Viewing history as a grand drama, Froude emphasized great personalities and disdained the scientific approach in his historical writing. This epic, twelve-volume narrative presents a vivid portrait of a tumultuous era. Volume eleven begins with a discussion of the character of Elizabeth, and the turmoil which she had managed to (more or less) ride above. The volume ends with John Somerville's attempt to assassinate Elizabeth and with Mary, Queen of Scots, locked away—with not even her son by her side.