The Stolen Crown

In The Stolen Crown, acclaimed royal historian Tracy Borman delves into the tumultuous succession between Elizabeth I and James VI of Scotland, a pivotal moment that not only marked the end of the Tudor dynasty but also set the stage for the Stuart era in 1603. Challenging the long-accepted narrative attributed to Elizabeth’s first biographer, William Camden, Borman reveals that his manuscript has been altered to portray James as her chosen heir, while evidence suggests that Elizabeth never formally named him and that James harbored ambitions that could have threatened her reign. Through this fresh examination, Borman explores the rivalries and uncertainties surrounding Elizabeth's legacy and the profound implications for British history, especially concerning the subsequent reign of James' son, Charles I.