Encased in steel, surrounded by highly explosive shells, a big and slow-moving target, every crew member was utterly vulnerable to enemy attack from all sides. This also allowed me to learn more about Catherine life and what was going on at the same time in their respective lives.

There are areas where the author has built dialogue between key historical figures, based on records of their meetings and the outcomes of them.Francis II died of an ear infection at the end of that year, and Mary left France for Scotland in 1561. I learned so much about Elizabeth I that I hadn't learned in other biographies, and it also sparked my interest in Catherine De Medici and her children. At a time when women were given no voice at all and were considered, in every aspect, as less than men, these two lead armies, squashed rebellions and shaped Kingdoms.

But she supported the Huguenots in the eight religious civil wars in France between 1562 and 1593, which of course put a strain on the relationship between the two women. From the bestselling author of Normandy ’44 and Sicily ’43 comes the untold story of the Sherwood Rangers. I thoroughly enjoyed it and if you're curious about the two women and want to learn more about them, this book is a good start!There is background on the reigns of Queen Mary of England and Catherine’s role as a queen mother in the administrations of her sons. Paranque did take written styling from Erik Larson which she indicates in the Author's note at the end of the book. In the world of politics where masculinity rules, both women showed their resilience and expertise and proved to the whole world that femininity is never a hindrance to one’s greatness.