In this compelling account of Elizabeth I's attempts at marriage, Susan Doran argues that the cult of the "Virgin Queen" was invented by her ministers and that Elizabeth was in reality a frustrated, would-be wife forced into celibacy by political necessity.

Doran examines in detail the different suits for Elizabeth's hand, from childhood until 1581 when she was considered too old for childbearing and consequently for marriage. Contrary to conventional thinking, Elizabeth took each of her suitors seriously--including Robert Dudley, Archduke Charles of Austria, Charles IX of France, Henry of Anjou, and Francis, Duke of Alencon and Anjou--and did not choose to remain single. Her courtships foundered on political and religious difficulties which divided her council.