King Philip The Declining Years 1555-58 Elizabeth The Eye of the Storm Appendix I The Structure of the Court Appendix II The Chief Officers of the Court Select Bibliography Index

About the Author :
David Loades is Honorary Research Professor at the University of Sheffield. His previous publications include 'The Tudor Court' (1992) and 'Elizabeth I' (2003).

Review :
'This is a penetrating and colourful study of the mid-Tudor Court. Loades has responded to both the revived interest in Edwardian and Marian politics and the current fascination with the Court to explore and demonstrate the role of the royal home as a political arena and the heart of government. He also provides fresh, stimulating and important assessments of Philip, Elizabeth and other focal figures.' "Michael Graves, University of Auckland" " '...an excellent survey of the most difficult period of Tudor history.' '...well worth reading for those with an interest in Tudor England, or more broadly, Renaissance monarchy in Europe.' "Victoria Stater, American Historical Review, February 2006"