Elizabeth I
The daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth of England was the last and greatest of the Tudors.
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Elizabeth's
years as Princess were tumultuous to say the least. As a child, both her mother and a
step-mother were executed, and in her brother's reign, Elizabeth was investigated for treasonous
activities in connection with her guardian Thomas Seymour. Elizabeth was also suspected of
conspiracy by her sister Queen Mary, and was for a time imprisoned in the Tower of London.
The danger of these years certainly gave Elizabeth the cautious and careful nature for
which she was later known for as Queen. Even though she was courted by many admirers in her own kingdom, and by several prospective foreign bridegrooms, Elizabeth chose never to marry. Her greatest love was Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and her greatest disappointment his step-son the Earl of Essex who raised an unsuccessful rebellion against the Crown in the Queen's last years. |
Elizabeth's reign saw the flourishing of English literature, the defeat of the Spanish Armada, and the beginnings of England as a colonial power. Even in her old age, the Queen was refered to as 'Gloriana' - a legend in her own lifetime.
Pictured: Elizabeth I (Cate Blanchett) from the film Elizabeth.
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