I wanted to take some time to share one of the books that has been invaluable in my understanding not only of queen Elizabeth but in helping me with quotations about the world before her and the world she shaped. If you’re looking for anything about the court this might be the best text to look at

Weir, Alison. The life of Elizabeth I. New York Ballantine Books 1998

The life of Elizabeth I is just what its title says, it looks at the life of Elizabeth. I mostly focused on the first section of the book which deals with her childhood but the story does all the way up to the day she died. The book traces the intrigue and turmoil that accrued at court. It tries to answer questions like: why did she never marry? Did she really remain a virgin? And who where her love interests? It also has iconic imagery of many of the court and important officials at the time.