Evening star., 1948-12-05

Takes Another
Look at History
ELIZABETH, CAPTIVE
PRINCESS
BY Margaret Irwin. (Harcourt,
Brace: 49,
Reviewed by
CARTER BROOKE JONES.
The block was a convenient
device in the "merrie England"
of 400 years ago. 1t was a spot
to stop vexatious questions of
succession that often troubled
monarchs none too sure of their
right to the throne or of their
popularity. It was place to rid
the royal court of favorites who had
become somewhat less than that
to settle intrigues and brewing
rebellions. And the Tower of
London was a good stopping place
between favor and the block, a
haven where foes could be kept
until a king made up his mind or
the enemies died of old age.
At the time, in the middle OF
the 18th century, when Elizabeth,
Ia daughter of Henry VIII, was
emerging from girlhood, the block
and the Tower were much in use.
King Harry" had used it to dis
pose Of surplus wives and OF their
lovers, actual or suspected. In one
of his tantrums at the alleged con-
duct of two of his numerous wives
Elizabeth's mother, Anne Boleyn
and Catherine of Aragon, mother
of Elizabeth's half sister Mary
Henry declared both daughters Ill
Legitimate. Later he repented and
placed them in the line Of sue
cession, but only after his son
Edward should have reigned.
Edward did not live long. Mean
while, he had come under the in
f1uence of the notorious Dudley,
Duke of Northumberland. After
Edwards death, Dudley contrived to
put Lady Jane Grey, a granddaugh-
ter Of one Of King Henry's sisters,
on the throne. But poor little Jane,
who never wanted to be queen,
hardly got used to wearing the
crown jewels. Dudley had set out
to lure Mary and Elizabeth to the
Tower and the block. But Eliza
beth feigned illness. Mary, the
elder sister by 18 years, fed to the
wods, gathered her followers,
stormed back to London and seized
the throne. Lady Jane and Dudley
and a lot of others soon found the
headsman awaiting them.
Sequel to young Bess."
But Elizabeth, the sprightly girl
with fame-colored hair, seemed
more popular with the people than
Queen Mary. And it was a ques-
ton whether Mary would let Eliza
beth live. They'd always been fond
of each other, but q little thing
like family relationship counted for
nothing against the throne or any
sort of power. Substitute some
fanatical theology for the throne
and the same sort Of violence may
be found today.
Miss Irwin has written a fascinat-
ing sequel to Young Bess," the
story of Elizabeth's girlhood. "Eliz-
abeth, Captive Princess" deals with
the few days Jane was queen, the
coup that brought Mary to the
throne, and the period when Eliza
beth was in and out of favor with
her half-sister. Elizabeth spent a
long time in the Tower, wondering
each night whether the executione1
would be waiting for her next
morning. The book ends with the
marriage of Mary to Philip of Spain
and their ruthless retaliation against
those who had plotted to oust Mary
Elizabeth finally was released.
Vivid and Exciting.
In . day when the historical novel
has been cheapened and much
overdone as q type Of fiction, this
story could well serve as a model of
how to make history vivid and excit-
ing without resort to pulp writing or
sensationalism. Miss Irwin gives
the feeling that all her figures were
human beings. despite their en-
tanglement in the melodramas Of the
court. Elizabeth emerges as a fear
less girl. with a certain wild charm
and a dagger-sharp wit. Even Mary
whom people called Bloody Mary
engenders some sympathy, as a
queen who started out to be con-
ciliatory and had cruelty more or
less forced on her by the ways OF
her era. The religious differences
that split England into fierce feuds,
and the game Of power that Spain
and France played. with England as
prize, are wei developed. The writ
ing is distinguished.
One may look forward to the next
book in Miss Irwin's saga. when
Elizabeth will be queen. elizabeth,
Captive Princess" is Literary