1979: Gloriana

Queen Gloriana is the absolute ruler of the paramount empire in the history of the world, Albion. With her in charge, the vast kingdom has thrived as peace has led to enormous prosperity. Everyone in the vast realm from the Americas to Asia believes that Gloriana's enlightened leadership has resulted in the Golden Age as never heard of before. But on a personal level, Gloriana is unable to achieve an orgasm, since the weight and duties of her reign have taken their toll. Even though her image is one of unimpeachable ethics, Gloriana has, in private, tried every fetish known and even a few unknown to get satisfaction. To mask her depravity she relies on her ruthless Chancellor to keep everyone in line. However, he isolates his best agent Quire, who begins a plan of vengeance by with seducing the queen in order to get her to fall in love with him.Why it's on the listGloriana is a story full of spellbinding writing and glowing descriptions. This is in the finest tradition of non-Tolkien British fantasy of which Moorcock is the unchallenged master. Ostensibly set in the historical Elizabethan era, some wondrous tiny twists make it an alternative universe. Decadence, automatons, travelers from other realities, court seasons and public poetry set the stage for scenes which are almost more compelling than the story itself. The story line focuses on a Queen Elizabeth like character whose public image is vastly and profoundly different to her own reality. Devotees of erotic fantasy filled with plenty of treachery and intrigue will feel completely fulfilled with this tale. Like other Moorcock novels, it can be read as a high-paced narrative full of plot ideas that twist with a life of their own and characters that demand your attention; your sympathy; your concern;and even your disgust.Read it if you likeAlternate history, erotic fantasy