Blood, Fire & Gold: The Story of Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici

by Estelle Paranque

Book Review: Blood, Fire & Gold: The Story of Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici by Estelle Paranque

Estelle Paranque’s Blood, Fire & Gold is a dual biography of two of history’s most formidable women: Elizabeth I of England and Catherine de Medici of France. Amazingly, these two women, during the same era, held power for rival countries. Their lives were intertwined via politics and with the shared determination to overcome the burden of wielding power in a male-dominated world. Paranque exposes the challenges Elizabeth and Catherine faced in coping with the male power players and how the women shaped the political landscape via several major themes.

Major Themes

  1. Women in Power -Sixteenth century Europe questioned the right of these women to exercise power based solely on their gender. Both defied societal expectations, proved to be shrewd leaders and political strategists (even as their authority was undermined) and were deft at handling the males of their Courts. Could one say they redefined leadership? At least temporarily as once they passed, the power reverted quickly to the male dominated structures. Paranque provides many observations of this struggle with few new assessments.
  2. Diplomatic Rivalry – Using diplomatic correspondence, Paranque reveals the tense, precarious and unavoidably intertwined relationship between Elizabeth and Catherine as they navigated the conflicting interests of religious allegiances, national security and personal motivations (marriage negotiations between Elizabeth and a Valois heir showcase all of these issues). 
  3. Religious Conflict– Neither Queen can be separated from her role in her country’s religious conflicts and using religion to consolidate power.  Paranque covers Catherine’s part in the French Wars of Religion in detail, while implying more of Elizabeth’s religious policies impact on her reign –cue the Spanish Armada.
  4. Resilience – Both women are survivors whose personal lives took a toll on them.  Paranque attempts to show the human side to her subjects yet sources available are too official—their resolve and ambitions usually emerged more as leaders.  This reviewer prefers non-fiction to provide only what contemporary informers can relay.  Yes they were betrayed, their power threatened and their vulnerabilities exposed but keep speculation out of the narrative.


  5. Legacy – Catherine’s identity as the mother of kings and Elizabeth’s as the ‘Virgin Queen’ reflect how both endured and adapted with these different approaches to their legacies in the time-frame of 16th Century Europe. These, shall we say ‘political images’, have shaped their reputations for centuries through concentrated effort on the Queens’ part and Paranque could have further highlighted how their choices shaped their legacies and the perceptions of their reigns.

Critique

Paranque’s research appears thorough with available primary sources and extensive use of secondary sources.  Her narrative style is what gives pause to this reviewer.  Although she “begs readers to forgive me for having taken some liberties to make the story more compelling” this reviewer cannot.  There can be no more compelling stories than those of Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici. Non-fiction titles do not need and should not have, “dialogues and conversations created…” nor thoughts or scenes embellished with adjectives or adverbs which we do not know as the truth of the historical figure.  Here are only two random examples:  Anne stared at the beautiful sight, full of awe.

Appearing sad and stern, Elizabeth walked a dozen steps toward Fénélon, pulling him by the arm….

It wasn’t just her [Catherine] life force that was leaving her; her faith and hope in the dynasty were also slipping away.

Paranque’s premise of spotlighting the rivalry between these two extraordinary women is compelling if not a ground-breaking analysis of their leadership.  This title is general enough for the interested reader who is a novice to this era, to give a clue to the overall challenges and conflicts Elizabeth and Catherine faced not only as female rulers but as adversaries. More advanced history buffs may need to read books concentrated on each woman to glean more complex analysis and avoid the ‘accessible’ style of writing. These women need to be honored for as Paranque quoted Sir Francis Bacon “They two were the only pair of female princes, from whom, for experience and arts of government, there was no less expected than from the greatest kings.”