Famous Spinster Birthday -- Cameron Diaz

"I don't believe you should make fun of anyone but yourself."  -- Cameron Diaz

Born:  August 30, 1972

Famous Spinster Birthday -- Mother Teresa

"Spread love everywhere you go.  Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."  -- Mother Teresa

Born:  August 26, 1910
Died:  September 5, 1997

(Out of respect for Mother Teresa's beliefs, I acknowledge that she was, indeed, married.  However, I think she really, really rocks so I am using the secular definition of marriage.)

Famous Spinster Birthday -- Coco Chanel

"I never wanted to weigh more heavily on a man than a bird."  -- Coco Chanel

Born:  August 19, 1883
Died:  January 10, 1971

Today in Queen Bess's Life

Today marks the anniversary of the Queen's speech to the troops at Tilbury after the defeat of the Spanish Armada ten days earlier in 1588.

There are different accounts of the speech.  The one I like the best:

"My loving people

We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit our selves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear. I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust.

I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.

I know already, for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure you in the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you. In the mean time, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people."

Yeah, I went cheesy with the photo because it's one of my favorite scenes from the movie Elizabeth:  The Golden Age.