Julia Pardoe (1804 62) was famous for her historical biographies (some of which are also reissued in the Cambridge Library Collection), but this two-volume work, first published in 1837, arose from a visit to Turkey made by Pardoe and her father in 1836. It was very successful, with new editions appearing over the next twenty years, while Pardoe was considered to be second only to Lady Mary Wortley Montagu among female writers on Turkey. Attempting to give her readers 'a more just and complete insight into Turkish domestic life, than they have hitherto been enabled to obtain', in Volume 1 Pardoe describes the inhabitants of Istanbul, both the Ottoman governing elite and the expatriate community of Greeks, Italians, Russians and French, with their constant political intrigues. Her lively and observant account of life in the declining but still powerful Ottoman empire remains of great interest."

Julia Pardoe (1804 62) was famous for her historical biographies (some of which are also reissued in the Cambridge Library Collection), but this two-volume work, first published in 1837, arose from a visit to Turkey made by Pardoe and her father in 1836. It was very successful, with new editions appearing over the next twenty years, while Pardoe was considered to be second only to Lady Mary Wortley Montagu among female writers on Turkey. Attempting to give her readers 'a more just and complete insight into Turkish domestic life, than they have hitherto been enabled to obtain', in Volume 2 Pardoe travels in western Turkey, visiting Bursa, the former Ottoman capital, and encountering dervishes, hot springs and tortoises, before returning to Europe via the Black Sea and the Danube. Her lively and observant account of life in the declining but still powerful Ottoman empire remains of great interest."

This two-volume work by the historian Julia Pardoe (1804 62) was published in 1849. (Her bestselling account of life in Turkey and her biography of Marie de Medici are both also reissued in the Cambridge Library Collection.) Pardoe began writing poetry and novels, but later turned to non-fiction, especially travel narratives and historical biography. In this work, she attempts to remove the accretions of myth which have clung to Francis I and to his court. Noting the tendency of French historians to glorify the monarchs of the distant past, she observes: 'it is only by reference to the more confidential records and correspondence of the period' that the modern historian can arrive at 'a just estimate of the character and motives of the sovereign'. Volume 2 considers the tumultuous consequences of the Protestant reformation and the rivalry between France and the Habsburgs, and ends with Francis' death in 1547."

This two-volume work by the historian Julia Pardoe (1804 62) was published in 1849. (Her bestselling account of life in Turkey and her biography of Marie de Medici are both also reissued in the Cambridge Library Collection.) Pardoe began writing poetry and novels, but later turned to non-fiction, especially travel narratives and historical biography. In this work, she attempts to remove the accretions of myth which have clung to Francis I and to his court. Noting the tendency of French historians to glorify the monarchs of the distant past, she observes: 'it is only by reference to the more confidential records and correspondence of the period' that the modern historian can arrive at 'a just estimate of the character and motives of the sovereign'. Volume 1 begins with Francis' accession and its historical context, discusses his Italian wars, and ends with the death of Bayard in 1524."

This three-volume work by Julia Pardoe, the author of other books on French royalty, was originally published in 1852. In astonishing detail the books describe the colourful and controversial life of Marie de Medicis, who in 1600 married Henry IV of France after his marriage to Marguerite de Valois had been annulled to make way for this dynastic alliance. The consort's life both before and after her marriage was one of flamboyant living, political intrigue and gossip. The work is a complex biography, full of information on every detail of a remarkable life at the centre of European politics. Each volume is illustrated and annotated with references to original documents. Volume 2 covers the period in which the assassination of the king in 1610 led to Marie's regency on behalf of her son, Louis XIII. For more information on this author, see http: //orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=pardj

This three-volume work by Julia Pardoe, the author of other books on French royalty, was originally published in 1852. In astonishing detail the books describe the colourful and controversial life of Marie de Medicis, who in 1600 married Henry IV of France after his marriage to Marguerite de Valois had been annulled to make way for this dynastic alliance. The consort's life both before and after her marriage was one of flamboyant living and political intrigue. The work is a complex biography, full of information on every detail of a remarkable life at the centre of European politics. Each volume is illustrated and annotated with references to original documents. This last volume describes events including Louis' assertion of royal authority, the rise to power and influence of Cardinal Richelieu, and finally Marie's death in 1642. For more information on this author, see http: //orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=pardj