The Queenmaker
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On a cold winter's day in the year 1532, a twelve-year-old girl leaves her run-down home in the country and travels south to London. Her name is Bess Hardwick — and this is only the beginning of an astonishing foray into the glittering world of royalty and politics. Married young to her beloved, but sickly, Robert Barlow, Bess learns at the age of twelve what it is to be a widow and alone in the world. She would not take another husband for fourteen years — and he would not be her last. Enriched and advanced by her successive marriages, Bess finds herself increasingly part of exalted company.
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When she asks the disgraced Lady Elizabeth Tudor to act as godmother to her firstborn son, those around her question the wisdom of her decision. However, Bess knows that Elizabeth is bound for greatness and one day she will remember this act of kindness. As she moves from obscurity to fame and fortune, Bess counts the Queen of England and the Queen of Scots as her closest acquaintances.
But having such powerful friends can be dangerous. Her actions are subject to intense scrutiny, and more than once innocent decisions lead to suspicions of treason and the ever looming threat of execution. In spite of this, Bess prevails time and time again, turning her hand and accumulating wealth to rebuilding estates across England.
But with her granddaughter descended from royal blood on both sides, Bess's ambitions have reached new heights and she seeks to have her officially named as the successor to Elizabeth I's throne.
In times to come, she dreams, they will call her The Queenmaker...
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