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The Queen's Allegiance

Much has been written about Elisabeth de Valois' mother, Catherine de Médici, as well as her younger sister, Margot, but not about her. I felt compelled to share her captivating story with the world.

 

1560. Determined to fulfill her duty as a Valois, Elisabeth marries King Felipe II of Spain, a dour man twice her age, instead of his son, Don Carlos, her original betrothed.​ Through the testing of her loyalties, not only to Felipe and Don Carlos, but to her family name, the Inquisition, and the dictates of her conscience, Elisabeth finds love, redemption, and her true identity.

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While pursuing my degree in Spanish, I studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain. During my time there, I visited El Escorial, the resting place of Elisabeth, Felipe II, and Don Carlos. But it wasn’t until happenstance led me research Elisabeth’s story years later that I knew I'd found the inspiration for my first novel.

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Elisabeth de Valois

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Life-sized funeral monument at the Monastery of San Lorenzo at El Escorial including the kneeling effigies of Felipe, Elisabeth, María Manuela (Felipe’s first wife), Anne of Austria (Felipe’s fourth wife), and Don Carlos. Mary Tudor, Felipe’s second wife, is not depicted.

Elisabeth & Felipe's Daughters, Isabella and Catalina

Elisabeth and Felipe

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