The Queene’s Christmas
Read The Queene’s Christmas Online
Authors: Karen Harper
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OUTSTANDING PRAISE FOR KAREN HARPER’S ELIZABETH I MYSTERIES
“Tudor England’s answer to V I. Warshawski.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Harpers facility with historical figures is extraordinary.”
—Los Angeles Times
THE QUEENE’S CHRISTMAS
“Wonderful historical detail mixed with intrigue … A real treat for those who enjoy historical mysteries.”
—Booklist
“Nicely blends intrigue, humor, and period detail.”
—Wall Street Journal
THE THORNE MAZE
“Brilliantly plotted and authentically detailed.”
—Booklist
“The novels true pleasure is the re-creation of Elizabeth Is court, the manners of the day, the fetes, the sumptuous clothes, all of which Harper brings wonderfully alive.”
—Miami Herald
“Harper is to be commended for keeping to what we know about Tudor history … and for making the factions of Elizabeth’s court clearer than many history books have done.”
—Chicago Tribune
“A wonderful web of drama and deceit that would make Shakespeare envious … This is great stuff.”
—Toronto Globe and Mail
THE QUEENE’S CURE
“A neatly plotted mystery with genuinely terrifying scenes.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Fully rounded, sometimes baroque, but always engaging … The plot quickens to the very end/'
—Booklist
“Superb … a winner.”
“Based on historical fact,
The Queene’s Cure
is an Elizabethan fans delight… [with] several red herrings that will delight the hearts of mystery lovers.”
THE TWYLIGHT TOWER
“Harpers exquisite mastery of the period, lively dialogue, energetic plot, devious characters, and excellent rendition of the willful queen make this a pleasure for fans of historical mysteries,”
—Library Journal
“The sleuthing is fun, but what makes
The Twylight Tower
comparable to the fine works of Allison Weir is the strong writing of the author.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Exciting … and as cleverly crafted as only Karen Harper can be … A hugely appealing and fast-paced tale that keeps the reader satisfied and yearning for more.”
THE TIDAL POOLE
“A nice mix of historical and fictional characters, deft twists and a plucky, engaging young heroine enhances this welcome sequel.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Harper delivers high drama and deadly intrigue … She masterfully captures the Elizabethan tone in both language and setting … Elizabethan history has never been this appealing.”
—Newsday
THE POYSON GARDEN
“Impressively researched … The author has her poisons and her historical details down pat.”
—Los Angeles Times
“Intoxicating … Whether you love history, romance, adventure, or mystery, you will be intrigued by this view of Elizabeth as queen and as a brilliant detective.”
—Romantic Times
AN ELIZABETH I MYSTERY
The Queene’s Christmas
KAREN HARPER
NOTE:
If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book”
THE QUEENE’S CHRISTMAS
Copyright © 2003 by Karen Harper.
Excerpt from
The Lyre Mirror
copyright © 2004 by Karen Harper.
Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I,
The Darnley Portrait
, by Federico Zuccaro Courtesy of The National Portrait Gallery
“Banquetting Scene” © Ancient Art & Architecture Collection Ltd.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information address St. Martins Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, NewYork, NY 10010.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2003046822
ISBN: 0-312-99472-9
EAN: 80312-99472-3
Printed in the United States of America
St. Martins Press hardcover edition / October 2003
St. Martins Paperbacks edition / November 2004
St. Martins Paperbacks are published by St. Martins Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
For my family, with whom I have shared many a happy Christmas,
especially my mother, Margaret Kurtz,
and husband, Don.
And to many more to come!
Earlier Events in Elizabeth’s Life
1533 Henry VIII marries Anne Boleyn, January 25. Elizabeth born at Greenwich Palace, September 7.
1536 Anne Boleyn executed in Tower of London. Elizabeth disinherited from crown. Henry marries Jane Seymour.
1537 Prince Edward born. Queen Jane dies of childbed fever.
1541 Unlawful Games Act bans sporting activities and some Yule customs at Christmas.
1544 Act of Succession and Henry VIII’s will establish Mary and Elizabeth in line to throne.
1547 Henry VIII dies. Edward VI crowned.
1551 Holy Days and Fasting Days Act. Strict Sunday and worship laws passed.
1553 Queen Mary (Tudor) I crowned. Tries to force England back to Catholicism; gives Margaret Stewart, Tudor cousin, precedence over Elizabeth. Queen Mary weds Prince Philip of Spain by proxy.
1554 Protestant Wyatt Rebellion fails, but Elizabeth sent to Tower for two months, accompanied by Kat Ashley.
1558 Mary dies; Elizabeth succeeds to throne, November 17. Elizabeth appoints William Cecil Secretary of State; Robert Dudley made Master of the Queens Horse.
1558 Elizabeth crowned in Westminster Abbey, January 15. Parliament urges queen to marry, but she resists. Mary, Queen of Scots becomes Queen of France at accession of her young husband, Francis II.
1560 Death of Francis II of France makes his young Catholic widow, Mary, Queen of Scots, a danger as Elizabeth s unwanted heir. Elizabeth names Earl of Sussex Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
1561 Now widowed, Mary, Queen of Scots returns to Scotland. In London, St. Pauls Cathedral roof and spire burn.
1564 Earl of Sussex returns from Ireland to royal court in May.
