[.ca] To Shield the Queen (ISBN 0671015311)

What really happened at Kenilworth?:
I thought that this was a very ingenious solution to one of history's mysteries. I'm surprised I hadn't encountered it in all of my reading before. I also felt that it was very descriptive of everyday living during Tudor times.

What really happened at Kenilworth?:
I thought that this was a very ingenious solution to one of history's mysteries. I'm surprised I hadn't encountered it in all of my reading before. I also felt that it was very descriptive of everyday living during Tudor times.

Hurrah, Ursula!:
When Queen Elizabeth I ruled, she dealt with her share of nasty rumors; not the least of which was her "friendship" with her Master of Horse Sir Robert (Robin) Dudley. The fact that Dudley had an ailing wife named Amy (who, unbeknowst to them in that day was suffering from breast cancer)added to the gossip. Fiona Buckley has taken this real-life scenario and turned it into a historical mystery work of fiction. It's brilliant! Our fictional narrator, Ursula Blanchard, is recently widowed and raising her young daughter Meg. She refuses to lean on her fanatical relations and instead finds herself a job as lady-in-waiting to the Queen. Her first big assignment by the Queen is to travel to Cumnor Place (the Dudley estate) and care for Dudley's sickly wife Amy. She is also going there to serve as a pawn to quell rumors that Dudley has no murderous designs on Amy, thereby ridding himself of her and leaving an opening to marry Elizabeth and gain the throne. But as Ursula cares for Amy and gains her trust, she learns that Amy indeed has valid reason to fear for her safety. Strange things are afoot at Cumnor Place, and supicious behavior by Dudley's associates give Ursula cause to spy and dig up information. When Amy sends all the servants to Abbingdon Fair, they return to find her dead in a heap at the bottom of the stairs (again, this part of history is absolutley true). The mystery thickens: was she pushed? Was she delirious from her disease and misjudged the stairs? Was she so depressed about the adulterous rumors regarding Dudley and the Queen that she sent the servants out so she could commit suicide? Or did she send the servants away to give her murderers a chance to follow through on their intents? Historically, the case was never resolved, ruled out as a horrible accident. But Ursula is not satisfied with this answer, and takes it upon herself to find out the truth. Fiona Buckley has cleverly woven the fact with well-written fiction, giving us a new heroine we love. In a time when not much value was put on women (other than serving the Queen or bearing children), Ursula is a strong-willed warrior of truth and justice. I couldn't put this book down! Each chapter ended with mysterious questions or thoughts that just begged to be learned in the following chapters. Much of my housework went to seed when I picked up this book! There are 4 more books in the Ursula series, all of which involve other real-life Queen Elizabeth experiences (i.e. the plot to remove Elizabeth and install her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, to the English throne, etc.). The series is in the order as follows: 1.) "To Shield the Queen", 2.) The Doublet Affair", 3.) "Queen's Ransom", 4.) "To Ruin a Queen", and the newest (available 12/04)5.) "Queen's Ambition".

Excellent Historical Mystery:
Coming from the perspective of a junior in high school taking British Literature, To Shield The Queen by Fiona Buckley was a fascinating as well as enlightening novel. The book is set in 1560 England under the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The story focuses on Ursula Blanchard, a recently widowed young mother who accepts employment in the Queen's court as a Lady of the Presence chamber. It quickly becomes apparent to her, as well as to the rest of the court, that the Queen is romantically interested in her Master of Horse, Sir Robin Dudley. Unfortunately, Sir Robin is still married, although Lady Dudley is very ill. To terminate any rumors that may be circulating around court, Ursula is sent by the Queen to take care of Lady Dudley. As events play out, Lady Dudley is mysteriously found dead at the bottom of the stairs after she sent all her servants away for the day. The ensuing chase by Ursula to find out the true circumstances surrounding Lady Dudley's death (murder?) leads her on a pursuit all over England. To complicate matters further, during her stay with Lady Dudley Ursula has fallen for a man who very well may be supporting the removal of Queen Elizabeth from the throne to replace her with a Catholic monarch. As this novel progressed, I became more and more impressed with the unusual strength of character that Ursula embodied. I was very surprised to read a novel set in the 16th century with a woman as a main character who was strong-willed, determined, making her own decisions, and taking care of herself; this view of women presented by Fiona Buckley was very refreshing and appreciated. For someone who usually doesn't enjoy historical literature, To Shield The Queen was a welcome exception; as opposed to dry, monotonous writing, this novel had a plot with twists at every corner and an ending that I would never have expected. Fiona Buckley never let historical inaccuracies slip into the story while creating her novel, and that extra touch shines through in her writing. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries or historical novels - it is a great story!

"a step back in time ":
and i certainly enjoyed the adventure. this was the first of this type mystery and i will read more.i read at least 50 books a month and i am always searching for new authors.