Elizabeth I of England through Valois eyes: power, diplomacy and representation, 1568-1588

Representations of Elizabeth have largely been used to either glorify or excoriate the English queen. Most scholarly attention has sought merely to review perceptions of Elizabeth among her countrymen. This research takes a new approach. It goes beyond English images of the Tudor queen and tries to examine how Elizabeth was viewed by the French royal family, often through the lens of diplomats who were the eyes and ears of the French king and queen, at key periods during her reign. Through diplomatic reports sent by the French ambassador to the English court, as well as via letters exchanged between Catherine of Medici, King Charles IX, King Henry III, and successive French ambassadors, this research will reveal new facets of the Tudor queen’s character and reputation as well as highlighting the dynamics of Anglo-French relations and the balance of power inside and outside the English borders