"Elizabeth: The Struggle for the Throne" by David Starkey (Review of the First 100 Pages)

I have read the first 100 pages of "Elizabeth: The Struggle for the Throne" and have learned new things about the young Elizabeth:
(The next 100 page review, pages 101 - 201, was posted on 2/11/12.  The last post of the remaining pages, 201 - 323 was posted on 3/11/12)

While Henry was away from court for his campaign in France, Catherine Parr took care of State matters, on behalf of the King.  It was very unusual for a Queen, especially under Tudor Monarch, for a Queen to handle State affairs.  The young Elizabeth was very close to Catherine Parr and witnessed her, a woman, giving orders to men regarding State Affairs, as she saw fit.  Ultimately, this had a huge impact on Elizabeth and helped guide her when she eventually became Queen years later. 

Young Elizabeth's first flirtatious fling was with Thomas Seymour (King Edward VI's Uncle).  Thomas Seymour (youngest of the two brothers), married Catherine Parr after Henry VIII died.  Elizabeth lived with Catherine & Thomas.  Thomas would initiate inappropriate advances towards the young Elizabeth.  Elizabeth was very attracted to Thomas but knew his advances were inappropriate.  Nothing sexually happened between Thomas & Elizabeth.  Although nothing sexually happened between Thomas & Elizabeth, he was her first true love.  A lot of the men she liked in the future were similar to that of Thomas.
Thomas was executed in 1548 for high treason (more information about Thomas Seymour can be found in Wikipedia ).  Obviously, these events affected her psychologically, mentally, & emotionally.  It also had a huge impact with how she personally ruled England in the future years to come. (will discuss as I read the book further)

Elizabeth's, French tutor, John Bellmain gave her as a present his translation of St. Basil's epistle to St. Gregory on the virtues of the single life.  The Saint's argument was that marriage distracted the soul from the worship of God.  Bearing in mind her experiences with Thomas Seymour, Elizabeth was well aware of the practical and political advantages of celibacy. 

Roger Ascham tutored the young Elizabeth from 1548 to 1550 and was a huge influence to her, especially intellectually.  Roger Asham is famous for his text in 1570, The Schoolmaster, during the Elizabethan era. 
Links about Roger Ascham & The Schoolmaster:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Ascham

http://www.classiclanguagearts.net/resources/the-schoolmaster.htm