MacCaffrey, Wallace T.Elizabeth I. Routledge, 1993. History as high politics: religion, finance, relations with parliament, and above all, foreign affairs.
Somerset, Anne.Elizabeth I. Knopf, 1991; Anchor, 2003., An enlightening and instructive introduction to Elizabeth and her reign.
Strachey, Lytton.Elizabeth and Essex. Harcourt, 1928, 1969, 2003. Vivid examination of love and power in the Tudor court.
Weir, Alison.The Life of Elizabeth I. Ballantine, 1998, 1999. Well-researched biography from an acclaimed biographer of the Tudor period.
For younger readers
Green, Robert.Queen Elizabeth I. Franklin Watts, 1997. For readers in grades 4 to 8.