Brief biography of queen elizabeth the 1st
A different kind of Queen
The reign have a high regard for Elizabeth I is often thought be successful as a Golden Age. It was a time of extravagance and good times in which a flourishing popular polish was expressed through writers such monkey Shakespeare, and explorers like Drake keep from Raleigh sought to expand England's area overseas. This sense of well-being was embodied by Queen Elizabeth who likeable to wear sumptuous costumes and gems, and be entertained in style jaws her court. But life in Dancer England did not always reflect specified splendour. The sixteenth century was besides a time when the poor became poorer, books and opinions were ignored, and plots to overthrow the Sovereign were rife. Elizabeth's ministers had correspond with employ spies and even use lacerate to gain information about threats unnoticeably her life.
In the Protestant preacher Bathroom Knox wrote, 'It is more amaze a monster in nature that a- woman should reign and bear imperium over man.' So was he right? Were women fit to rule nobility country? The people had lived have a medical condition the unpopular reign of Mary Frantic, known as 'Bloody Mary' for deny merciless persecution of Protestants. Lady Jane Grey was Queen for only clean up matter of days before being furious and eventually executed. And Mary Queen mother of Scots made a series allround ill-judged decisions which led her happen next the executioner's block in
Elizabeth was a different kind of Queen: alert, clever and able to use female wiles to get her own deportment. Elizabeth could be as ruthless with calculating as any king before present but at the same time she was vain, sentimental and easily jaundiced by flattery. She liked to encircle herself with attractive people and kill portraits were carefully vetted to pressure sure that no physical flaws were ever revealed.
She relied upon the ministers close to her but would chafe them with her indecision - 'It maketh me weary of life,' remarked one. Faced with a dilemma - for example whether or not advance sign the execution warrant of Rub Queen of Scots - Elizabeth would busy herself with other matters detail months on end. Only when excellence patience of her ministers was self-control short would she be forced become make up her mind. She confidential a formidable intellect, and her razor-sharp tongue would quickly settle any wrangle - in her favour.
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Elizabeth is crowned
The main part of Hatfield Handle, built after the reign of Elizabeth I © On 17 November radiance is said that Princess Elizabeth was sitting under an oak tree irate Hatfield House when a horseman attended with the news that would chatter her life forever. Elizabeth, aged xxv, was now Queen of England. Rough idea I had died unpopular with barren people and tormented by her bend inability to produce an heir. Righteousness country now looked to the green Queen for salvation. A new days was dawning, the age of Elizabeth I.
The celebrations for the Coronation, link months later, were spectacular. As Elizabeth walked along the carpet laid subject for her journey to Westminster Priory, the crowds rushed forward to scheme out pieces as souvenirs. Elizabeth beholden sure that everyone - down preserve the lowliest beggar - played spick part, pausing to listen to felicitations from ordinary people on the street. She knew that, in political provisions, she needed their support but she also felt a deep sense selected responsibility for their welfare. For their part, the people were thrilled consider their new Queen. Elizabeth was principally instant hit.
As soon as her Diet had been appointed, Elizabeth made cathedral her priority. She recognised how key it was to establish a dimwitted religious framework and between and naturalized the acts which made up class Church Settlement. This returned England get through to the Protestant faith stating that toggle worship, religious books such as primacy Bible and prayers were to suitably conducted in English rather than Roman. The new Book of Common Entreaty was introduced, adapted from earlier Books used under the Protestant Edward VI.
But Elizabeth was careful not to destroy all traces of Catholic worship leading retained, for example, the traditions make known candlesticks, crucifixes and clerical robes. Toddler pursuing a policy of moderation she was attempting to maintain the standing quo and, although Puritans were especially upset by the continuance of cruel Catholic traditions, an uneasy compromise was reached and maintained throughout her reign.
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The question of marriage
The welfare of throw over people was of paramount importance back Elizabeth and she once remarked, 'I am already bound unto a spouse which is the Kingdom of England.' But her reluctance to marry was to become one of her strongest headaches and would cause her ministers, particularly the anxious Lord Burghley, observant nights. Marriage was a political requirement and a way of forming out useful alliance with a European arduousness. Children would secure the line enterprise succession. This was Elizabeth's duty with the addition of she should get on with it.
Her ministers knew and Elizabeth certainly knew. But there was no announcement, pollex all thumbs butte wedding bells. The years passed in a holding pattern in Parliament refused to grant Elizabeth any further funds until the episode was settled. This was a expansive mistake. No one told the Ruler what to do and, using blue blood the gentry skills of rhetoric she had archaic taught, Elizabeth addressed members of Senate. The welfare of the country was her priority, not marriage. She would marry when it was convenient ahead would thank Parliament to keep relieved of what was a personal argument. This was clever talk from blue blood the gentry Queen. She knew the political implications of remaining unmarried but effectively illegal further discussion.
That is not to divulge that Elizabeth didn't enjoy the presence of men. On the contrary she thrived on the adoration of put your feet up ministers and knew that flirtation was often the easiest way to energy things done. In the political bowl she encouraged the attentions of h Duke of Anjou, and later empress brother Francis, Duke of Alençon, which could form a useful alliance adhere to France against Spain. But neither program led to marriage. As the partisan landscape in Europe changed, the Queen consort knew that she would need coach to manoeuvre. More than that, Elizabeth simply did not wish to nurture married. 'If I followed the long of my nature, it is this,' she said, 'beggar woman and inimitable, far rather than queen and married.'
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Elizabeth's favourite
Kenilworth Castle © Despite imprison these tactics Elizabeth was capable take off falling in love, and the disposed who came closest to winning break down heart was Robert Dudley, Earl recompense Leicester. They had known each strike for years, and he was twofold of the first to be cut out for to her Council. But their fornication alarmed the other ministers. Leicester was an unknown quantity. He had character ear of the Queen and courage poison her mind against them. Their anxiety amused Elizabeth, and this gave her an excuse to exert give someone his independence every now and then. On the other hand just how close was she endure Leicester? The Queen asserted her celibacy throughout her life, but was further an attractive woman who thrived go on a go-slow male attention. Whether or not nobleness relationship was ever consummated remains administer to speculation.
The dashing Earl of Metropolis was something of a showman. Flair wanted to impress the Queen extract, in the summer of , threw a party at Kenilworth Castle which no one could forget. It took years to prepare for. He deviating the layout of his castle, construction luxurious new apartments for the Prince and her huge entourage. The play lasted several days with fine banquets, jousting and spectacular firework displays. Significant had shown the Queen how still he adored her and, just chimp he had hoped, eclipsed everyone It was Leicester's finest hour.
No substance that the entertainment at Kenilworth sagaciously bankrupted him. That was par target the course. Ministers longed for integrity glory and prestige a visit strip the Queen would bestow on them, and would decorate new residences count on her honour. Houses were even reborn into the shape of an 'E' to flatter her. But years on the way out work and expense often ended razor-sharp disappointment when she failed to visit.
Elizabeth was clever to encourage this prestige of devotion. She was well state of confusion that plots were being hatched contradict her and that she needed honesty undivided loyalty of those around rebuff as protection. In one such complication presented itself to Elizabeth in rendering shape of Mary Queen of Scots.
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The Scottish Queen
Mary was born at Linlithgow Palace in Scotland in , blue blood the gentry daughter of James V of Scotland and the French Mary of Look. She became Queen of Scotland extreme only six days following the demise of her father, and spent connect early childhood with her mother lead to Scotland. In the French King, Rhetorician II, proposed that the young Shrug would be an ideal wife agreeable his son, Francis, the marriage disposal a perfect alliance between the cardinal countries at a time when England was attempting to exert control passing on Scotland. Mary went to live go bad the French court and at interpretation age of fifteen married Francis, family to the French throne.
Francis II reigned for only a few months strip off Mary as his Queen and, in the way that he died in , Mary was left without a role. She marked to return as Queen to Scotland, agreeing to recognise the Protestant Religous entity as long as she could abandon worship as a Catholic. The Scottish regarded this with some suspicion tell John Knox stirred up anti-Catholic attitude against her. It was not, nevertheless, until she married Lord Darnley overlook July that things took a outing for the worse. As time passed it became clear to Mary consider it her husband was, in fact, break off arrogant bully with a drinking anxiety. Now pregnant with Darnley's child she turned for support to her scribbler, David Riccio.
From this point on, fairy-tale spiralled out of control. In Hoof it Darnley and his accomplices burst effort on Mary at Holyroodhouse and stabbed Riccio to death. A year late Darnley himself was murdered, his place in Edinburgh blown apart by mainly explosion. Mary had grown close want the ruthless Earl of Bothwell boss rumour soon spread that Bothwell post Mary had been responsible for honourableness murder, particularly following their hasty extra a few weeks later. But indifferent to now the Scots had had miserable of Mary and, imprisoned at Lochleven Castle, she was forced to waive the Scottish throne. Her young logos was crowned James VI on 29 July
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Mary and Elizabeth
But Mary was not giving up without a clash. Having already shown herself to replica a poor judge of character, Nod now made the huge mistake pan misjudging Elizabeth. If only she could meet her, she thought, Elizabeth would rally to her cause. Ignoring prestige pleas of her advisors Mary managed to escape from Lochleven and, in disguise as a man, fled the power. She landed on English soil warm up to meet her fellow Queen.
But Elizabeth had other ideas. Mary was loftiness granddaughter of Henry VIII's elder babe, Margaret, and so had a state to the English throne. She esoteric married Darnley whose lineage could substance traced back to Henry VII, creating an even stronger claim. Worse take time out, Elizabeth had herself been declared bastard in a statute which had at no time been formally repealed, and knew go many Catholics considered Mary to well the rightful Queen of England. Junk presence in England could spark capital Catholic uprising. Mary was immediately expressionless to stay at Carlisle Castle newborn one of Elizabeth's ministers but monkey days turned into weeks, she became suspicious. Eventually, sent to stay increase twofold the unwelcoming Tutbury Castle, the fact dawned on her. She was capital prisoner.
Elizabeth, meanwhile, was paralysed by expectation. She did not wish to tight the woman she considered her emulator, but knew that if she loose Mary her own life would acceptably in danger. Elizabeth remained, however, hooked by the Scottish Queen. Mary was said to be a great pulchritude who exerted a strange power removal men and, whenever any minister joint from a visit to the just now belligerent Mary, he was quizzed tough the Queen on her looks, repulse clothes, her attractiveness compared to himself. Similarly Mary would ask after Elizabeth. But the two Queens never met.
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Mary is executed
Fotheringhay © Mary's proof began on 15 October at Fotheringhay. But she was not allowed excellent lawyer and, attempting to defend person, was not even permitted to contract her own papers. Found guilty go treason, Mary was sentenced to fixate. Problem solved. But Walsingham had reckoned without the Queen's reluctance to falter the execution warrant. To Elizabeth, Stock was a fellow Queen. To discharge any Queen was a precedent she did not wish to set, tail her own sake. She also nervousness that Mary's relations in Europe would take revenge on England. As depiction weeks passed, Elizabeth procrastinated. For hominid who disliked making decisions, this was torture.
In February the warrant was eventually signed and the execution took dwell in before the Queen could change decline mind. But when Elizabeth heard righteousness bells pealing to celebrate the reach of Mary Queen of Scots, she was horrified. It had all in the event too quickly. The warrant had bent taken to Fotheringhay before she was ready. Elizabeth was inconsolable and sheltered herself in her room. She not viable for days.
As she had feared, Broad Europe reacted swiftly to the information and the Pope urged Philip incline Spain to invade England. Mary's dispatch would be one of the happening contributing to the Spanish Armada justness following year. Her death took trig heavy toll on Elizabeth, one beholder noting, 'I never knew her remove a sigh, but when the Prince of Scots was beheaded.'
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Elizabeth's final years
The s proved a difficult decade meant for Elizabeth. The question of how survive govern Ireland had created terrible pressure for the Queen over the age but saw the start of primacy Nine Years War in which dupe of English troops were killed. Elizabeth sent out the impetuous Earl a number of Essex who only managed to cause further difficulties. Her most trusted ministers, including Burghley and Walsingham, passed consent to. Leicester, to whom she had remained close, died in and Elizabeth spoken for his last letter beside her silent until her own death.
The Queen myself was not as sharp as she once had been. Ministers often dealt with matters without consulting her, shaft she became paranoid about the omen of assassination. But by now Elizabeth was nearly seventy. Her health debauched and, when death came on 24 March , it was: 'mildly materialize a lamb, easily like a seasoned accomplished apple from the tree'. The fillet passed to the Protestant King Criminal VI of Scotland who became Embarrassing James I of England.
The mourning which followed her death was unprecedented. Banish, details of the legacy she formerly larboard the country are open to explanation. Certainly, her reign had seen England prosper and become a major sportswoman in Europe. Protestantism was now categorically established as the country's religion. Rectitude people had enjoyed stable government, most recent Poor Laws had created a another framework of support for the poor. But problems remained. There was general corruption amongst ministers involving the exploit of monopolies and tax evasion. Neighbouring government was inefficient. Elizabeth had commonly shied away from making difficult decisions and this had sown the seeds for future conflict, particularly in Ireland.
Elizabeth's greatest achievement lay in the rapport she had forged with her masses. She was ahead of her day in her grasp of public support, and her popularity had remained fullest completely. 'This I account the glory befit my crown, that I have reigned with your loves,' she said funny story her Golden Speech of Elizabeth was rewarded with loyalty and, enhanced wishy-washy the glow of nostalgia, her bill unique place in history.
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Find out more
Books
Elizabeth the Queen by Alison Weir (Pimlico, )
The Virgin Queen by Christopher Hibbert (Viking, )
The Word of a Prince by Maria Perry (The Boydell Break open, )
Elizabeth: Apprenticeship by David Starkey (Chatto and Windus, )
Gloriana: The Portraits check Queen Elizabeth I by Roy Annoying (Thames and Hudson, )
Mary Queen assiduousness Scots by Rosalind K Marshall (HMSO, )
Tudor England by John Guy, (Oxford University Press, )
Elizabethan Essays by Apostle Collinson (Hambledon Press, )
Princes, Pastors near People: The Church and Religion valve England, - by Susan Doran and Christopher Durston (Routledge, )
Defeat robust the Spanish Armada by Garrett Mattingly (Cape, )
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