The daughter of the ruthless King Henry VIII, Elizabeth's rule was perilous. Surrounded by religious unrest, Elizabeth proved a shrewd and ruthless leader, executing rivals and even members of her own family. She led her country to victory against the Spanish Armada and her reign heralded an English Golden Age. The speech bubbles and strip cartoon-style illustrations of the graphic novel create a dynamic format that encourages readers to engage with the characters and get involved in the story. The opening pages provide historical context about the political turmoil in sixteenth-century Europe, and the troubled past of the Royal House of Tudor. The closing pages explain what happened when Elizabeth was succeeded by King James VI of Scotland, the subsequent Gunpowder plot and how the legacy of 'Good Queen Bess' survives even to this day. It features a glossary, index and recommended further reading. It supports Key Stage 2 History: 'A study of Tudor England', and helps achieve the goals of the Scottish Standard Curriculum 5-14, promoting 'positive attitudes to learning', 'knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the world' and 'skills in literacy'.
