Profile of Queen Elizabeth I
Where was she born?
Queen Elizabeth was born on the 7th of Setember 1533 at Greenwich Palace, England. Her parents were King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Elizabeth's mother, Anne Boleyn, was the second wife of King Henry VIII. King Henry had six wives during his reign. Anne Boleyn was one of the two he beheaded.
How did she become queen?
When King Henry VIII died Elizabeth's brother, Edward became king. Edward was only 9 years old when he suceeded the throne. King Edward died at the age of fifteen of sickness. This was not uncommon during this time period. After Edward, Elizabeth's half-sister Mary Tudor became queen, as she was the oldest remaining child of King Henry and Edward certainaly didn't have any children. Mary died in 1558 because of a tumor in her stomach, which she thought was a child. Elizabeth became queen on November 17, 1558, because Mary didn't have any children and Elizabeth was the last remaining child of King Henry.
Who were her advisors?
Her main advisors were:
- William Cecil was Queen Elizabeth’s Secretary of State, but in 1571 he was moved to the position of Lord Treasurer. Elizabeth changed Sir Williams name to Lord Burleigh.
- Sir Francis Walsingham took over the position of Secretary of State at this time.
- Thomas Gresham was her Financial Advisor.
"I will have here but one mistress and no master." Quote from Queen Elizabeth I
What was her relationship with Mary?
Mary was Elizabeth's sister. There was seventeen years difference between their ages. Apart for the age difference there were many other reasons why Elizabeth and her half sister Mary were not close. Elizabeth's mother Anne Boleyn was hated by Mary for usurping the place of her mother Katharine of Aragon as Queen of England. During her early years Mary had been the much loved and looked up at Princess Mary, daughter of King Henry VIII of England. Elizabeth had taken her place for a short while until her mother was executed. The other major cause of their dislike for each was the differences in their religion. Mary Tudor was a devout Catholic and Elizabeth adhered to the Protestant religion. Mary became Queen before Elizabeth but Mary died on the 17th of November 1558.
Did she marry?
No but there were three theories on why she did not marry
-Elizabeth thought that her husband might overpower her to become King
-She never found anyone that she liked
-She had bad memories about her father, King Henry VIII, divorcing two of his wives and beheading two as well.
-Elizabeth thought that her husband might overpower her to become King
-She never found anyone that she liked
-She had bad memories about her father, King Henry VIII, divorcing two of his wives and beheading two as well.
"I have already joined myself in marriage, namely the Kingdom of England."
Quote from Queen Elizabeth I
How long did she reign?
17 November 1558 – 24 March 1603 (44 years and 127 days).
Queen Elizabeth I's reign ended on 24 March 1603. She died of blood poisoning - she was nearly 70 years of age. Arguably the greatest monarch that ever ruled England. Under her rule England prospered, became a major power, encouraged great literature by William Shakespeare, John Donne, Christopher Marlowe and Sir Edmund Spenser. Great explorers discovered new lands such as Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir John Hawkins, Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Sir Richard Greenville. It was indeed the Golden Age of England. Queen Elizabeth had lived a long life but her health was declining.
Queen Elizabeth I's reign ended on 24 March 1603. She died of blood poisoning - she was nearly 70 years of age. Arguably the greatest monarch that ever ruled England. Under her rule England prospered, became a major power, encouraged great literature by William Shakespeare, John Donne, Christopher Marlowe and Sir Edmund Spenser. Great explorers discovered new lands such as Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir John Hawkins, Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Sir Richard Greenville. It was indeed the Golden Age of England. Queen Elizabeth had lived a long life but her health was declining.