These sweeping, lavishly illustrated biographies of influential Renaissance figures draw on the most recent and authoritative scholarship available. The dawn of the Renaissance reintroduced classical learning, advanced scientific thought. and humanist ideals to a Europe that had been plagued by war, disease, tyranny, and superstition. Driven by the rediscovery of Greek and Roman texts lost during the barbarian invasions of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance era was characterized by tremendous artistic, scientific, economic, and political development. All of these astonishing developments influenced the leaders and artists of the time. The six books in this extraordinary series provide a solid and fascinating survey of the Renaissance and bring the creative environment of that time to life. Thought of as either remote and steely or as an ethereal unworldly spirit of virtue, Elizabeth I was a far more vibrant, passionate, intelligent, and above all, human figure. This riveting book introduces the reader to the real Queen Elizabeth, the one who demonstrated savvy and persuasiveness in consolidating her tenuous power and convincing reluctant nobles that a young, inexperienced woman could rule the nation without the help of any man. Elizabeth ushered in England's Golden Age, fostering the arts, encouraging voyages of discovery, and making England the dominant economic and military force in all of Europe.