Blood, Fire & Gold

The Story of Elizabeth I & Catherine de Medici

By: Estelle Paranque

Narrated by: Anna Wilson-Jones

A beautifully thorough examination into the complicated relationship between Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici, two of the most powerful women in Renaissance Europe who shaped each other as well as the course of history.

Sixteenth-century Europe was a hostile world dominated by court politics and patriarchal structures–and yet against all odds, two women rose to power: Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici. Much has been written about these shrewd and strategic sovereigns, but though their l legacies have been heavily scrutinized, nothing has been said of their complicated relationship—thirty years of camaraderie, competition, and conflict that forever changed the face of Europe.

In Blood, Fire, and Gold, historian Estelle Paranque offers a new way of looking at two of history's most powerful women: through the eyes of the other. Whether engaged in bloody battles or peaceful accords, Elizabeth and Catherine admired the force and resilience of the other, while never forgetting that they were, first and foremost, each other's true rival.

This is a story of love and rivalry, of war and wisdom, and—above all else—of the courage and sacrifice it takes to secure and sustain power as a woman in a male-dominated world.

**SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE, "10 BEST HISTORY BOOKS OF 2022"**

**HISTORY TODAY, "BOOKS OF THE YEAR (2022)"**

Critic reviews

A Times' "Book of the Week"

"England’s Elizabeth I and France’s Catherine de’ Medici were powerful rulers during an era when women’s lives were often restricted to the domestic sphere. In this dual biography, historian Paranque (Elizabeth I of England Through Valois Eyes) explores the rise and reign of these two powerful Renaissance queens, including the ways in which their lives intersected through both diplomacy and conflict... Paranque makes extensive use of primary sources, including letters between the two queens, to illustrate their similarities and differences, as well as their ongoing rivalry. Narrator Anna Wilson-Jones’s crisply enunciated English accent is an excellent fit for the narrative, and she maintains a steady pace throughout the book, drawing listeners into the courtly intrigue and treachery. VERDICT: An excellent choice for both history buffs and listeners who are interested in feminist history and the lives of women rulers."—Library Journal

"A story told with verve and passion... a marvelous story of a relationship between two powerful women in an age when females were believed to be unsuited to the exercise of government."
—The Times (UK)

"An alternative and engaging biography of the great Tudor Queen"
—The Telegraph (UK)

Great book.

Well written well read. Great book. Learned new info from primary sources included in book. Hope Author writes more.

Queens

A good book; learned some new things about the queens that I didn’t know but happy to learn.

Wonderful!

I was familiar with the history of both Queens, but I learned a lot of new things here! And the narration is delightful!

Very informative book.

I have read many books on this era, and about some of the royals, etc. This author was very detailed, and I learned things I had never heard of before. Highly recommend this book to history lovers!

An interesting comparison

You do need to already know a bit of background to put this all into context. Having that myself I found this is a really interesting way of comparing and juxtaposing these two queens in the time of their tandem reigns. Excellent way of taking a few minor fictional liberties on a nonfiction book.