Queen Elizabeth in the Garden : A Story of Love, Rivalry, and Spectacular Gardens

Queen Elizabeth I's great love for gardens transformed her country and made gardeners of statesmen, courtiers, and soldiers. The two most powerful men in England during Elizabeth's reign, Dudley and Cecil, led the way. Driven by their rivalry and devotion to their queen, they created ever more gorgeous gardens that amazed the world. Taking a fresh and original approach to the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth I, this book tells the incredible story of her great passion for gardens, and how the two most powerful men in England during her reign fought a decade-long duel for their queen's affections by creating lavish gardens for her. It chronicles how, in their quest to woo the queen and outdo each other, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and William Cecil, Baron of Burghley, competed for Elizabeth's favor by laying out innovative and extravagant pleasure grounds at their palaces for when she came to visit. As she played one off against the other, they created gorgeous palaces and landscapes that amazed the world. The book also describes how others in England and abroad followed Dudley's and Cecil's leads and how the queen's love of plants made gardeners of courtiers, statesmen, and soldiers. This meticulously researched account reveals how Elizabeth's enthusiasm for horticulture changed the world, encouraging gardeners and designers to create landscapes inspired by the spirit of the Elizabethan garden. Princely Pleasures -- Fireworks -- A Leave Of Absence -- Rivals -- From Princess To Queen -- Deep Desire -- 'worthy To Be Called Paradise' -- The Lady Of May -- A Melancholy Mood -- The Labyrinth -- The Herbalist -- A Second Arthur -- A Sharp Stroke -- 'paradise Is Grown Wilderness' -- Alpha And Omega -- Paradises Lost-and Remembered. Trea Martyn. First Published In Great Britain In 2008 Under The Title Elizabeth In The Garden By Faber And Faber Limited--t.p. Verso. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 301-312) And Index.