Published 15th November 2026 by Scotland Street Press.
From the cover of the book:
Brings one of Europe’s most extraordinary women back to life.
A sweeping new historical novel about James I of England’s eldest daughter, Elizabeth Stuart: the exiled queen who shaped the future of Europe
Sequel to the Queen’s Lender which won the Hawthornden Fellowship, the Lavigny International Writer’s Fellowship and was Longlisted for the HWA Debut Crown Award
Acclaimed author Jean Findlay returns with The Bohemian Queen, the sequel to the award-winning The Queen’s Lender and the second novel in her Queens of Europe series. The novel tells the remarkable story of Elizabeth Stuart - daughter of James I of England and VI of Scotland - whose brief reign as Queen of Bohemia helped ignite the catastrophic Thirty Years’ War and reshape Europe forever.
Set against the backdrop of political intrigue, religious conflict and exile, the novel leads to 1620 as Elizabeth, heavily pregnant with her fifth child, flees Prague following the Battle of White Mountain. Married to Frederick, Elector Palatine, Elizabeth had accepted the crown of Bohemia in a move that would plunge Europe into decades of war. But exile does not diminish her influence. Through court politics, diplomacy and dynastic ambition, Elizabeth continues to shape the future of Europe while giving birth to eight more children, ensuring her descendants become woven into the ruling houses of an emerging continent.
Rich in historical detail and psychological insight, The Bohemian Queen explores power, motherhood, survival and female influence during one of Europe’s most turbulent eras.
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Jean Finlay's fascinating novel, The Bohemian Queen, follows the life of Princess Elizabeth Stuart, eldest daughter of James I of England (named for her Tudor godmother Elizabeth I). This is the follow-up to Findlay's first Queens of Europe novel, set in the court of James I, but can be read as a stand-alone... which is exactly how I came to it.
Forged in the stoic Scottish Protestant court, under the tutelage of a father bent of keeping peace in Europe, Elizabeth was married to Frederick V of the Palatinate. The couple settled into a happy marriage in Heidelberg, where Elizabeth established a spectacular (and expensive) garden, but their fortunes changed when Frederick was offered the throne of Bohemia. The family moved to Prague to take up the throne (whilst Elizabeth was expecting her fifth child). A lavish coronation, rumours of Elizabeth's extravagance, and religious reformation led to dissent. The Winter King and Queen (named for the brevity of their reign, and the season) were forced to flee, and decades of war followed.
Heidelberg, foolishly left unprotected after their move to Prague, was no longer an option, which sent the family into exile. Frederick became embroiled in battle for the remainder of his life, while Elizabeth settled in The Hague, gave birth to eight more children, and played a long diplomatic game which ensured their lineage became one which shaped the course history - in fact, her grandson succeeded the English throne in 1714 as George I (the first Hanover king).
The book is rather fragmented, frequently jumping forward in time to fit in the important moments of Elizabeth's life. There is quite a lot to cover, which means you do not get to know Elizabeth in as much detail as I would have liked, but Findlay does allow you to get the impression of a woman who learnt a great deal from her experiences. She was a passionate horsewoman and hunter (even throughout her many pregnancies), and she was very progressive when it came to learning, reason and thought (including for her daughters), and in advancing the arts. She was adept at balancing the books, and promoting trade, which were vital for her family's survival, all while negotiating the demands of motherhood (and a tricky father, and difficult mother-in-law).
Findlay's writing is engaging, and she does a great job of giving you an overview of Europe of this period, with all its political and religious turmoil at the tipping point between the divine right of kings and the divine necessity - which normally concentrates on Stuart kings and civil war. It was so interesting to view this from a female perspective, and I expect Findlay's first book in the Queens of Europe series, The Queen's Lender, is equally enlightening (definitely adding it to my reading list).
Absolutely required reading if the royal house of Stuart is your history reading jam!
The Bohemian Queen is available to buy now in hardcover.
Thank you to Scotland Street Press for sending me a review copy of this book, and Folk PR for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
About the author:
Jean Findlay is the author of Chasing Lost Time – the Life of CK Scott Moncrieff, Soldier, Spy and Translator published in 2014 by Chatto and Windus, London, and by FSG, New York. The Queen's Lender was awarded the Hawthornden Fellowship 2018 and Lavigny International Writer’s Fellowship 2019.
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