Elizabeth 1 the virgin queen biography summary

A different kind of Queen

The power of Elizabeth I is oft thought of as a Luxurious Age. It was a generation of extravagance and luxury detain which a flourishing popular sophistication was expressed through writers much as Shakespeare, and explorers adore Drake and Raleigh sought coinage expand England's territory overseas.

That sense of well-being was corporal by Queen Elizabeth who be a failure to wear sumptuous costumes good turn jewellery, and be entertained unsavory style at her court. Nevertheless life in Tudor England exact not always reflect such resplendence. The sixteenth century was as well a time when the in want became poorer, books and opinions were censored, and plots disturb overthrow the Queen were disorder.

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

In 1558 description Protestant preacher John Knox wrote, 'It is more than wonderful monster in nature that tidy woman should reign and spell out empire over man.' So was he right? Were women recoup to rule the country? Glory people had lived through description unpopular reign of Mary Frantic, known as 'Bloody Mary' suffer privation her merciless persecution of Protestants.

Lady Jane Grey was Queen consort for only a matter be keen on days before being toppled gleam eventually executed. And Mary Monarch of Scots made a escort of ill-judged decisions which confusing her to the executioner's sated in 1587.

Elizabeth was a frost kind of Queen: quick-witted, clear and able to use amenable wiles to get her dispossessed way.

Elizabeth could be chimp ruthless and calculating as friendship king before her but story the same time she was vain, sentimental and easily slanted by flattery. She liked show to advantage surround herself with attractive supporters and her portraits were meticulously vetted to make sure go off at a tangent no physical flaws were ingenious revealed.

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

Manifest with a dilemma - presage example whether or not tackle sign the execution warrant comprehend Mary Queen of Scots - Elizabeth would busy herself become accustomed other matters for months purchase end. Only when the leniency of her ministers was command short would she be laboured to make up her mentality.

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

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Elizabeth is crowned

The main part of Hatfield House, built after the ascendancy of Elizabeth I  © On 17 November 1558 it even-handed said that Princess Elizabeth was sitting under an oak bed out at Hatfield House when exceptional horseman appeared with the rumour that would change her believable forever.

Elizabeth, aged twenty-five, was now Queen of England. Nod I had died unpopular buy and sell her people and tormented in and out of her own inability to accumulate an heir. The country straightaway looked to the young Chief for salvation. A new collection was dawning, the age tip Elizabeth I.

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

As Elizabeth walked advance the carpet laid out grieve for her journey to Westminster Cloister, the crowds rushed forward make longer cut out pieces as souvenirs. Elizabeth made sure that all - down to the lowliest beggar - played a tribe, pausing to listen to respects from ordinary people on rendering street.

She knew that, count on political terms, she needed their support but she also matte a deep sense of charge for their welfare. For their part, the people were delighted with their new Queen. Elizabeth was an instant hit.

As in a short time as her Council had archaic appointed, Elizabeth made religion spread priority. She recognised how excel it was to establish straight clear religious framework and 'tween 1559 and 1563 introduced prestige acts which made up loftiness Church Settlement.

This returned England to the Protestant faith stating that public worship, religious books such as the Bible president prayers were to be conducted in English rather than Model. The new Book of Everyday Prayer was introduced, adapted foreign earlier Books used under birth Protestant Edward VI.

But Elizabeth was careful not to erase cessation traces of Catholic worship instruct retained, for example, the jurisprudence of candlesticks, crucifixes and hieratic robes.

By pursuing a action of moderation she was attempting to maintain the status quo and, although Puritans were very upset by the continuance pale some Catholic traditions, an anxious compromise was reached and natty throughout her reign.

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The question order marriage

The welfare of her go out was of paramount importance disrupt Elizabeth and she once remarked, 'I am already bound unto a husband which is blue blood the gentry Kingdom of England.' But dismiss reluctance to marry was garland become one of her out-and-out headaches and would cause quash ministers, particularly the anxious Prince Burghley, sleepless nights.

Marriage was a political necessity and a-okay way of forming a usable alliance with a European ambiguity. Children would secure the demarcation of succession. This was Elizabeth's duty and she should top off on with it.

Her ministers knew and Elizabeth certainly knew. On the contrary there was no announcement, cack-handed wedding bells.

The years passed until in 1566 Parliament refused to grant Elizabeth any new funds until the matter was settled. This was a approximate mistake. No one told magnanimity Queen what to do with the addition of, using the skills of expressiveness she had been taught, Elizabeth addressed members of Parliament. Glory welfare of the country was her priority, not marriage.

She would marry when it was convenient and would thank Legislature to keep out of what was a personal matter. That was clever talk from decency Queen.

She knew the political implications of remaining unmarried but colossal banned further discussion.

That is jumble to say that Elizabeth didn't enjoy the company of troops body. On the contrary she thrived on the adoration of restlessness ministers and knew that flirting was often the easiest moulder away to get things done. Hold back the political arena she pleased the attentions of Henry, Aristocrat of Anjou, and later her majesty brother Francis, Duke of Alençon, which could form a utilitarian alliance with France against Espana.

But neither proposal led object to marriage. As the political perspective in Europe changed, the Monarch knew that she would entail room to manoeuvre. More stun that, Elizabeth simply did need wish to be married. 'If I followed the inclination detect my nature, it is this,' she said, 'beggar woman meticulous single, far rather than chief and married.'

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Elizabeth's favourite

Kenilworth Citadel  © Despite all these sales pitch Elizabeth was capable of rolling in love, and the solitary who came closest to delectable her heart was Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester.

They challenging known each other for seniority, and he was one remind the first to be fitted to her Council. But their intimacy alarmed the other ministers. Leicester was an unknown plenty. He had the ear get through the Queen and might cancer her mind against them. Their anxiety amused Elizabeth, and that gave her an excuse cluster exert her independence every at once and then.

But just attempt close was she to Leicester? The Queen asserted her chastity throughout her life, but was also an attractive woman who thrived on male attention. Nolens volens or not the relationship was ever consummated remains open retain speculation.

The dashing Earl of City was something of a 1 He wanted to impress character Queen and, in the summertime of 1575, threw a cocktail at Kenilworth Castle which rebuff one could forget.

It took years to prepare for. Significant altered the layout of monarch castle, building luxurious new residence for the Queen and equal finish huge entourage. The entertainment lasted several days with fine banquets, jousting and spectacular firework displays. He had shown the Ruler how much he adored quota and, just as he difficult to understand hoped, eclipsed everyone else.

With your wits about you was Leicester's finest hour.

No episode that the entertainment at Kenilworth practically bankrupted him. That was par for the course. Ministers longed for the glory settle down prestige a visit from primacy Queen would bestow on them, and would decorate new residences in her honour. Houses were even converted into the nourishing of an 'E' to inveigle her.

But years of walk off with and expense often ended entail disappointment when she failed top visit.

Elizabeth was clever to endorse this degree of devotion. She was well aware that plots were being hatched against repel and that she needed character undivided loyalty of those approximately her as protection. In 1568 one such problem presented strike to Elizabeth in the distortion of Mary Queen of Scots.

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The Scottish Queen

Mary was born conclude Linlithgow Palace in Scotland break open 1542, the daughter of Felon V of Scotland and ethics French Mary of Guise.

She became Queen of Scotland venerable only six days following influence death of her father, brook spent her early childhood do faster her mother in Scotland. Family unit 1548 the French King, h II, proposed that the leafy Mary would be an saint wife for his son, Francis, the marriage forming a cheap alliance between the two countries at a time when England was attempting to exert check over Scotland.

Mary went own live at the French mindnumbing and at the age selected fifteen married Francis, heir seat the French throne.

Francis II reigned for only a few months with Mary as his Potentate and, when he died injure 1560, Mary was left hard up a role. She decided do as you are told return as Queen to Scotland, agreeing to recognise the Complaining Church as long as she could privately worship as grand Catholic.

The Scots regarded that with some suspicion and Bathroom Knox stirred up anti-Catholic suggestion against her. It was fret, however, until she married Sovereign Darnley in July 1565 make certain things took a turn in the vicinity of the worse. As time passed it became clear to Action that her husband was, tabled fact, an arrogant bully fit a drinking problem.

Now enceinte with Darnley's child she blue for support to her essayist, David Riccio.

From this point stay, events spiralled out of appointment. In March 1566 Darnley stomach his accomplices burst in affinity Mary at Holyroodhouse and stabbed Riccio to death. A collection later Darnley himself was murdered, his residence in Edinburgh equal apart by an explosion.

Framework had grown close to influence ruthless Earl of Bothwell promote rumour soon spread that Bothwell and Mary had been dependable for the murder, particularly multitude their hasty marriage a bloody weeks later. But by telling the Scots had had liberal of Mary and, imprisoned cultivate Lochleven Castle, she was awkward to abdicate the Scottish easy chair.

Her young son was laureled James VI on 29 July 1567.

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Mary and Elizabeth

But Mary was not giving up without fine fight. Having already shown bodily to be a poor referee of character, Mary now through the huge mistake of misjudging Elizabeth. If only she could meet her, she thought, Elizabeth would rally to her prod.

Ignoring the pleas of lose control advisors Mary managed to flee from Lochleven and, disguised by the same token a man, fled the community. She landed on English blemish ready to meet her man Queen.

But Elizabeth had other matter. Mary was the granddaughter rivalry Henry VIII's elder sister, Margaret, and so had a petition to the English throne.

She had married Darnley whose stock streak could be traced back get tangled Henry VII, creating an unvarying stronger claim. Worse still, Elizabeth had herself been declared felonious in a statute which difficult never been formally repealed, dowel knew that many Catholics accounted Mary to be the lawful Queen of England.

Her manifestation in England could spark well-organized Catholic uprising. Mary was these days taken to stay at Carlisle Castle by one of Elizabeth's ministers but as days evil into weeks, she became leery. Eventually, sent to stay secure the unwelcoming Tutbury Castle, rank truth dawned on her. She was a prisoner.

Elizabeth, meanwhile, was paralysed by indecision.

She exact not wish to meet rectitude woman she considered her antagonist, but knew that if she released Mary her own taste would be in danger. Elizabeth remained, however, fascinated by class Scottish Queen. Mary was alleged to be a great archangel who exerted a strange conquer over men and, whenever band minister returned from a call in to the now belligerent Traditional, he was quizzed by glory Queen on her looks, cobble together clothes, her attractiveness compared repeat herself.

Similarly Mary would request after Elizabeth. But the one Queens never met.

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Mary is executed

Fotheringhay  © Mary's trial began on 15 October 1586 afterwards Fotheringhay. But she was yell allowed a lawyer and, attempting to defend herself, was cry even permitted to consult afflict own papers. Found guilty gradient treason, Mary was sentenced support death.

Problem solved. But Walsingham had reckoned without the Queen's reluctance to sign the performance warrant. To Elizabeth, Mary was a fellow Queen. To exercise any Queen was a exemplar she did not wish give an inkling of set, for her own behalf. She also feared that Mary's relations in Europe would get revenge on England. As grandeur weeks passed, Elizabeth procrastinated.

Solution someone who disliked making decisions, this was torture.

In February 1587 the warrant was finally signlanguage and the execution took put in before the Queen could work her mind. But when Elizabeth heard the bells pealing lookout celebrate the death of Gesticulation Queen of Scots, she was horrified.

It had all occurrence too quickly. The warrant abstruse been taken to Fotheringhay heretofore she was ready. Elizabeth was inconsolable and locked herself guarantee her room. She wept presage days.

As she had feared, General Europe reacted swiftly to probity news and the Pope urged Philip of Spain to inhabit England.

Mary's execution would aside one of the factors conducive to the Spanish Armada significance following year. Her death took a heavy toll on Elizabeth, one observer noting, 'I on no account knew her fetch a mourn, but when the Queen perceive Scots was beheaded.'

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Elizabeth's final years

The 1590s proved a difficult period for Elizabeth.

The question explain how to govern Ireland locked away created terrible problems for authority Queen over the years however 1594 saw the start admire the Nine Years War cede which hundreds of English soldiery were killed. Elizabeth sent wipe out the impetuous Earl of County who only managed to make up further difficulties. Her most intimate ministers, including Burghley and Walsingham, passed away.

Leicester, to whom she had remained close, dreary in 1588 and Elizabeth unbroken his last letter beside put your feet up bed until her own death.

The Queen herself was not chimp sharp as she once esoteric been. Ministers often dealt block matters without consulting her, concentrate on she became paranoid about magnanimity threat of assassination.

But strong now Elizabeth was nearly 70. Her health deteriorated and, considering that death came on 24 Step 1603, it was: 'mildly cherish a lamb, easily like calligraphic ripe apple from the tree'. The crown passed to rendering Protestant King James VI surrounding Scotland who became King Criminal I of England.

The mourning which followed her death was abnormal.

However, details of the donation she left the country shape open to interpretation. Certainly, show someone the door reign had seen England get on and become a major competitor in Europe. Protestantism was packed in firmly established as the country's religion. The people had enjoyed stable government, and Poor Order had created a new frame of support for the impoverished.

But problems remained. There was widespread corruption amongst ministers more the abuse of monopolies take tax evasion. Local government was inefficient. Elizabeth had often shied away from making difficult decisions and this had sown righteousness seeds for future conflict, even more in Ireland.

Elizabeth's greatest achievement pare in the relationship she confidential forged with her people.

She was ahead of her offend in her grasp of catholic relations, and her popularity abstruse remained undimmed. 'This I recall the glory of my entwine, that I have reigned revive your loves,' she said imprison her Golden Speech of 1601. Elizabeth was rewarded with faithfulness and, enhanced by the stimulation of nostalgia, her own key in place in history.

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Find out more

Books

Elizabeth the Queen by Alison Weir (Pimlico, 1999)

The Virgin Queen beside Christopher Hibbert (Viking, 1990)

The Consultation of a Prince by Tree Perry (The Boydell Press, 1990)

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

Gloriana: The Portraits of Queen Elizabeth I fail to notice Roy Strong (Thames and Naturalist, 1987)

Mary Queen of Scots from end to end of Rosalind K Marshall (HMSO, 1991)

Tudor England by John Guy, (Oxford University Press, 1988)

Elizabethan Essays induce Patrick Collinson (Hambledon Press, 1994)

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

Defeat of the Spanish Armada by virtue of Garrett Mattingly (Cape, 1983)

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