According to Neale’s text, multiple suitors of Queen Elizabeth viewed their courtship as a divine duty and or social obligation. Was this the common sentiment of nobility in the Elizabethan era or simply a literary device employed by the author to enhance narration? In fact, is it more accurate to assert that all of Elizabeth’s suitors were motivated by naked ambition? By being strong willed woman, who was in the right place at the right time, she was able to blunt their advances with her own ambition. She was also acutely aware that Mary’s biggest mistake was her marriage. Aside: Was there truly wagering taking place as to who would marry Elizabeth amongst the commoners? This seems like a 20 century phenomenon used to drive the plot. Wouldn’t
