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English History Sparks In Story Of Elizabeth

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By BOB D'ANGELO

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 1, 2008

"The Lady Elizabeth," by Alison Weir (Ballantine Books, $25)

"History is full of wonderful stories and amazing characters," Alison Weir writes on her Web site.

Already an accomplished writer of English medieval history, Weir has the talent of breathing life into those stories and characters that is apparent again in her second novel. Armed with meticulous research, Weir fills in the gaps with dialogue that crackles with intensity.

There is plenty of intrigue in "The Lady Elizabeth." In her story, set in England during the final years of Henry VIII's reign, Weir takes the reader through the politics and events that led his daughter, Elizabeth, to the throne in 1558.

Elizabeth is a precocious child, loved by her father. As a youth she has a loving relationship with her half-sister, but that becomes strained after Mary Tudor ascends to the throne and the two clash over religious beliefs.

The most controversial part of the book is Weir's portrayal of Elizabeth's relationship with Thomas Seymour, the husband of her stepmother, Katherine Parr (who also was the final wife of Henry VIII). Weir argues that what transpired between the two is a matter of record, but the incidents are certainly eyebrow raisers.

When the scene demands it, Weir does not shrink. The love scenes in "The Lady Elizabeth" are descriptive and certainly not dry.

For readers who enjoy history with suspense thrown in, Weir delivers a neat package.

She is able to take complicated subjects, sort them out but stay true to historical fact. It's a dynamite combination.

Bob D'Angelo is a Tribune sports copy editor.

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