An excellent history of the relationship between Elizabeth, the Virgin queen, and the most important man in her life, Robert, the Earl of Leicester . Gristwood does a fine job integrating scholarship with romance. Not at all a romance novel, but answers the oft asked question, what is the importance of sex in politics? Elizabeth managed/manipulated her court with a tight hand. She may dole out treats one day then, then slap the reaching hand the next. Her courtiers were all her pawns and she played the game better than perhaps anyone before or since. Leister, her Robin, her eyes, received honors above all others, yet she banished him from court on several occasions.
A well researched and provocative book covering most of Eliabeth I's reign, focused through the matrix of romance, sex and courtly love. A definite keeper.
I give it a full 5 stars.

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