"Originally published in 2013 by Bloomsbury Publishing, Great Britain, as 'Elizabeth's bedfellows : an intimate history of the Queen's Court'"--T.p. verso.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 359-441) and index.

Shameful slanders -- The Queen's two bodies -- The Queen is dead, long live the Queen -- Familia Reginae -- Not a morning person -- Womanish infirmity -- Disreputable rumours -- Ruin of the realm -- Carnal copulation -- Arcana Imperii -- Smallpox -- Devouring lions -- Ménage à trois -- Visitor to the bedchamber -- Sour and noisome -- Untouched and unimpaired -- Greatly grieved -- Suspicious mind -- The elixir of life -- Barren stock -- Wicked intentions -- Secret enemies -- Want of posterity -- Compass her death -- Beside her bed -- Lewd fantasy -- Blows and evil words -- Kenilworth -- Badness of belief -- Toothache -- Amorous potions -- Froggie went a-courtin' -- Semper Eadem -- The die is cast -- The enemy sleeps not -- In defence of the Queen's body -- Agent provocateur? -- Unseemly familiarities -- Especial favour -- The deed shall be done -- Blow up the bed -- Nightmares -- Secret son? -- Satan's instruments -- Barricaded from within -- Suspected and discontented persons -- Age and decay -- Abused her body -- The physician's poison -- Love and self-love -- Privy matters -- Foolish and old -- Mask of youth -- The poisoned pommel -- Crooked carcass -- Lèse majesté -- Dangerous and malicious ends -- No season to fool -- Age itself is a sickness -- All are in a dump at court -- Deathbed -- Regina Intacta -- The Queen's effigy -- Secret histories.