The Courtships of Queen Elizabeth a History of the Various Negotiations for Her Marriage

Many suitors, driven by love, social-climbing or politics came close. See how and why she remained the Virgin Queen. That a strong modern England was rendered possible mainly by the boldness, astuteness, and activity of Elizabeth at the critical turning-point of European history is generally admitted; but how masterly her policy was, and how entirely personal to herself, is even yet perhaps not fully understood.