The Tudor Court: Books I-III contains revealing and intimate portraits of three men at the very heart of Queen Elizabeth's court.

The Queen's Favourite

Robert Dudley is remembered for being the black-hearted villain who beguiled Elizabeth Tudor and almost convinced her to marry him.

But there was so much more to this notorious courtier. Follow Robert throughout his life, from his beginnings as a young boy in thrall to his father's ambitions, to his disgrace and imprisonment under Mary Tudor and finally to his meteoric rise to favour and power when Elizabeth came to the throne.

The Queen's Rebel

When Robert Dudley died, Elizabeth Tudor was an old and lonely woman.

But into her life swaggered Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex, a handsome young man with a passion for fame and glory.

But in Elizabeth's England, there is room for only one shining star. Elizabeth loves Essex dearly as long as he stays a subject, but will she forgive his attempt to seize her throne and steal England from her?

Essex believed his rebellion was bound to succeed. But he hadn't counted on Elizabeth Tudor's instinct for survival.

The Queen's Spymaster

Sixteenth-century England was a dangerous place, full of religious discord and turmoil. A Protestant queen was a vulnerable target and the persecuted Catholics of England joined forces with their European brothers to aim their daggers at Elizabeth's heart.

But there was one man who was determined to keep his queen safe, a man for whom deception and secrecy became a way of life and method of survival.

Under Francis Walsingham's careful handling, England came to have the most efficient spy service ever known. No Catholic or rebel could sleep soundly anymore.

Sir Francis Walsingham was always listening.