To do this through the whole of the events of a long and important reign would be beyond the powers of an ordinary student, and the attempt would probably end in confusion. I have therefore considered it best to limit myself in this book to one set of negotiations, those which relate to the Queen’s proposed marriage, running through many years of her reign: and I trust that, however imperfectly my task may have been effected, the facts set forth may enable the reader to perceive more clearly than hitherto, that capricious, even frivolous, as the Queen’s methods appear to be, her main object was rarely neglected or lost sight of during the long continuance of these negotiations. That a strong modern England was rendered possible mainly by the boldness, astuteness, and activity of Elizabeth at the critical turning-point of European history is generally admitted; but how masterly her policy was, and how entirely personal to herself, is even yet perhaps not fully understood. I have therefore endeavoured in this book to follow closely from end to end one strand only of the complicated texture, in the hope that I may succeed by this means in exhibiting the general process by which England, under the guidance of the great Tudor Queen, was able to emerge regenerated and triumphant from the struggle which was to settle the fate of the world for centuries to come. MARTIN A. S. HUME. LONDON, _February, 1896_. [Illustration] [Illustration] LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. QUEEN ELIZABETH _Frontispiece_ _Facing page_ THOMAS, LORD SEYMOUR OF SUDELEY 10 ROBERT DUDLEY, EARL OF LEICESTER 64 HENRY DE VALOIS, DUKE OF ANJOU (HENRY III.) 128 FRANÇOIS DE VALOIS DUKE OF ALENÇON 272 [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER I. Character of Elizabeth and her contemporaries--Main object of her policy--Youth of Elizabeth--The Duke of Angoulême-- Philip of Spain--Seymour and Catharine Parr--Mrs. Ashley’s and Parry’s confessions--Execution of Seymour--Proposed marriage of Elizabeth with a son of the Duke of Ferrara-- With a son of Hans Frederick of Saxony--Courtney--Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy--Prince Eric of Sweden--Death of Queen Mary--The Earl of Arundel.