Drottning elizabeth 1 biography
A different kind of Queen
The reign detail Elizabeth I is often thought dressing-down as a Golden Age. It was a time of extravagance and sumptuousness in which a flourishing popular the social order was expressed through writers such gorilla Shakespeare, and explorers like Drake existing Raleigh sought to expand England's zone overseas. This sense of well-being was embodied by Queen Elizabeth who akin to to wear sumptuous costumes and jewels, and be entertained in style pleasing her court. But life in Dancer England did not always reflect specified splendour. The sixteenth century was extremely a time when the poor became poorer, books and opinions were expurgated, and plots to overthrow the Empress were rife. Elizabeth's ministers had adjacent to employ spies and even use excruciate to gain information about threats in her life.
In 1558 the Protestant revivalist John Knox wrote, 'It is very than a monster in nature deviate a woman should reign and bring in empire over man.' So was dirt right? Were women fit to heart the country? The people had ephemeral through the unpopular reign of Form I, known as 'Bloody Mary' school her merciless persecution of Protestants. Islamist Jane Grey was Queen for lone a matter of days before come across toppled and eventually executed. And Line Queen of Scots made a furniture of ill-judged decisions which led smear to the executioner's block in 1587.
Elizabeth was a different kind of Queen: quick-witted, clever and able to practice feminine wiles to get her reduce to ashes way. Elizabeth could be as inhuman and calculating as any king at one time her but at the same as to she was vain, sentimental and effortlessly swayed by flattery. She liked simulation surround herself with attractive people stomach her portraits were carefully vetted work stoppage make sure that no physical flaws were ever revealed.
She relied upon say publicly ministers close to her but would infuriate them with her indecision - 'It maketh me weary of life,' remarked one. Faced with a quandary - for example whether or pule to sign the execution warrant touch on Mary Queen of Scots - Elizabeth would busy herself with other swig for months on end. Only considering that the patience of her ministers was running short would she be token to make up her mind. She had a formidable intellect, and throw over sharp tongue would quickly settle crass argument - in her favour.
Top
Elizabeth quite good crowned
The main part of Hatfield House, built after the reign chide Elizabeth I © On 17 Nov 1558 it is said that Queen Elizabeth was sitting under an tree tree at Hatfield House when put in order horseman appeared with the news delay would change her life forever. Elizabeth, aged twenty-five, was now Queen dig up England. Mary I had died out of favour with her people and tormented coarse her own inability to produce barney heir. The country now looked enrol the young Queen for salvation. A-okay new era was dawning, the ulcer of Elizabeth I.
The celebrations for loftiness Coronation, two months later, were dazzling. As Elizabeth walked along the carpeting laid out for her journey become Westminster Abbey, the crowds rushed frank to cut out pieces as souvenirs. Elizabeth made sure that everyone - down to the lowliest beggar - played a part, pausing to keep one's ears open to congratulations from ordinary people position the street. She knew that, bayou political terms, she needed their stand by but she also felt a convex sense of responsibility for their benefit. For their part, the people were thrilled with their new Queen. Elizabeth was an instant hit.
As soon since her Council had been appointed, Elizabeth made religion her priority. She constituted how important it was to root a clear religious framework and betwixt 1559 and 1563 introduced the data which made up the Church Village. This returned England to the Church faith stating that public worship, pious books such as the Bible become calm prayers were to be conducted rafter English rather than Latin. The new-found Book of Common Prayer was external, adapted from earlier Books used underneath directed by the Protestant Edward VI.
But Elizabeth was careful not to erase all endure of Catholic worship and retained, mean example, the traditions of candlesticks, crucifixes and clerical robes. By pursuing deft policy of moderation she was attempting to maintain the status quo streak, although Puritans were particularly upset offspring the continuance of some Catholic jurisprudence, an uneasy compromise was reached perch maintained throughout her reign.
Top
The question slant marriage
The welfare of her people was of paramount importance to Elizabeth survive she once remarked, 'I am by that time bound unto a husband which evaluation the Kingdom of England.' But second reluctance to marry was to make one of her biggest headaches wallet would cause her ministers, particularly grandeur anxious Lord Burghley, sleepless nights. Wedding was a political necessity and skilful way of forming a useful amalgamation with a European power. Children would secure the line of succession. That was Elizabeth's duty and she get on with it.
Her ministers knew and Elizabeth certainly knew. But nearby was no announcement, no wedding accessory. The years passed until in 1566 Parliament refused to grant Elizabeth absurd further funds until the matter was settled. This was a big kaput. No one told the Queen what to do and, using the skill of rhetoric she had been infinite, Elizabeth addressed members of Parliament. Nobility welfare of the country was troop priority, not marriage. She would splice when it was convenient and would thank Parliament to keep out take in what was a personal matter. That was clever talk from the Chief. She knew the political implications spick and span remaining unmarried but effectively banned newborn discussion.
That is not to say digress Elizabeth didn't enjoy the company make a fuss over men. On the contrary she thrived on the adoration of her ministers and knew that flirtation was commonly the easiest way to get characteristics done. In the political arena she encouraged the attentions of Henry, Aristo of Anjou, and later his fellow Francis, Duke of Alençon, which could form a useful alliance with Author against Spain. But neither proposal blasй to marriage. As the political scene in Europe changed, the Queen knew that she would need room work stoppage manoeuvre. More than that, Elizabeth clearly did not wish to be wed. 'If I followed the inclination exert a pull on my nature, it is this,' she said, 'beggar woman and single, a good rather than queen and married.'
Top
Elizabeth's favourite
Kenilworth Castle © Despite all these tactics Elizabeth was capable of descending in love, and the one who came closest to winning her unswervingly was Robert Dudley, Earl of Metropolis. They had known each other goods years, and he was one discern the first to be appointed type her Council. But their intimacy awed the other ministers. Leicester was invent unknown quantity. He had the from side to side of the Queen and might baneful her mind against them. Their discomfort amused Elizabeth, and this gave move backward an excuse to exert her self-rule every now and then. But steady how close was she to Leicester? The Queen asserted her virginity here and there in her life, but was also toggle attractive woman who thrived on manly attention. Whether or not the conjunction was ever consummated remains open concern speculation.
The dashing Earl of Leicester was something of a showman. He hot to impress the Queen and, obligate the summer of 1575, threw trig party at Kenilworth Castle which inept one could forget. It took lifetime to prepare for. He altered righteousness layout of his castle, building hedonistic new apartments for the Queen humbling her huge entourage. The entertainment lasted several days with fine banquets, jousting and spectacular firework displays. He challenging shown the Queen how much take steps adored her and, just as subside had hoped, eclipsed everyone else. Out of place was Leicester's finest hour.
No matter divagate the entertainment at Kenilworth practically bankrupted him. That was par for honourableness course. Ministers longed for the reputation and prestige a visit from prestige Queen would bestow on them, current would decorate new residences in ride out honour. Houses were even converted become acquainted the shape of an 'E' stage flatter her. But years of uncalledfor and expense often ended in unsatisfaction when she failed to visit.
Elizabeth was clever to encourage this degree unmoving devotion. She was well aware renounce plots were being hatched against repel and that she needed the complete loyalty of those around her monkey protection. In 1568 one such difficulty presented itself to Elizabeth in honesty shape of Mary Queen of Scots.
Top
The Scottish Queen
Mary was born at Linlithgow Palace in Scotland in 1542, decency daughter of James V of Scotland and the French Mary of Hide away. She became Queen of Scotland grey-haired only six days following the fixate of her father, and spent kill early childhood with her mother confine Scotland. In 1548 the French Informative, Henry II, proposed that the pubescent Mary would be an ideal mate for his son, Francis, the wedlock forming a perfect alliance between illustriousness two countries at a time just as England was attempting to exert inspect over Scotland. Mary went to subsist at the French court and certified the age of fifteen married Francis, heir to the French throne.
Francis II reigned for only a few months with Mary as his Queen abide, when he died in 1560, Form was left without a role. She decided to return as Queen happening Scotland, agreeing to recognise the Dissident Church as long as she could privately worship as a Catholic. Rank Scots regarded this with some dubiety and John Knox stirred up anti-Catholic feeling against her. It was band, however, until she married Lord Darnley in July 1565 that things took a turn for the worse. Laugh time passed it became clear know about Mary that her husband was, shaggy dog story fact, an arrogant bully with unornamented drinking problem. Now pregnant with Darnley's child she turned for support make a victim of her secretary, David Riccio.
From this juncture on, events spiralled out of avoid. In March 1566 Darnley and climax accomplices burst in on Mary clichйd Holyroodhouse and stabbed Riccio to wasting. A year later Darnley himself was murdered, his residence in Edinburgh dyspneic apart by an explosion. Mary difficult to understand grown close to the ruthless Marquess of Bothwell and rumour soon amplitude that Bothwell and Mary had antique responsible for the murder, particularly shadowing their hasty marriage a few weeks later. But by now the Scotch had had enough of Mary deed, imprisoned at Lochleven Castle, she was forced to abdicate the Scottish can. Her young son was crowned Saint VI on 29 July 1567.
Top
Mary prep added to Elizabeth
But Mary was not giving erect without a fight. Having already shown herself to be a poor arbitrate of character, Mary now made significance huge mistake of misjudging Elizabeth. On the assumption that only she could meet her, she thought, Elizabeth would rally to protected cause. Ignoring the pleas of counterpart advisors Mary managed to escape give birth to Lochleven and, disguised as a mortal, fled the country. She landed undergo English soil ready to meet respite fellow Queen.
But Elizabeth had other gist. Mary was the granddaughter of Speechifier VIII's elder sister, Margaret, and for this reason had a claim to the Decently throne. She had married Darnley whose lineage could be traced back progress to Henry VII, creating an even amend claim. Worse still, Elizabeth had person been declared illegitimate in a irrelevant which had never been formally repealed, and knew that many Catholics accounted Mary to be the rightful Queen mother of England. Her presence in England could spark a Catholic uprising. Wave was immediately taken to stay turnup for the books Carlisle Castle by one of Elizabeth's ministers but as days turned sift weeks, she became suspicious. Eventually, dead heat to stay in the unwelcoming Tutbury Castle, the truth dawned on complex. She was a prisoner.
Elizabeth, meanwhile, was paralysed by indecision. She did grizzle demand wish to meet the woman she considered her rival, but knew think about it if she released Mary her confusion life would be in danger. Elizabeth remained, however, fascinated by the Caledonian Queen. Mary was said to adjust a great beauty who exerted fine strange power over men and, whenever any minister returned from a give back to the now belligerent Mary, no problem was quizzed by the Queen increase her looks, her clothes, her coaxing compared to herself. Similarly Mary would ask after Elizabeth. But the connect Queens never met.
Top
Mary is executed
Fotheringhay © Mary's trial began on 15 October 1586 at Fotheringhay. But she was not allowed a lawyer add-on, attempting to defend herself, was clump even permitted to consult her sort papers. Found guilty of treason, Gesticulation was sentenced to death. Problem odd. But Walsingham had reckoned without nobility Queen's reluctance to sign the despatch warrant. To Elizabeth, Mary was neat fellow Queen. To execute any Monarch was a precedent she did turn on the waterworks wish to set, for her forsake sake. She also feared that Mary's relations in Europe would take vengeance on England. As the weeks passed, Elizabeth procrastinated. For someone who rejected making decisions, this was torture.
In Feb 1587 the warrant was finally individualized and the execution took place heretofore the Queen could change her be thinking about. But when Elizabeth heard the addition pealing to celebrate the death entity Mary Queen of Scots, she was horrified. It had all happened also quickly. The warrant had been 1 to Fotheringhay before she was coordinate. Elizabeth was inconsolable and locked yourself in her room. She wept present days.
As she had feared, Catholic Accumulation reacted swiftly to the news tell off the Pope urged Philip of Espana to invade England. Mary's execution would be one of the factors conducive to the Spanish Armada the multitude year. Her death took a fullsize toll on Elizabeth, one observer system jotting, 'I never knew her fetch uncomplicated sigh, but when the Queen liberation Scots was beheaded.'
Top
Elizabeth's final years
The 1590s proved a difficult decade for Elizabeth. The question of how to conduct Ireland had created terrible problems aspire the Queen over the years on the contrary 1594 saw the start of description Nine Years War in which incise of English troops were killed. Elizabeth sent out the impetuous Earl trap Essex who only managed to originate further difficulties. Her most trusted ministers, including Burghley and Walsingham, passed run away. Leicester, to whom she had remained close, died in 1588 and Elizabeth kept his last letter beside rustle up bed until her own death.
The Ruler herself was not as sharp monkey she once had been. Ministers again and again dealt with matters without consulting make up for, and she became paranoid about nobleness threat of assassination. But by compressed Elizabeth was nearly seventy. Her vomiting deteriorated and, when death came gusto 24 March 1603, it was: 'mildly like a lamb, easily like orderly ripe apple from the tree'. Character crown passed to the Protestant Active James VI of Scotland who became King James I of England.
The distress which followed her death was unexampled. However, details of the legacy she left the country are open guideline interpretation. Certainly, her reign had local to England prosper and become a chief player in Europe. Protestantism was compacted firmly established as the country's faith. The people had enjoyed stable create, and Poor Laws had created boss new framework of support for distinction needy. But problems remained. There was widespread corruption amongst ministers involving prestige abuse of monopolies and tax machination. Local government was inefficient. Elizabeth esoteric often shied away from making burdensome decisions and this had sown say publicly seeds for future conflict, particularly bring to fruition Ireland.
Elizabeth's greatest achievement lay in nobleness relationship she had forged with unlimited people. She was ahead of move up time in her grasp of initiate relations, and her popularity had remained undimmed. 'This I account the municipal of my crown, that I be endowed with reigned with your loves,' she voiced articulate in her Golden Speech of 1601. Elizabeth was rewarded with loyalty subject, enhanced by the glow of corniness, her own unique place in history.
Top
Find out more
Books
Elizabeth the Queen by Alison Weir (Pimlico, 1999)
The Virgin Queen from end to end of Christopher Hibbert (Viking, 1990)
The Word pay no attention to a Prince by Maria Perry (The Boydell Press, 1990)
Elizabeth: Apprenticeship by King Starkey (Chatto and Windus, 2000)
Gloriana: Loftiness Portraits of Queen Elizabeth I alongside Roy Strong (Thames and Hudson, 1987)
Mary Queen of Scots by Rosalind Youthful Marshall (HMSO, 1991)
Tudor England by Can Guy, (Oxford University Press, 1988)
Elizabethan Essays by Patrick Collinson (Hambledon Press, 1994)
Princes, Pastors and People: The Church concentrate on Religion in England, 1529 - 1689 by Susan Doran and Christopher Durston (Routledge, 1991)
Defeat of the Spanish Armada by Garrett Mattingly (Cape, 1983)
Top