Queen Elizabeth I. Birth & Early Life

Transcription

1 Queen Elizabeth I Birth & Early Life + =

2 Born in 1533; parents were Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Already viewed as an illegitimate child after the death of her mother when she was two, Elizabeth s accession to the throne did not seem likely. Bloody Mary, Liz s half- sister, was Catholic a continual threat. Queen Elizabeth Reigns After the death of Mary, Elizabeth came to the throne in 1558 at the age of 25. She was the last of the Tudor line, so marriage and children were of necessity for Elizabeth. But she had seen the corrupt unions around her, so marriage did not seem tempting.

3 A Speech to a Joint Delegation of Lords and Commons With the birth of James, son to Mary, Queen of Scots, there was a new sense of urgency in Parliament about Elizabeth s marriage status. A group of Lords and Commons met with Liz to urge her to marry and continue the line of succession. Since she told Parliament that she would get married with whom I mind to marry, she had many suitors lined up for her (foreign and domestic). In the end, she refused all offers and said she was wedded to her country. She played the role of the single lady well. She was known as the Virgin Queen and had many favorites including: Sir Walter Raleigh ( Pug ); Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester ( Sweet Robin ); Francis Duc de'alecon ( Petite Grenouille ); and Robert Devereux, 2nd Duke of Essex (for whom she later signed a death warrant and then cried for days). She also had a love for the people and in return, the people loved her. Her Writing Elizabeth loved language and she was fluent in French and Italian and read Latin and Greek. Most of her writing included speeches and letters, but she also wrote prose and translations to works of Plutarch, Calvin and Horace, among others. Her writing reflected her education in history, rhetoric, theology, and moral philosophy. Speech to the Troops at Tilbury

4 Elizabeth delivered a speech to the army gathered to fight off the suspected invasion of the Spanish Armada: My loving people, we have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit ourselves to armed multitudes for fear of treachery; but, I do assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear, I have always so behaved myself, that under God I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and goodwill of my subjects; and, therefore, I am come amongst you as you see at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of battle, to live or die amongst you all to lay down for my God, and for my kingdoms, and for my people, my honour and my blood even in the dust. 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, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which, rather than any dishonour should grow by me, I myself will take up arms I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field. I know already, for your forwardness, you have deserved rewards and crowns, and, we do assure you, on the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you. In the mean time, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people. Luckily, the Armada was defeated at sea, so they never arrived. But, this was a sign of deliverance for England and a special favor to the Queen from... um, God = 80

5 The Golden Speech 1601 Although Elizabeth intended to address economic issues, she addressed those in attendance on her love of country and religion. She knows that this will be her last Parliament. The speech symbolizes the end of England s golden ages/eras. There will never queen sit in my seat with more zeal to my country, care to my subjects, and that will sooner with willingness venture her life for your good and safety, than myself. The line, This Speech ought to be set in letters of gold, comes from a headnote to a reprinted version of the speech. To be a king and wear a crown is more glorious to them that see it than it is pleasant to them that bear it. Death of Elizabeth I Death comes knocking in 1603; she reigned 44 years.

6

7 Interesting Facts She wore lead based makeup to hide her small pox scars; this was rumored to have shortened her life. She had an extensive wardrobe (2,000 dresses). She had black, rotten teeth (a result of too much sugar); afterwards, when she appeared in public, she would put cotton in her mouth.

8 Later in her life, she refused to have any mirrors in her rooms.