Elizabeth was born on 7 September 1533, in Greenwich. She was the only daughter of King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. When she was born, Elizabeth was the heir presumptive to the throne of England because her older half-sister, Mary, had lost her position as heir when Henry annulled his marriage to her mother, Catherine of Aragon.
Elizabeth was just two years and eight months old when her mother was executed on 19 May 1536. With the annulment of her parents' marriage, Elizabeth was declared illegitimate and deprived of her place in the royal succession.
Eleven days after Anne Boleyn's death, Henry married again, this time with Jane Seymour. Jane died shortly after, in 1537, giving birth to a son, Edward.
Elizabeth spoke four languages: French, Flemish, Italian and Spanish. By 1544, she could also write English, Latin and Italian, and by the time her formal education ended, in 1550, Elizabeth was one of the most educated women of her generation.
Henry VIII died in 1547 and Edward became King at the age of just nine. Elizabeth moved in with her stepmother, Catherine Parr. There, she experienced an emotional crisis that some historians believe affected her for the rest of her life. In May 1548, Elizabeth was sent away after rumours of inappropriate activities carried on by Catherine's husband, Thomas Seymour.
Edward VI died on 6 July 1553, aged just 15. Mary and Elizabeth were both excluded from the succession, and Edward named Lady Jane Grey as his heir. She was proclaimed Queen, but was deposed just nine days later. On 3 August 1553, the now Queen Mary I rode triumphantly into London, with Elizabeth at her side.
In January and February 1554, Wyatt's rebellion broke out, but it was quickly suppressed. Elizabeth was brought to court, and interrogated regarding her role on the rebellion. On 18 March, she was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Elizabeth's supporters in the government convinced Mary to spare her sister in absence of evidence against her. Instead, Elizabeth was moved from the Tower and placed under house arrest in Woodstock.
On 6 November 1558, after failing to deliver an heir, Mary recognised Elizabeth as her heir. On 17 November, Mary died and Elizabeth succeeded her as Elizabeth I. On 15 January 1559, Elizabeth was crowned and anointed in Westminster Abbey; she was then presented for the people's acceptance.
Elizabeth set out to rule to good counsel and depended heavily on a group of trusted advisors, led by William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley. One of her first actions was the establishment of an English Protestant church.
Henry VIII died in 1547 and Edward became King at the age of just nine. Elizabeth moved in with her stepmother, Catherine Parr. There, she experienced an emotional crisis that some historians believe affected her for the rest of her life. In May 1548, Elizabeth was sent away after rumours of inappropriate activities carried on by Catherine's husband, Thomas Seymour.
Edward VI died on 6 July 1553, aged just 15. Mary and Elizabeth were both excluded from the succession, and Edward named Lady Jane Grey as his heir. She was proclaimed Queen, but was deposed just nine days later. On 3 August 1553, the now Queen Mary I rode triumphantly into London, with Elizabeth at her side.
In January and February 1554, Wyatt's rebellion broke out, but it was quickly suppressed. Elizabeth was brought to court, and interrogated regarding her role on the rebellion. On 18 March, she was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Elizabeth's supporters in the government convinced Mary to spare her sister in absence of evidence against her. Instead, Elizabeth was moved from the Tower and placed under house arrest in Woodstock.
On 6 November 1558, after failing to deliver an heir, Mary recognised Elizabeth as her heir. On 17 November, Mary died and Elizabeth succeeded her as Elizabeth I. On 15 January 1559, Elizabeth was crowned and anointed in Westminster Abbey; she was then presented for the people's acceptance.
Elizabeth set out to rule to good counsel and depended heavily on a group of trusted advisors, led by William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley. One of her first actions was the establishment of an English Protestant church.
It was expected that Elizabeth would marry and produce an heir to the throne but, despite many courtships and proposals, she never married. As she grew older, she became famous for her virginity.
In government, Elizabeth was more moderate than her father and half-siblings had been; in religion, she was relatively tolerant and avoided persecutions. She was cautious with foreign affairs, and manoeuvred between France and Spain. However, by the mid-1580s, war with Spain could no longer be avoided. The English defeat of the mighty Spanish Armada in 1588 associated Elizabeth with one of the greatest victories in English history.
Her reign is famous for the flourishing of English drama, led by playwrights like William Shakespeare, and for the seafaring prowess of people such as Francis Drake. However, towards the end of her reign, economic and military problems weakened her popularity.
In government, Elizabeth was more moderate than her father and half-siblings had been; in religion, she was relatively tolerant and avoided persecutions. She was cautious with foreign affairs, and manoeuvred between France and Spain. However, by the mid-1580s, war with Spain could no longer be avoided. The English defeat of the mighty Spanish Armada in 1588 associated Elizabeth with one of the greatest victories in English history.
Her reign is famous for the flourishing of English drama, led by playwrights like William Shakespeare, and for the seafaring prowess of people such as Francis Drake. However, towards the end of her reign, economic and military problems weakened her popularity.
Elizabeth is acknowledged as a charismatic performer and a dogged survivor, and after the short reigns of Edward VI and Mary I, her 44 years on the throne provided stability for the kingdom and helped forge a sense of national identity.
Elizabeth's health remained fair until 1602, when a series of deaths among her friends plunged her into a deep depression. In March 1603, she fell ill and remained melancholic, sitting on a cushion for hours on end.
Elizabeth's health remained fair until 1602, when a series of deaths among her friends plunged her into a deep depression. In March 1603, she fell ill and remained melancholic, sitting on a cushion for hours on end.
The Queen died on 24 March 1603, at Richmond Palace. She was interred in Westminster Abbey, where she shares a tomb with her half-sister Mary.
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Elizabeth I of England in her coronation robes
Unknown artist
(c. 1600) |
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