NAME Elizabeth I
WHAT FAMOUS FOR Elizabeth I, also known as the "Virgin Queen" and "Gloriana," was Queen of England and Ireland from 1558 to 1603. She is celebrated for her political acumen, her role in establishing Protestantism in England, defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588, and ushering in the Elizabethan Golden Age of exploration, literature, and the arts.
BIRTH Elizabeth was born on September 7, 1533, at Greenwich Palace, London.
FAMILY BACKGROUND She was the daughter of King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. Her mother was executed when Elizabeth was two years old, and she was declared illegitimate. Despite this, she was later reinstated in the line of succession.
Elizabeth had an older half-sister, Mary I (daughter of Catherine of Aragon), and a younger half-brother, Edward VI (son of Jane Seymour).
CHILDHOOD Elizabeth's childhood was tumultuous due to her mother's execution and her father's multiple marriages. She lived under the care of governesses like Lady Margaret Bryan and Katherine Champernowne, who ensured her education despite her precarious status. Elizabeth was briefly imprisoned in the Tower of London during her sister Mary I's reign under suspicion of supporting Protestant rebels.
Foreign ambassadors talked of Princess Elizabeth's good looks and musical talent. Her father paid little attention to her and her governess complained that the princess "hath neither gown, nor kirtle, nor petticoat."
Henry’s sixth wife, Catherine Parr, later became fond of the young Elizabeth and brought her back to court. She remained in Catherine’s charge after Henry’s death and took no part in the political intrigues following the coronation of her brother as King Edward VI. (1)
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| The teenage Elizabeth attributed to William Scrots. It was painted for her father in c. 1546. |
EDUCATION Elizabeth received an exceptional education for a woman of her time. She studied languages (including Latin, Greek, French, Italian, Spanish), theology, history, mathematics, and rhetoric under tutors like Roger Ascham. By age eleven, she was fluent in six languages. She translated works such as Boethius as a hobby
CAREER RECORD 1536 Declared illegitimate on the execution of her mother.
1544 Restored to the succession by Henry 8th along with her stepsister Mary.
1558 Acceded to the throne on November 17, 1558 after the death of Mary.
1563 Got through an act in Parliament making her the supreme governor of the Church of England.
She was subconscious in her old age about her black teeth so she stuffed a silk handkerchief into her mouth before appearing in public.
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| The "Darnley Portrait" of Elizabeth I of England. |
FASHION Elizabeth's wardrobe symbolized power and wealth. She favoured elaborate gowns with wide skirts, rich fabrics, intricate embroidery, ruffs, and abundant jewels, especially pearls. Elizabeth used fashion to project power, wealth, and purity (often wearing white and black). She set trends that influenced both men’s and women’s fashion during her reign.
Her ruffs were elaborately decorated, rendering her head almost immobile.
Elizabeth was given a pair of black knitted silk stockings early in her reign and was so pleased she refused to wear any other style thereafter. (2)
CHARACTER Elizabeth was charismatic, intelligent, politically shrewd, and enigmatic. She could be hot tempered but also kind and generous to those close to her.
"When she smiled it was pure sunshine, that everyone did choose to bask in if they could! but anon came a storm from a sudden gathering of clouds and the thunder fell in wondrous manner on all alike." Her Godson, Sir John Harrington.
SPEAKING VOICE Elizabeth had a commanding voice that she used effectively in speeches such as her famous address to the troops at Tilbury during the Spanish Armada crisis.
SENSE OF HUMOUR She possessed a sharp wit and enjoyed teasing courtiers. Her humor helped her navigate the pressures of monarchy. Elizabeth laughed loudly when amused.
One notable example of Elizabeth I's sense of humor occurred when she greeted a group of tailors. She quipped, "Good morning, gentlemen both," humorously suggesting that tailors were traditionally thought of as only half-men due to their profession.
RELATIONSHIPS Famously never married, Elizabeth cultivated the image of the "Virgin Queen" symbolically married to her kingdom. Many English parliaments pleaded with her ("Bessie," as she was sometimes affectionately known) to marry and secure the succession, but despite being considered attractive and engaging capable of flirtatious charm, she never did.
She had several royal favourites, including prominent military or naval commanders like Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, and Sir Walter Raleigh, who were suitors but never spouses. Her relationships with these top men could be intensely emotional.
Her primary and lifelong favourite was Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester – tall, handsome, but married – whom she affectionately called her "Sweet Robin." Their bond was clearly profound; after Leicester's death in 1588, a devastated Elizabeth locked herself in her rooms for days until her advisors had to force the door open. When Elizabeth herself died, a small ring box covered with pearls was found beside her bed; inside was a letter from Leicester, upon which the Queen had inscribed the words, "His Last Letter."
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| Robert Dudley c. 1564 |
She bestowed the nickname "frog" upon one of her persistent suitors, the French Duke of Anjou (D'Alençon), apparently commenting on his appearance; this personal nickname is sometimes mistakenly linked to the much later English term for French people.
Beyond these close favourites, she relied heavily on loyal advisors like William Cecil (Lord Burghley) and Sir Francis Walsingham, and maintained a complex, ultimately fatal rivalry with her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots.
MONEY AND FAME Elizabeth inherited a financially troubled kingdom but managed to stabilize it through careful spending. While wars strained resources, she left England relatively stable economically.
She masterfully cultivated her public image and fame through progresses (royal tours), portraits, and propaganda, becoming an immensely popular and iconic monarch.
Reflecting her understanding of image, the writer Horace Walpole later noted, "She loved pictures of herself."
FOOD AND DRINK While state banquets were lavish displays of wealth, Elizabeth's personal tastes were reportedly relatively simple. A typical breakfast might consist of ale and fine bread or a biscuit; some accounts mention meat like beefsteak as well.
To support England's vital fishing industry (and thus its naval strength), Elizabeth issued laws ordering fish to be eaten on certain days of the week.
She had a well-known fondness for sweet foods, particularly sugary treats. This lifelong habit contributed to significant dental problems, and her teeth famously turned black in her later years; ironically, because sugar was so expensive, visibly decaying teeth could sometimes be perceived as a status symbol among the very wealthy.
She drank beer and wine, sometimes enjoying ale in less formal company.
MUSIC AND ARTS A significant patron of the arts, Elizabeth was also musically accomplished herself. She was known as a fine player of the virginals (a small, oblong harpsichord-like keyboard instrument, a predecessor to the piano) and the lute.
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| Elizabeth playing the virginals image by Gemini |
Her court was a major centre for music, with leading composers such as William Byrd, Orlando Gibbons, and Thomas Tallis regularly performing as part of her Chapel Royal.
She delighted in watching plays and masques and actively protected the acting profession, which helped foster the environment for the golden age of English drama under playwrights like William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, and Ben Jonson. While English culture flourished during her reign, there is reportedly no specific evidence that Elizabeth personally singled out or particularly enjoyed Shakespeare's genius above others.
She was, however, particularly keen on dancing, especially energetic dances like the Lavolta, which involved high jumps and close holds between partners (sometimes exposing the ankles) performed to the sound of pipe and tabor. Anecdotally, she even danced on the Sabbath, though it was said she "didn't kick her legs as high" on that day. (4)
LITERATURE The Elizabethan era produced literary giants like William Shakespeare and Edmund Spenser. Elizabeth herself wrote poetry and speeches that showcased her rhetorical skill.
Elizabeth herself wrote poems, prayers, and translations including Horace's Ars Poetica from Latin to English.
NATURE Elizabeth enjoyed walking in palace gardens and took secret morning strolls at Hampton Court Palace.
PETS She kept pets like small dogs throughout her life. There is evidence suggesting she may have owned guinea pigs as curiosity pets.
HOBBIES AND SPORTS Elizabeth loved horseback riding, hunting deer with a crossbow, hawking, dancing energetic routines like the galliard, and playing tennis.
Elizabeth enjoyed hare coursing by greyhounds so much she commanded Thomas the 4th Duke of Norfolk to formulate the first code of rules.
An enthusiast of bear-baiting, Elizabeth's treasury paid for the provisioning of the baiting animals.
In 1573 Elizabeth appointed Ralph Bowes the master of "Our game pastymes and sportes that is to sale of all evene beares, bullies and mastyve dogges" in other words Britain's first sports minister.
REIGN It is difficult to overstate how thoroughly Elizabeth I stamped her impress on England. She reigned for 44 years—from 1558 to 1603—which is longer than most people manage to live in the 16th century. Her tenure was so memorable, in fact, that we named a whole era after her: the Elizabethan Age. It was a time of naval heroics, literary fireworks, and a national identity coming into focus, all under the gaze of a red-haired monarch with a fondness for pearls and a stubborn refusal to marry.
When Elizabeth took the throne, England’s religious life was a bit like a badly run pub quiz—everyone was arguing about the answers and no one could agree who was in charge. Her half-sister Mary had enthusiastically tried to turn the country Catholic again, mostly by burning Protestants. Elizabeth, ever the pragmatist, decided that setting fewer people on fire might be a good start. So she enacted the Elizabethan Religious Settlement in 1559—essentially saying, “We’re Protestant now, but let’s not make a big fuss.” It was a diplomatic marvel: austere enough to keep the reformers on board, ceremonial enough not to panic the Catholics, and vague enough to let most people just get on with their lives.
In 1588, King Philip II of Spain—who had once proposed marriage to Elizabeth, was rebuffed, and never quite got over it—decided to invade England with a truly massive fleet. This was, for Philip, something of a blunder. The Spanish Armada was bigger and grander, yes, but England’s ships were smaller, faster, and captained by blokes like Francis Drake, who thought nothing of playing a casual game of bowls while waiting for battle. Thanks to some spirited sailing and a perfectly timed assist from English weather (aka, the “Protestant Wind”), the Armada was scattered like startled sheep. It was a turning point. England had beaten the most powerful empire of the day. With boats.
Elizabeth’s court was the stage for one of the greatest creative booms in English history. This was the age of Shakespeare, Marlowe, and Spenser—the rock stars of the quill-and-ink set. Theaters like The Globe sprang up, literature soared, and the Queen herself was not above dabbling in poetry. Culture flourished, sometimes despite, and sometimes because of, her carefully curated image as the chaste, all-seeing Virgin Queen.
Elizabeth’s love life was the most skillfully managed “will-they-won’t-they” saga in Western politics. She kept foreign princes and noble suitors dangling for decades, subtly hinting at possible marriage alliances without ever actually committing. It was a bit like online dating with the stakes set at “continental war.” The result? She kept England diplomatically nimble and sovereign, and died unmarried, leaving behind the most famous romantic question mark in English history.
Then there was Mary, Queen of Scots—Elizabeth’s Catholic cousin, who had a more or less continuous talent for being at the center of plots and conspiracies. After years of imprisonment and after an especially juicy assassination plan (the Babington Plot), Elizabeth had Mary executed in 1587. She did so reluctantly—very reluctantly, in fact, issuing orders and then pretending she hadn’t—but it removed a major threat and sent a rather sharp message to Europe’s Catholic monarchies.
Elizabeth’s reign marked the beginning of England’s adventures on the high seas and its occasional forays into piratical capitalism. She sponsored explorers like Drake and Raleigh, who sailed off in search of new worlds, spices, and anything not nailed down. Colonies were founded, fortunes were made, and maps were rewritten—all while the English navy evolved into a formidable global force.
Back on land, Elizabeth had to contend with all the usual Tudor headaches: empty coffers, a meddlesome Parliament, and a population that often couldn’t feed itself. She introduced a series of Poor Laws, which offered a slightly more compassionate approach to poverty (you were now only jailed or whipped if you chose not to work). Education saw modest improvements, and literacy rose—especially among boys, though a few girls snuck in too.
As she aged, Elizabeth became more anxious and suspicious—traits that are not ideal when you rule a country and have a lot of sharp objects in your vicinity. The Earl of Essex, a once-favored courtier, tried to lead a coup in 1601. It failed in splendid and operatic fashion, and he lost his head for the trouble. Still, she retained a hold on power that even her enemies grudgingly admired.
Elizabeth died childless in 1603, having outlived nearly everyone who had ever plotted against her. With her passed the Tudor dynasty. She was succeeded by her cousin’s son, James VI of Scotland, now James I of England, who promptly united the crowns and ended the centuries-long Scottish-English sibling rivalry (on paper, at least).
PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Brought up as a Protestant, Elizabeth's personal faith and public policy shaped the future of religion in England.
When she heard the news of Queen Mary's death and her own accession to the throne in November 1558, she was reportedly sitting under an oak tree in the gardens of Hatfield Palace. She is said to have immediately knelt and quoted Psalm 118: "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes."
As Queen, she established the Elizabethan Religious Settlement, creating the Church of England as a 'middle way' (via media) designed to achieve stability by navigating between Roman Catholicism and more radical forms of Protestantism. This approach was formally codified in measures like the Thirty-Nine Articles of 1563, which combined broadly Protestant doctrine with a traditional, episcopal (Catholic-style) church structure.
While politically it was necessary to restore Protestantism, Elizabeth herself appreciated traditional ceremony and music in church services, aspects sometimes seen as Catholic leanings. She actively resisted stricter Puritan influences, attempting (ultimately unsuccessfully) to suppress independent Bible study and preaching meetings known as "Prophesyings," a move that temporarily made her unpopular with some Protestants.
She also demonstrated her preference for personal liberty over Puritanical restrictions by vetoing a parliamentary bill that aimed to ban activities like shooting matches and play-going on the Sabbath – things she herself did.
This determination to forge a moderate path cemented the foundations of the Anglican Church. Her position inevitably led to conflict with Rome; in 1570, Pope Pius V excommunicated her, declared her illegitimate, and formally absolved her Catholic subjects from any allegiance to her.
Reflecting the era's mixture of science, faith, and mysticism, Elizabeth also frequently consulted Dr. John Dee, the renowned mathematician, astrologer, alchemist, and spiritualist.
POLITICS A masterful politician who used patronage, propaganda, and her Privy Council effectively, Elizabeth managed relations with Parliament carefully, balancing cooperation with asserting royal prerogative while maintaining public support through speeches like the "Golden Speech." Her diplomatic strategies ensured England's independence from foreign powers.
SCANDAL 1. Her early life involved controversies such as Thomas Seymour’s inappropriate behavior toward her as a teenager.
2. Sir Walter Scott's novel Kenilworth recounts the suspicious death of Amy Robsart, the wife of the Earl of Leicester. Found with a broken neck after a fall down the stairs, many believed Leicester intended to marry Queen Elizabeth. However, Elizabeth feared the potential scandal and did not pursue the marriage.
3. Due to her Protestant beliefs, Elizabeth faced significant challenges: in 1554, she was imprisoned and interrogated in the Tower of London regarding a Protestant conspiracy. Released in 1555, she was then forced into retirement at Hatfield until she ascended to the throne.
4. In 1570, Pope Pius V excommunicated Elizabeth. (This is a straightforward and concise statement of the event.)
5. Elizabeth's treatment of Mary Queen of Scots was a highly controversial aspect of her reign, leading even Jane Austen to label her "that disgrace to humanity, that pest of society" in her History of England.
MILITARY RECORD Elizabeth I's reign is most famously marked by the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. Beyond this pivotal victory, England actively supported Protestant rebels in the Netherlands against Spanish rule and faced conflicts in France. Domestically, Elizabeth dealt with the costly Nine Years' War in Ireland and authorized privateering raids against Spanish shipping. While generally favoring diplomatic solutions and avoiding large-scale offensive land wars, her reign saw significant military engagements.
Key events during her rule included:
1560: The Treaty of Edinburgh formally recognized Elizabeth's sovereignty over England by Scotland.
1562: Elizabeth suppressed two rebellions in Ireland led by the Earl of Tyrone.
1588: England repelled the Spanish Armada. Facing the approaching Armada, Elizabeth famously declared at Tilbury, "I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman but I have the heart and stomach of a King and of a King of England too." Ultimately, King Philip II's fleet was significantly damaged by storms.
1597: A second Spanish Armada was thwarted by severe weather before reaching England.
1601: Essex's revolt against Elizabeth was suppressed, leading to his execution.
1602: Lord Mountjoy's army captured Spanish forces that had invaded Ireland.
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS She survived smallpox at Hampton Court in 1562 thanks to the skill of a German doctor but suffered from dental issues later in life due to poor hygiene practices of the era. Her final illness involved throat issues and decline.
According to a courtier, "she hath a bath every three months whether she needeth it or not." This was against the advice of her physician. (6)
HOMES Elizabeth lived in palaces like Hatfield House (where she learned of her accession), Hampton Court Palace (a favorite retreat), and Richmond Palace (where she died). She frequently undertook summer 'progresses', staying at the grand houses of her nobles throughout southern England.
TRAVEL Elizabeth never travelled outside England and rarely travelled more than 100 miles from home.
She undertook royal progresses across England nearly every summer to meet subjects while escaping London’s summer diseases. This was a carnival with her highness the centre of attention dressed in her most sumptuous apparel. With her entire court she would then drop in unexpectantly on her landed gentry staying several weeks until they had eaten everything in sight. The royal progresses brought several of them close to financial ruin.
She undertook royal progresses across England nearly every summer to meet subjects while escaping London’s summer diseases.
DEATH Queen Elizabeth I died on March 24, 1603, at the age of 70 from septic tonsils. Her final hours at Richmond Palace were marked by her refusal to succumb to death, remaining standing for many hours. Even as her strength waned, she reportedly argued with her ministers about her successor. With her last breath, she is said to have uttered, "All my possessions for one moment of life." After a final struggle where she remained upright for 15 hours before being persuaded to rest on cushions for four days, she passed away.
Elizabeth was buried in Westminster Abbey, close to her grandfather Henry VII and immediately beside her sister, Mary I. Their shared tomb bears a Latin inscription that translates to: "Partners both in Throne and grave, here rest we two sisters, Elizabeth and Mary, in the hope of one resurrection." (6)
James VI of Scotland succeeded her as James I of England.
APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Queen Elizabeth I, the "Virgin Queen," has been a source of fascination for centuries, and her image has been carefully crafted and reinterpreted in the media across the ages. From portraits to films, she’s been depicted in ways that range from historically accurate to wildly imaginative, often reflecting the concerns and values of the time in which she was portrayed. Here's an overview of how Elizabeth has appeared in the media:
1. Portraits and Paintings Elizabeth’s image in the 16th century was very much shaped by the portraits commissioned during her reign. These paintings were often symbolic, designed to convey her power, virtue, and near-divine status. One of the most famous is the "Armada Portrait," which depicts her in a regal gown with the English navy's defeat of the Spanish Armada symbolized in the background. These images were not just of a queen but of the idealized figure of England itself—powerful, untouchable, and eternally young. In the 16th century, Elizabeth's image was used almost as propaganda, solidifying her reign and portraying her as the defender of Protestantism.
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| Armada Portrait |
In more recent literature, Elizabeth’s character is explored in novels that fictionalize her life or explore the world of her court. One of the most famous is The Virgin’s Lover (1999) by Philippa Gregory, which imagines Elizabeth's relationship with Robert Dudley. The Queen is often portrayed as both powerful and vulnerable, struggling with the burdens of rule and her own humanity.
3 Films and Television The Queen has been a central figure in films and television shows, portrayed in a wide variety of ways. Some of the most famous portrayals are:
The 1953 film Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen: This classic film starred Bette Davis and portrayed Elizabeth’s reign in a traditional, somewhat romanticized light. Davis's Elizabeth is a formidable queen, but one who is constantly battling the loneliness of her power.
Elizabeth (1998) and Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007): Cate Blanchett's portrayal of Elizabeth I is one of the most iconic of modern times. The first film, directed by Shekhar Kapur, presents Elizabeth as a young, passionate ruler just coming into her power, while the sequel explores her later years as she faces the Spanish Armada. These films, while taking liberties with history, are famous for their stylish and dramatic depiction of Elizabeth’s reign, blending political intrigue with personal emotion. Blanchett’s Elizabeth is portrayed as an iron-willed monarch who navigates both political and romantic challenges.
The Tudors (2007-2010): Though this TV series focuses mainly on Elizabeth’s father, Henry VIII, Elizabeth herself appears in several episodes. In these portrayals, the young Elizabeth is shown navigating the intrigues and conspiracies that surrounded her mother’s execution and her father’s tumultuous reign. It’s a highly fictionalized version of her life, but one that gives viewers a glimpse into the complex dynamics of the Tudor court.
Mary Queen of Scots (2018): Margot Robbie plays Elizabeth I in this film, where she faces off against her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots. Robbie's portrayal of Elizabeth is icy, calculating, and filled with political tensions, showcasing the difficult choices she faced in maintaining her rule.
4. Documentaries and Historical Retellings
Over the years, Elizabeth has been the subject of numerous documentaries, many of which attempt to provide a more factual and nuanced view of her reign. These documentaries often focus on her achievements—like the defeat of the Spanish Armada, her leadership in the arts, and the complex politics of her time. Shows like The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1970) and Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen (2005) on the BBC have been successful in providing a more serious, historical context for her reign.
5. Modern Pop Culture
In modern pop culture, Elizabeth is sometimes used as a symbol of female empowerment or as a figure of mythic proportions. The BBC's Doctor Who has featured Elizabeth in several episodes, where she’s portrayed as both a character and a symbol of Britain's historical might. In the show, Elizabeth is shown to be a clever and sometimes merciless leader, often mixing fact with a good dose of fantasy.
Moreover, Elizabeth’s image has also become a symbol in fashion, as her ornate style of dress and regal image continues to inspire designers and artists. Her portrait, particularly the "Rainbow Portrait," is often appropriated in everything from fashion to branding, especially in the UK, where she remains a national icon.
ACHIEVEMENTS Elizabeth unified England during religious turmoil, defeated powerful enemies like Spain’s Armada, fostered cultural brilliance during the Renaissance, and laid foundations for England’s empire-building efforts
Sources (1) Microsoft® Encarta® 99 Encyclopedia, (2) A History Of Fashion by J. Anderson Black and Madge Garland (4) James Galway's Music in Time (5) Ebsco (6) Encyclopaedia of Trivia
