This book is a scholarly, comprehensive, and critical biography of Nicholas II from his birth in 1868 to his execution in 1918. It features a chronological narrative emphasizing the political aspects of the Tsar's reign rather than details from his personal life--although new information about his life is revealed. Nicholas II is portrayed as a conscientious and reasonably intelligent ruler whose reign was marred by inept statesmanship and a stubborn determination to uphold the autocratic tradition of the Romanov dynasty even though he was forced to grant major political concessions in 1905. His imprudent foreign policy in East Asia precipitated a losing war with Japan. But a more cautious policy in Europe nevertheless involved Russia in a far greater conflict in 1914 that resulted in enormous casualties, economic hardship, and the collapse of the monarchy in 1917. As an individual, Nicholas was gentle and benevolent (except towards political dissidents) and proved to be a good husband and father. The serenity of his family life was disrupted by his son and heir's hemophilia, and the ensuing Rasputin scandal impaired the Tsar's image and contributed to his unpopularity. A final chapter examines his legacy and provides a theory of revolutionary causation.

Was Elizabeth I worshipped by her subjects? Many twentieth-century scholars have suggested that the Virgin Queen was a cult-figure who replaced the Virgin Mary. But how could this be in a Protestant state officially opposed to idolatry? Helen Hackett examines these issues through readings of a wide variety of Elizabethan texts. She traces some of the cross-currents in Elizabethan culture, and considers both Elizabeth and the Virgin Mary in terms of the history of representations of gender, sexuality and power.

Never before have the women of the Capetian royal dynasty in France been the subject of a study in their own right. The new research in Capetian Women challenges old paradigms about the restricted roles of royal women, uncovering their influence in social, religious, cultural, and even political spheres. The scholars in the volume consider medieval chroniclers' responses to the independent actions of royal women as well as modern historians' use of them as vehicles for constructing the past. The essays also delineate the creation of reginal identity through cultural practices such as religious patronage and the commissioning of manuscripts, tomb sculpture, and personal seals.

In one of the more sudden shifts of perspective, and hotly contested controversies of recent historical and literary scholarship, the view of Johnson has been fundamentally changed. This volume offers the richest account of what has been achieved, and points to the new directions in which scholarship is developing. It is essential reading for all concerned with 18th-century studies.

This is the first study of noblewomen in 12th-century England and Normandy, and of the ways in which they exercised power. It draws on a rich mix of evidence to offer an important reconceptualization of women's role in aristocratic society, and in doing so suggests new ways of looking at lordship and the ruling elite in the high middle ages. The book considers a wide range of literary sources such as chronicles, charters, seals and governmental records to draw out a detailed picture of noblewomen in the 12th-century Anglo-Norman realm. It asserts the importance of the lifecycle in determining the power of these aristocratic women, thereby demonstrating that the influence of gender on lordship was profound, complex and varied.

The history of many of the great houses and families of Scotland are well documented in literature, and by clan associations and individuals on the Internet. The family of Lundie (Lundy, Lundin, Lundyn) is described, by Sir Robert Douglas in his Baronage, as one of the most ancient in Scotland; its history however up until now is almost un-documented. Most lists of Scottish Clans and families seem to omit this family. The few books that do include details; with one notable exception, Lundins of Fife, by G. T. Welsh; provide very little information. In fact the short paper by Welsh is the only text so far printed that was solely dedicated to this family's history. This lack of documentation of the Lundie family is quite remarkable given, as shall be discussed in full later, the fact that members of this family have occupied many high offices in Scotland; including those of Lord High Treasurer, Chancellor, Chamberlain, Hereditary Doorward (personal body guard to the King), and Member of the Council of Regents of the Kingdom.They have performed duties as hosts, ambassadors and representatives of the Sovereign; voted for Wallace as Protector of Scotland, fighting by his side in Scotland's fight for Independence; and played an important role in the reformation of the church in Scotland. Indeed many of the heads of "Great" families of Scotland, have direct descent from this house through marriage with daughters of the various branches of the Lundie family. By taking what has been written by historians so far, it has really only been through reading the histories of these other families and noting their intermarriage with Lundies, that one could form an idea of their high social standing and historical importance.

Throughout the pages of Memories, you will find adversities and courage, and see how decisions shaped the lives of the individuals who lived these memories. This book will make you laugh and cry, but in the end it will bring you encouragement.