Click here for Phillipa Gregory’s review of the exhibition. In it she states “the exhibition is steered by its content, and many of the documents perpetuate the traditional contrasting of the two queens. It was in the interests of both sides to imply that the women were opposites: the Protestant, astute, controlled self-proclaimed virgin Elizabeth, and the Roman Catholic, spontaneous, emotional, fertile Mary. Although both queens struggled with religious controversy, advisers, lovers, would-be husbands, hangers-on, spies and plotters, it is Elizabeth’s papers that predominate. Her personal letters and speeches to parliament emphasise her statecraft; Mary’s courage on the battlefield and her daring escapes can only be represented by maps and sketches. As ever, it is the victor who writes the history“.
It fits beautifully with our OCR Y107 later Tudors course. It is well worth a visit.
Mr Kydd
