Elizabeth I was Queen of England and Ireland from 17th November 1558 to 24th March 1603 and she was considered one of the most important monarchs of England.
She was born 7th September 1533 and was the daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn.
Desperate for a male heir, Henry disowned Elizabeth as a child and when she was just two years old, she was removed from the line of succession and her mother was beheaded. For this reason, she lost her right to inherit the throne.When her father Henry VIII married his sixth wife, Catherine Parr, Elizabeth was welcomed back into the family. Catherine thought it was important for father and daughter to be reunited.
Desperate for a male heir, Henry disowned Elizabeth as a child and when she was just two years old, she was removed from the line of succession and her mother was beheaded. For this reason, she lost her right to inherit the throne.When her father Henry VIII married his sixth wife, Catherine Parr, Elizabeth was welcomed back into the family. Catherine thought it was important for father and daughter to be reunited.
When Henry VIII died, the crown went to her nine-year-old brother, King Edward VI, but his suddenly death was the occasion to give the crown to his eldest daughter, Mary I, until 1558, when she died. After Mary I’s death, Elizabeth inherited the throne.
Her coronation was on 15th January 1559 in Westminster Abbey and it was an impressive, expensive celebration.
Elizabeth was a very different ruler to her older half-sister, Mary, who was called ‘Bloody Mary’.
During Elizabeth’s reign, she tried to reconvert the country from Catholicism to Protestantism, like her father had done before her. But at the end, Elizabeth decided to make England a fairer place for everyone.In the 16th century many people believed that a woman couldn’t rule, but Elizabeth proved they were wrong. She was a great leader as any king who came before her.
Elizabeth was a very different ruler to her older half-sister, Mary, who was called ‘Bloody Mary’.
During Elizabeth’s reign, she tried to reconvert the country from Catholicism to Protestantism, like her father had done before her. But at the end, Elizabeth decided to make England a fairer place for everyone.In the 16th century many people believed that a woman couldn’t rule, but Elizabeth proved they were wrong. She was a great leader as any king who came before her.
Elizabeth never married, although she was often encouraged to do it. Parliament also tried to force her to get married, but she refused saying,
“I am already bound unto a husband which is the Kingdom of England”.
She never wanted to get married because she never wanted to create a link with another European country that would have benefitted from her country, making her less powerful. If she married an Englishman, it may have caused conflict between her ministers and advisors. Her refusal to marry lead to her being remembered as the ‘Virgin Queen.
On 24th March 1603 Elizabeth I died. She reigned for 44 years. As she had no children, and therefore no direct heir to the throne, she was the last Tudor monarch. Following her death, Mary, Queen of Scots’ son – James VI of Scotland – was named King James I of England.
The cause of her death was never known. Many people think Elizabeth may have had blood poisoning from the make-up she wore. Make-up in the Tudor era was full of toxic ingredients such as lead – and Elizabeth famously wore a lot of it!
The cause of her death was never known. Many people think Elizabeth may have had blood poisoning from the make-up she wore. Make-up in the Tudor era was full of toxic ingredients such as lead – and Elizabeth famously wore a lot of it!
GOLDEN AGE
Elizabeth’s reign is looked back on as a ‘Golden Age‘ in British history. It was a time of great exploration by men such as Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh, who discovered new lands and set up new colonies overseas. Poetry, music and literature flourished, and London opened its first theatres. Playwrights such as William Shakespeare were hugely popular.
In 1601, near the end of her reign, Elizabeth gave what is known as the ‘Golden Speech‘ to her politicians. In it she expressed her love for her country and subjects, and said,
In 1601, near the end of her reign, Elizabeth gave what is known as the ‘Golden Speech‘ to her politicians. In it she expressed her love for her country and subjects, and said,
“There is no jewel, be it of never so high a price, which I set before this jewel; I mean your love.”
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