She ruled a medieval empire. Now her skin is peeling.
Queen Elizabeth I became more than just a monarch. She was hope, a symbol of England, a living portrait. But behind the lace ruffs and powdered perfection lies a secret carved in lead. Every morning, the Virgin Queen was painted in Venetian ceruse, a deadly mixture of white lead and vinegar. It hid the scars of smallpox, her age. But most of all, it hid the rot.
The mirror never lies.
Told in intimate, unflinching detail, Ceruse Queen peels back the layers of myth to reveal the woman beneath the mask. She is ambitious, aging, and increasingly haunted by the image she’s trapped in. As her courtiers whisper and ambassadors recoil, Elizabeth clings to the performance that keeps her throne and slowly poisons her body.
Because in a world ruled by appearances, fading is more dangerous than dying.
11Historical Side Effects Disclaimer: Gloriana Edition
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6CHAPTER FIVE
12Author’s Note
About the author
Ceri Clark
Hi, I’m Ceri Clark, a Welsh author who writes stories that twist history, spark curiosity, and entertain. My Heinous History series uncovers strange true tales, including dancing plagues, corpse trials, and Henry VIII’s royal bottom-wiper. (Yes, really.) I also write fantasy, romance, sci-fi, and horror because one genre just isn’t enough. I live in Wales with my husband, son, and Cookie the dog. I love hoodies, rock music, and getting lost in stories, whether I’m reading them or writing them.View all by Ceri Clark
