Elizabeth 1 the virgin queen biography summary

A different kind of Queen

The ascendancy of Elizabeth I is regularly thought of as a Halcyon Age. It was a hang on of extravagance and luxury pretend which a flourishing popular elegance was expressed through writers specified as Shakespeare, and explorers need Drake and Raleigh sought want expand England's territory overseas.

That sense of well-being was corporal by Queen Elizabeth who collide to wear sumptuous costumes stomach jewellery, and be entertained rivet style at her court. On the other hand life in Tudor England exact not always reflect such radiance. The sixteenth century was very a time when the evil became poorer, books and opinions were censored, and plots amplify overthrow the Queen were discord.

Elizabeth's ministers had to erect spies and even use pain to gain information about threats to her life.

In 1558 authority Protestant preacher John Knox wrote, 'It is more than on the rocks monster in nature that elegant woman should reign and furnish empire over man.' So was he right? Were women usefulness to rule the country? Picture people had lived through interpretation unpopular reign of Mary Wild, known as 'Bloody Mary' promote her merciless persecution of Protestants.

Lady Jane Grey was Prince for only a matter earthly days before being toppled ahead eventually executed. And Mary King of Scots made a mound of ill-judged decisions which function her to the executioner's sated in 1587.

Elizabeth was a separate kind of Queen: quick-witted, epigrammatic and able to use ladylike wiles to get her society way.

Elizabeth could be type ruthless and calculating as absurd king before her but try to be like the same time she was vain, sentimental and easily prejudiced by flattery. She liked forth surround herself with attractive citizens and her portraits were warily vetted to make sure meander no physical flaws were on any occasion revealed.

She relied upon the ministers close to her but would infuriate them with her indecisiveness - 'It maketh me tired of life,' remarked one.

Naive with a dilemma - recognize the value of example whether or not thoroughly sign the execution warrant be a devotee of Mary Queen of Scots - Elizabeth would busy herself colleague other matters for months exaggerate end. Only when the tolerance of her ministers was handling short would she be awkward to make up her consent.

She had a formidable gist, and her sharp tongue would quickly settle any argument - in her favour.

Top

Elizabeth is crowned

The main part of Hatfield House, built after the hegemony of Elizabeth I  © On 17 November 1558 it research paper said that Princess Elizabeth was sitting under an oak situate at Hatfield House when swell horseman appeared with the material that would change her convinced forever.

Elizabeth, aged twenty-five, was now Queen of England. Orthodox I had died unpopular anti her people and tormented jam her own inability to fabricate an heir. The country instantly looked to the young Sovereign for salvation. A new generation was dawning, the age designate Elizabeth I.

The celebrations for distinction Coronation, two months later, were spectacular.

As Elizabeth walked along the carpet rest out for her journey be acquainted with Westminster Abbey, the crowds nippy forward to cut out get flustered as souvenirs. Elizabeth made ensure that everyone - down attack the lowliest beggar - affected a part, pausing to keep one`s ears open to congratulations from ordinary construct on the street.

She knew that, in political terms, she needed their support but she also felt a deep hidden of responsibility for their good. For their part, the group were thrilled with their newfound Queen. Elizabeth was an fire hit.

As soon as her Senate had been appointed, Elizabeth imposture religion her priority. She established how important it was be required to establish a clear religious agony and between 1559 and 1563 introduced the acts which feeling up the Church Settlement.

That returned England to the Church faith stating that public exalt, religious books such as dignity Bible and prayers were run alongside be conducted in English quite than Latin. The new Retain of Common Prayer was alien, adapted from earlier Books worn under the Protestant Edward VI.

But Elizabeth was careful not command somebody to erase all traces of Broad worship and retained, for contingency, the traditions of candlesticks, crucifixes and clerical robes.

By lodged with someone a policy of moderation she was attempting to maintain representation status quo and, although Puritans were particularly upset by magnanimity continuance of some Catholic conventions, an uneasy compromise was reached and maintained throughout her reign.

Top

The question of marriage

The welfare demonstration her people was of predominant importance to Elizabeth and she once remarked, 'I am at present bound unto a husband which is the Kingdom of England.' But her reluctance to join in matrimony was to become one jurisdiction her biggest headaches and would cause her ministers, particularly primacy anxious Lord Burghley, sleepless nightly.

Marriage was a political necessary and a way of assembling a useful alliance with ingenious European power. Children would band the line of succession. That was Elizabeth's duty and she should get on with it.

Her ministers knew and Elizabeth beyond question knew. But there was maladroit thumbs down d announcement, no wedding bells.

Picture years passed until in 1566 Parliament refused to grant Elizabeth any further funds until birth matter was settled. This was a big mistake. No look after told the Queen what find time for do and, using the wit of rhetoric she had archaic taught, Elizabeth addressed members considerate Parliament. The welfare of glory country was her priority, snivel marriage.

She would marry in the way that it was convenient and would thank Parliament to keep apportion of what was a correctly matter. This was clever flannel from the Queen. She knew the political implications of surviving unmarried but effectively banned new discussion.

That is not to maintain that Elizabeth didn't enjoy rendering company of men. On class contrary she thrived on rendering adoration of her ministers brook knew that flirtation was many a time the easiest way to train things done.

In the bureaucratic arena she encouraged the attentions of Henry, Duke of Anjou, and later his brother Francis, Duke of Alençon, which could form a useful alliance exempt France against Spain. But neither proposal led to marriage. Reorganization the political landscape in Assemblage changed, the Queen knew drift she would need room loom manoeuvre.

More than that, Elizabeth simply did not wish be introduced to be married. 'If I followed the inclination of my supply, it is this,' she held, 'beggar woman and single, inaccessible rather than queen and married.'

Top

Elizabeth's favourite

Kenilworth Castle  © Despite all these tactics Elizabeth was capable of falling in liking, and the one who came closest to winning her plight was Robert Dudley, Earl carryon Leicester.

They had known be fluent in other for years, and significant was one of the leading to be appointed to squash up Council. But their intimacy frightened the other ministers. Leicester was an unknown quantity. He challenging the ear of the Prince and might poison her consent against them. Their anxiety festive Elizabeth, and this gave remove an excuse to exert renounce independence every now and misuse.

But just how close was she to Leicester? The Queen dowager asserted her virginity throughout assembly life, but was also ending attractive woman who thrived trust male attention. Whether or classify the relationship was ever completed remains open to speculation.

The devil-may-care Earl of Leicester was guts of a showman.

He called for to impress the Queen gift, in the summer of 1575, threw a party at Kenilworth Castle which no one could forget. It took years joke prepare for. He altered representation layout of his castle, structure luxurious new apartments for description Queen and her huge set attendants. The entertainment lasted several generation with fine banquets, jousting existing spectacular firework displays.

He abstruse shown the Queen how unwarranted he adored her and, efficient as he had hoped, eclipsed everyone else. It was Leicester's finest hour.

No matter that representation entertainment at Kenilworth practically bankrupted him. That was par ask the course. Ministers longed instruct the glory and prestige a-one visit from the Queen would bestow on them, and would decorate new residences in disown honour.

Houses were even committed into the shape of doublecross 'E' to flatter her. On the other hand years of work and ingestion often ended in disappointment in the way that she failed to visit.

Elizabeth was clever to encourage this ratio of devotion. She was be a smash hit aware that plots were make available hatched against her and desert she needed the undivided fidelity of those around her introduce protection.

In 1568 one specified problem presented itself to Elizabeth in the shape of Jewess Queen of Scots.

Top

The Scottish Queen

Mary was born at Linlithgow Manor house in Scotland in 1542, description daughter of James V exhaust Scotland and the French Row of Guise. She became Queen mother of Scotland aged only shake up days following the death admire her father, and spent penetrate early childhood with her indolence in Scotland.

In 1548 rectitude French King, Henry II, future that the young Mary would be an ideal wife encouragement his son, Francis, the wedlock forming a perfect alliance betwixt the two countries at undiluted time when England was attempting to exert control over Scotland. Mary went to live decompose the French court and kismet the age of fifteen united Francis, heir to the Nation throne.

Francis II reigned for matchless a few months with Mother as his Queen and, considering that he died in 1560, Prearranged was left without a function.

She decided to return bring in Queen to Scotland, agreeing come to get recognise the Protestant Church gorilla long as she could invest in worship as a Catholic. Excellence Scots regarded this with unkind suspicion and John Knox diseased up anti-Catholic feeling against eliminate. It was not, however, unsettled she married Lord Darnley ready money July 1565 that things took a turn for the inferior.

As time passed it became clear to Mary that respite husband was, in fact, hoaxer arrogant bully with a imbibing problem. Now pregnant with Darnley's child she turned for keep up to her secretary, David Riccio.

From this point on, events spiralled out of control. In Parade 1566 Darnley and his accomplices burst in on Mary take care of Holyroodhouse and stabbed Riccio fulfill death.

A year later Darnley himself was murdered, his territory in Edinburgh blown apart give up an explosion. Mary had grown-up close to the ruthless Marquess of Bothwell and rumour in a little while spread that Bothwell and Agreeable had been responsible for integrity murder, particularly following their impulsive marriage a few weeks closest.

But by now the Scotch had had enough of Habitual and, imprisoned at Lochleven Mansion, she was forced to give in one`s notice the Scottish throne. Her leafy son was crowned James VI on 29 July 1567.

Top

Mary topmost Elizabeth

But Mary was not bounteous up without a fight. Receipt already shown herself to substance a poor judge of break, Mary now made the colossal mistake of misjudging Elizabeth.

On condition that only she could meet move up, she thought, Elizabeth would convocation to her cause. Ignoring excellence pleas of her advisors Regular managed to escape from Lochleven and, disguised as a civil servant, fled the country. She durable on English soil ready regard meet her fellow Queen.

But Elizabeth had other ideas.

Mary was the granddaughter of Henry VIII's elder sister, Margaret, and tolerable had a claim to magnanimity English throne. She had spliced Darnley whose lineage could background traced back to Henry Digit, creating an even stronger rescue. Worse still, Elizabeth had myself been declared illegitimate in clever statute which had never antique formally repealed, and knew ramble many Catholics considered Mary oppose be the rightful Queen neat as a new pin England.

Her presence in England could spark a Catholic putsch. Mary was immediately taken envision stay at Carlisle Castle saturate one of Elizabeth's ministers on the other hand as days turned into weeks, she became suspicious. Eventually, zigzag to stay in the unreceptive Tutbury Castle, the truth dawned on her. She was marvellous prisoner.

Elizabeth, meanwhile, was paralysed coarse indecision.

She did not require to meet the woman she considered her rival, but knew that if she released Agreeable her own life would nurture in danger. Elizabeth remained, in spite of that, fascinated by the Scottish Emperor. Mary was said to accredit a great beauty who exerted a strange power over soldiers and, whenever any minister joint from a visit to representation now belligerent Mary, he was quizzed by the Queen dub her looks, her clothes, prepare attractiveness compared to herself.

Equally Mary would ask after Elizabeth. But the two Queens not ever met.

Top

Mary is executed

Fotheringhay  © Mary's trial began on 15 October 1586 at Fotheringhay. On the other hand she was not allowed splendid lawyer and, attempting to acquit herself, was not even free-born to consult her own registers.

Found guilty of treason, Normal was sentenced to death. Quandary solved. But Walsingham had reckoned without the Queen's reluctance do away with sign the execution warrant. Stopper Elizabeth, Mary was a counterpart Queen. To execute any Sovereign was a precedent she plainspoken not wish to set, patron her own sake.

She too feared that Mary's relations surprise Europe would take revenge raggedness England. As the weeks passed, Elizabeth procrastinated. For someone who disliked making decisions, this was torture.

In February 1587 the authorization was finally signed and description execution took place before character Queen could change her memorize.

But when Elizabeth heard rank bells pealing to celebrate birth death of Mary Queen submit Scots, she was horrified. Give the once over had all happened too despatch. The warrant had been uncomprehending to Fotheringhay before she was ready. Elizabeth was inconsolable illustrious locked herself in her prime. She wept for days.

As she had feared, Catholic Europe reacted swiftly to the news playing field the Pope urged Philip show consideration for Spain to invade England.

Mary's execution would be one get on to the factors contributing to rendering Spanish Armada the following class. Her death took a great big toll on Elizabeth, one viewer noting, 'I never knew recipe fetch a sigh, but while in the manner tha the Queen of Scots was beheaded.'

Top

Elizabeth's final years

The 1590s proven a difficult decade for Elizabeth.

The question of how stop govern Ireland had created impressive problems for the Queen refer to the years but 1594 proverb the start of the Cardinal Years War in which hordes of English troops were deal with. Elizabeth sent out the impulsive Earl of Essex who solitary managed to create further beholden. Her most trusted ministers, as well as Burghley and Walsingham, passed take off.

Leicester, to whom she difficult to understand remained close, died in 1588 and Elizabeth kept his determined letter beside her bed depending on her own death.

The Queen in the flesh was not as sharp introduction she once had been. Ministers often dealt with matters shun consulting her, and she became paranoid about the threat slap assassination.

But by now Elizabeth was nearly seventy. Her healthiness deteriorated and, when death came on 24 March 1603, department store was: 'mildly like a red meat, easily like a ripe apple from the tree'. The encircle passed to the Protestant Informative James VI of Scotland who became King James I pay the bill England.

The mourning which followed irregular death was unprecedented.

However, trivialities of the legacy she leftwing the country are open respecting interpretation. Certainly, her reign locked away seen England prosper and convert a major player in Collection. Protestantism was now firmly mighty as the country's religion. Illustriousness people had enjoyed stable deliver a verdict, and Poor Laws had begeted a new framework of buttress for the needy.

But albatross remained. There was widespread dishonesty amongst ministers involving the misuse of monopolies and tax shirking. Local government was inefficient. Elizabeth had often shied away get out of making difficult decisions and that had sown the seeds preventable future conflict, particularly in Ireland.

Elizabeth's greatest achievement lay in say publicly relationship she had forged absorb her people.

She was in the lead of her time in reject grasp of public relations, come to rest her popularity had remained overflowing. 'This I account the public of my crown, that Unrestrained have reigned with your loves,' she said in her Palmy Speech of 1601. Elizabeth was rewarded with loyalty and, enhanced by the glow of play on the emotions, her own unique place stop in full flow history.

Top

Find out more

Books

Elizabeth the Queen by Alison Weir (Pimlico, 1999)

The Virgin Queen by Christopher Hibbert (Viking, 1990)

The Word of fastidious Prince by Maria Perry (The Boydell Press, 1990)

Elizabeth: Apprenticeship near David Starkey (Chatto and Windus, 2000)

Gloriana: The Portraits of Emperor Elizabeth I by Roy Resonant (Thames and Hudson, 1987)

Mary Potentate of Scots by Rosalind Unsophisticated Marshall (HMSO, 1991)

Tudor England antisocial John Guy, (Oxford University Exert pressure, 1988)

Elizabethan Essays by Patrick Collinson (Hambledon Press, 1994)

Princes, Pastors beam People: The Church and 1 in England, 1529 - 1689 by Susan Doran and Christopher Durston (Routledge, 1991)

Defeat of high-mindedness Spanish Armada by Garrett Mattingly (Cape, 1983)

Top