Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Louisa Stuart Costello (1799 1870) was a poet and artist who supported her family with her paintings. As well as writing a number of historical novels, Costello researched and wrote the biographies of many prominent women, using their letters and diaries to tell their extraordinary stories. This first volume chronicles the lives of seven women including Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury (Bess of Hardwick), whose husband was the jailor to Mary, Queen of Scots. It includes letters written by Bess and those around her, including Queen Mary, whom Bess saw as a rival for her husband's affections. These letters provide an insider view of the day-to-day life of a shrewd political strategist. Also covered are the lives of Catherine Grey and Arabella Stuart, who were rivals for the English throne. For more information on this author, see http: //orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=costlo

Louisa Stuart Costello (1799 1870) was a poet and artist who supported her family with her paintings. As well as writing a number of historical novels, Costello researched and wrote the biographies of many prominent women, using their letters and diaries to tell their extraordinary stories. This second volume chronicles the lives of eight women including Lucy Harrington, a literary patron who was a friend of John Donne and a muse to Ben Jonson. Also featured is the life of Frances Howard, who was accused of the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury, who she saw as an obstacle to her marriage to Robert Carr, a favourite of King James. She was a public hate figure described as a 'murderous, syphilitic sorceress', and was found guilty of the killing and imprisoned. For more information on this author, see http: //orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=costlo

Louisa Stuart Costello (1799 1870) was a poet and artist who supported her family with her paintings. As well as writing a number of historical novels, Costello researched and wrote the biographies of many prominent women, using their letters and diaries to tell their extraordinary stories. This third volume chronicles the lives of twenty-one women including Elizabeth Cromwell, wife of the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell. Featuring letters between Elizabeth Cromwell and her husband, this biography gives a personal dimension to one of the most volatile periods in British history and covers the life of the Lady Protectress after her husband's death. Also included is an account of playwright and actress Susanna Centlivre who allegedly attended lectures at Cambridge University dressed as a man, and wrote numerous well-received comic plays. For more information on this author, see http: //orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=costlo

Louisa Stuart Costello (1799 1870) was a poet and artist who supported her family with her paintings. As well as writing a number of historical novels, Costello researched and wrote the biographies of many prominent women, using their letters and diaries to tell their extraordinary stories. This fourth volume chronicles the lives of two women; politician and courtier Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, and poet and satirist Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, was the close confidante of Queen Anne, and her memoirs offer a detailed picture of the rise and decline of the long friendship between two women at the centre of political life. Lady Mary was an intrepid traveller, an early advocate of inoculation for smallpox, and a feminist poet who had a bitter feud with Alexander Pope. For more information on this author, see http: //orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=costlo