Michael O’Mara to publish new biography of Elizabeth I

Michael O’Mara Books is to publish Young Elizabeth: Princess, Prisoner, Queen by Dr Nicola Tallis, the first fully comprehensive biography of the young Elizabeth I in over 20 years.  

Louise Dixon, senior editorial director, acquired world English language rights from Donald Winchester at Watson, Little Ltd. Young Elizabeth will publish on 22nd February 2024.  

Drawing on a rich variety of primary sources from both Elizabeth herself and those closest to her during her tumultuous youth, it charts Elizabeth’s turbulent and unstable upbringing, providing an “extensive and thorough study” of the Virgin Queen’s perilous journey to the crown at age 25, the publisher said.  

Dr Tallis explores the dangers and tragedies that plagued Elizabeth’s early life, including the brutal beheading of her mother, Anne Boleyn, just shy of Elizabeth’s third birthday, her relegation to the title of bastard shortly afterwards and, after losing several stepmothers, the predatory attentions from her stepfather, which ultimately drove a wedge between Elizabeth and her beloved stepmother, Katherine Parr.  

Dr Tallis said: “The story of Elizabeth’s youth is one of passion, dangerous uncertainty, fear and, ultimately, triumph, all set against the backdrop of the schemes and machinations of Tudor England. It has been both a great privilege and a huge thrill to have had the opportunity to write about the girl Elizabeth once was, following her life before the woman and iconic queen that she became.” 

Dixon added: "It’s hard to comprehend the tragedies and brutality Elizabeth faced from her very earliest days. As ever, Nicola Tallis manages to bring the drama and intrigue at the Tudor court to brilliant and vivid life while also revealing the true nature of this remarkable woman, who battled against these hardships and triumphed in a man’s world.”