The Virgin Queen: Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I (7th September 1533- 24th March 1603) is a fascinating woman to study.

Born into the tumultuous familial politics of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth became the Queen of England and Ireland on the 17th November 1558. Unusual for the time, Elizabeth enjoyed a relatively stable reign and succeeded to do so for forty-four years. She has been hailed as one of Britain’s greatest monarchs in history. Her reign became known as the Elizabethan era, which has also been recognized as England’s golden age. This can be attributed to the interest and importance of the arts. Elizabeth's England was stable, and this was key. Predecessors did not have this stability, and later periods also failed to achieve this.

For nearly half a century, Elizabeth reigned as a woman in an patriarchal, misogynistic world. This was not usual in the 16th century. Women, royal or non-royal, were confined to the role of mothers. Without exception, a royal woman's job was to make heirs. Elizabeth defied this old-fashioned notion and reigned England by herself. Her forty-four years were accomplished, without a husband or heirs. She is the epitome of a woman in power. I have been utterly inspired by her. Here are a few interesting facts you may not know about her...

1. Elizabeth was not meant to be Queen

Elizabeth has been hailed as one of the greatest monarchs ever. At the time, the laws of succession only applied to males, but also she had an older sister Mary. Adding to this, Elizabeth was removed from the line of succession altogether when Henry and Anne's marriage was declared as invalid. Her position became reinstated by the influence of her final stepmother, Katherine Parr. Her sister Mary's reign was cataclysmic, and ended within five years. Next in line was Elizabeth, and she reigned for forty-four years!

2. War with Catholics

Elizabeth had always been a stout Protestant. Her sister, Mary, had been a devoted Catholic. During Mary I's reign, Roman Catholicism was declared England's religion and many protestants were executed. In Elizabethan England, the roles had reversed. Protestantism was encouraged. Catholics were the enemy, and around 200 people were executed for their beliefs.

3. Elizabeth’s appearance

Elizabeth's appearance has always been a topic of curiosity for many. To get dressed, it would take her ladies four hours each day to accomplish this monumental task. If you haven't seen any paintings of Elizabeth and her outrageous outfits, google it! Lots of wigs and cosmetics were also involved. Multiple layers of Venetian ceruse (skin whitener) were applied to her face daily to assemble the 'mask of youth'. Her face, hands and neck were also applied. Ceruse was made by mixing white lead and vinegar - so, we now know how dangerous this would have been to apply everyday. Fashionably, Elizabeth had red lipstick made by beeswax paste and plant dye. The queen's routine would have been quite the ordeal.

4. Rivals: Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots

The rivalry between Elizabeth and Mary dominated the English and Scottish political landscape for more than twenty years. Elizabeth was Mary's first cousin (once removed). Their rivalry existed because they both believed they were rightfully the Queen. Many Scots and Catholics believed Elizabeth was an illegitimate heir, and therefore, should not be the Queen. They believed Mary was the true heir, as she was the granddaughter of Margaret Tudor. The two Queens exchanged many letters, but they never met. Contrary to the endless films which show the pair meeting, there has never been any evidence to prove this. The real drama occurred within their writing. Eventually, Elizabeth approved the execution of Mary in 1587.

5. Married to England

From the start of her reign, Elizabeth was expected to marry. She received many offers for her hand throughout the period. She considered several suitors until she was about fifty. Marriage offered the chance of an heir, however, the choice of a husband might have provoked political instability within England. Uprisings and instability was not needed. The marriage question is partially why historians are so intrigued by Elizabeth. As a result, Elizabeth remained unmarried and childless until she died.

6. Sweet Robin

Since her coronation, rumors had spread about her relationship with Robert Dudley (her ‘Sweet Robin’). They had been friends since their childhood, and got along wonderfully. within days of her appointment, Dudley was cast as the master of the horse. This role guaranteed daily contact with the Queen. Dudley was married, but it had been said that

the ‘Queen would like to marry Dudley if his wife should die’ (Wilson). Suspiciously, Amy died from falling down the stairs in 1560. Many people suspected that Dudley arranged her death, so he could marry Elizabeth. He was considered as a suitor for her hand for many years. However, the majority of the nobility were very disapproving of this and so, it did not happen. Dudley died shortly after Elizabeth's defeat of the Armada.

7. Elizabeth’s Tilbury Speech (1588)

The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 has been considered one of England's most significant military accomplishments. Elizabeth's speech at Tilbury became famous for the time. The English troops were assembled at Tilbury camp whilst it happened. During her speech, Elizabeth defended her strength as a woman. She read aloud 'I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too’.

I hope you've enjoyed this post and learned something new!

'The Darnley Portrait' Circa 1575 - Credit to Pixabay