Showing posts with label Queen Bess. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Queen Bess. Show all posts

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Today in Queen Bess's Life



Today marks the anniversary of Elizabeth's famous Golden Speech delivered to the Members of the House of Commons in 1601.  It was to be the last time that she would ever address members of Parliament.

From the speech:
"It is not my desire to live or reign longer than my life and reign shall be for your good. And though you have had, and may have, many mightier and wiser princes sitting in this seat, yet you never had, nor shall have, any that will love you better."

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Today in Queen Bess's Life

Edward VI by Hans Holbein

In 1537, Elizabeth becomes a big sister to Edward -- the child of her father and his third wife, Jane Seymour.  His birth was a source of much joy and relief for his father, his Advisors, and the English people.  I'm going to bet that his mother was the most joyous and relieved since the two wives previous didn't fare well when they were unable to provide a male heir.

Alas, the Queen's joy was short-lived when she died ten days after the birth of her son due to post-natal complications.

A little over nine years later (and three more wives), Henry would die and his son would succeed him as King.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Today in Queen Bess's Life


"I do not want a husband who honours me as a queen, if he does not love me as a woman."

"I would rather be a beggar and single than a queen and married."

-- Queen Elizabeth I

Born:  September 7, 1533
Died:  March 24, 1603

(she gets two quotes because she is my Ultimate Spinster of All Time)

Friday, August 9, 2013

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.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Today in Queen Bess's Life

Britain's defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 is, perhaps, one of those events that is taught in most every Western History class as it was the moment that Britain proved its superiority on the seas.  The battle also resulted in a technological revolution that changed the face of naval battles.

The planned invasion by Spain was ordered by the Kind of Spain, Phillip II, and supported by the then Pope, Sixtus V.  Phillip was the widower of Elizabeth's older, Roman Catholic sister, Mary.  Ever since Mary's death, Phillip had challenged the legitimacy of Elizabeth's rule and called her a heretic for her Protestant beliefs.  The failed invasion had been regarded as a crusade.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Today in Queen Bess's Life


Just eleven days after the execution of her mother, Anne Boleyn, in 1536, Bess's father, Henry VIII marries Jane Seymour.  Jane had been a Lady in Waiting to both of Henry's first two wives:  Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn.

Henry's eagerness to marry Jane was fueled by his desire for a male heir.  Jane was quite the opposite of Anne Boleyn

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Today in Queen Bess's Life


Anne Boleyn is executed on Tower Hill in 1536.  Her speech:

“Good Christian people, I have not come here to preach a sermon; I have come here to die. For according to the law and by the law I am judged to die, and therefore I will speak nothing against it. I am come hither to accuse no man, nor to speak of that whereof I am accused and condemned to die, but I pray God save the King and send him long to reign over you, for a gentler nor a more merciful prince was there never, and to me he was ever a good, a gentle, and sovereign lord. And if any person will meddle of my cause, I require them to judge the best. And thus I take my leave of the world and of you all, and I heartily desire you all to pray for me.”

Read More...


Also today, Elizabeth was released from the Tower and taken to Woodstock to continue her imprisonment under house arrest.  The procession from the Tower to Woodstock showed that Elizabeth had many supporters as she received an enthusiastic reception by the commoners.  Elizabeth would remain almost a year at Woodstock during which time the stress took a toll on her health as she waited for the moment that she would be taken back to the Tower for execution.  Her freedom was very limited -- including access to writing materials.  It was at Woodstock that she wrote the following on a shutter:
"Much suspected by me,
Nothing proved can be, 
Quoth Elizabeth prisoner."

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Today in Queen Bess's Life

Anne Boleyn and her brother, George, were tried in the King's Hall in the Tower of London in 1536.  The charges included adultery, incest, and treason.  In response, Anne gave the following speech:
"I do not say that I have always borne toward the king the humility which I owed him, considering the kindness and the great honour he showed me and the great respect he always paid me; I admit too, that I have often taken it into my head to be jealous of him ... But may God be my witness if I have done him any other wrong."
It was an effort in futility...

Account of the Trial of Anne Boleyn

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Today in Queen Bess's Life

The Arrest of Anne Boleyn, David Wilkie Winfield
In 1536, it is the beginning of the end for Elizabeth's mother.  Anne is arrested and taken to the Tower.  She will only have days to live.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Today in Queen Bess's Life

Elizabeth was laid to rest at Westminster Abbey, 1603.

John Stow, English Historian and Antiquarian, was in attendance and wrote of the funeral:
"Westminster was surcharged with multitudes of all sorts of people in their streets, houses, windows, leads and gutters, that came to see the obsequy, and when they beheld her statue lying upon the coffin, there was such a general sighing, groaning and weeping as the like hath not been seen or known in the memory of man."
One of the two inscriptions on her tomb says:
"To the eternal memory of Elizabeth queen of England, France and Ireland, daughter of King Henry VIII, grand-daughter of King Henry VII, great-grand-daughter to King Edward IV. Mother of her country, a nursing-mother to religion and all liberal sciences, skilled in many languages, adorned with excellent endowments both of body and mind, and excellent for princely virtues beyond her sex. James, king of Great Britain, France and Ireland, hath devoutly and justly erected this monument to her whose virtues and kingdoms he inherits."

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Today in Queen Bess's Life

Tomb Effigy of Queen Elizabeth I

Elizabeth passed away on this day in 1603.  Her cause of death has never been determined, but common speculation is that she died due to blood poisoning -- perhaps from years of application of the white makeup on her face called Venetian Ceruse.  The concoction was made up white lead and vinegar.  Considering we don't want our children in homes with lead paint these days, it certainly seems probable that this was the cause of the great queen's death.

In my romantic mind, I love the legend that her last word was  "Robin" -- in reference to her longtime lover, Robert Dudley. She could have never married Dudley without severe political consequences.  Alas, her death was likely much less romantic as it is also speculated that she was in a deep sleep for a few days before she finally expired.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Today in Queen Bess's Life

On this day in 1554, Elizabeth was imprisoned in the Tower of London for her suspected involvement in the Wyatt Rebellion.  Led by Sir Thomas Wyatt, the intent was to displace Elizabeth's half sister, Mary, from the throne and replace her with Elizabeth.  Their beef with Mary?  That she was Roman Catholic and set to marry the very Roman Catholic Prince Phillip of Spain.  It was the desire of the rebels to retain the Protestant rule started by Mary and Elizabeth's father, Henry VIII.

It was assumed that Elizabeth was complicit in the plot -- thus her incarceration.

Upon her arrival by boat at the Tower (the very place her mother was beheaded), Elizabeth said:

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Today in Queen Bess's Life

Scene from Henry VI, part I
Today is the estimated date of the first production of William Shakespeare's first play, Henry VI, Part I in 1592.  The date is "estimated" because Shakespeare's plays weren't actually published until after his death.  Being a playwright was a dangerous occupation in Elizabethan times as an author who expressed slanderous or heretic views in their writing could be subjected to torture and, possibly, execution.

The Queen was a patron of Shakespeare.  There is mythology that Elizabeth was, in fact, William Shakespeare herself.  But when would she have found the time?  Plus, many of his plays were written after her death, so this myth doesn't hold water.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Today in Queen Bess's Life

King Erick XIV of Sweden
Elizabeth had many suitors.  And why not?  She was rich, articulate, accomplished, and the leader of the most powerful nation in the Western World.  Why do all the work when your wife can do it for you?  One of her most ardent pursuers was King Erik XIV of Sweden.

On this day in 1560, Elizabeth finally doused the flames of his love with the following letter:

Most Serene Prince Our Very Dear Cousin,

A letter truly yours both in the writing and sentiment was given us on 30 December by your very dear brother, the Duke of Finland.  And while we perceive there from that the zeal and love of your mind towards us is not diminished, yet in part we are grieved that we cannot gratify your Serene Highness with the same kind of affection.  And that indeed does not happen because we doubt in any way of your love and honour, but, as often we have testified both in words and writing, that we have never yet conceived a feeling of that kind of affections towards anyone.  We therefore beg your Serene Highness again and again that you be pleased to set a limit to your love, that it advance not beyond the laws of friendship for the present nor disregard them in the future.  And we in turn shall take care that whatever can be required for the holy preservation of friendship between Princes we will always perform towards your Serene Highness.  It seems strange for your Serene Highness to write that you understand from your brother and your ambassadors that we have entirely determined not to marry an absent husband; and that we shall give you no certain reply until we shall have seen your person.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Today in Queen Bess's Life


In 1547, Elizabeth's younger brother, Edward was crowned and became Edward VI of England.  He was only nine years old, but it would make sense that he was ready to be King since his father had signed the Treaty of Greenwich in July of 1543 which formally betrothed his young son to the then seven month old Mary Queen of Scots.

To help the boy with the task of ruling an entire country, his father had names sixteen executors who were to act as Edward's Council until he reached the age of 18.  And, in keeping with any monarch's reign during that time, the boy found himself surrounded by scoundrels and schemers.

Stay tuned...

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Today in Queen Bess's Life

Portrait of Elizabeth c1560
Artist Unknown
On this day in 1559, Elizabeth responded to Parliament's request that she marry.  It was the first of Parliament's delegations that she marry.  Her response was measured and finely crafted.  In fact, she suggests that it is God that does not want her to marry and that it has nothing to do with her own desires.  That if God wanted her to marry, he would incline her heart toward a man she should marry.  Ever proper, she ends her speech very politely:
"And here I end, and take your coming unto me in good part, and give unto all eftsoons my hearty thanks, more yet for your zeal and good meaning than for your petition."
The speech can be read in its entirety here

Spinster's modern spin:
I know that your codpieces are all in a twirl.  What can I say?  God has not yet provided me with a man that can keep up with me.  Seriously, I speak five languages, am an accomplished writer and horsewoman, escaped execution by my own sister, and became the friggin' Queen of England!  Who do you think can possibly live up to that?
Go home and worry about your own shit, I've got things to do.
Peace,
Queen Lizzilicious

Because I cannot find the date of Elizabeth's response to Parliament's second entreaty to marry in 1566, I will include it here as this speech is the one that receives more attention -- likely for the change in tone and the solid tongue lashing that it is unleashed upon the Members.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Today in Queen Bess's Life

Tomb Effigy of Mary Queen of Scots
On this day in 1587, Elizabeth's cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, was executed upon Elizabeth's orders.  For what?  Basically for plotting the assassination of Elizabeth.  What would Mary gain by Elizabeth's death?  The English throne as she was the eldest descendant of Henry VIII's sister.  Roman Catholics believed she was the rightful heir since Elizabeth was both illegitimate and a Protestant Heretic.

Mary became the Queen of Scotland when she was six days old and her father died.  When she was only six months old, Henry VIII tried to propose a treaty with Scotland that would wed Mary to his son Edward.  Some of the Regents left in charge of Scotland didn't like this idea and, eventually, Mary was sent to France.  It was in France that she was raised with the Prince Dauphin and they married when she was sixteen (and he was fifteen).

Monday, January 28, 2013

Today in Queen Bess's Life

In 1547, Elizabeth's father, Henry VIII, died.  And that is when the proverbial shit started hitting the fan, so to speak.  Even though Henry had a male heir that was also a protestant, he was just a child -- and sickly.  Right behind him was her older sister, Mary, who was Roman Catholic and wanted to bring the country back to her mother's religion -- and then there was Elizabeth.

Dude had a lot of things wrong with him when he died -- morbid obesity, pussing ulcerated sores, paranoia ... Definitely not cute.  There was a rumor that he had syphilis, but more modern theories suggest untreated Type 2 Diabetes.  With his lifestyle, it probably could have been either -- or both.

I'll have to admit that part of my motivation for including Henry's death in this series is my morbid fascination with his burial.  Four years earlier, a Franciscan Friar (Peto), condemned the king from the pulpit and compared him to King Ahab in the Bible.  Peto said that dogs would lick up his blood at his death.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Today in Queen Bess's Life

On this day in 1533, King Henry VIII (Elizabeth's father) married his second wife, Anne Boleyn (Elizabeth's mother).
It was a courtship that lasted a little over four years as Henry tried to work out the details of divorcing from his first Queen, Catherine of Aragon.  During that time, Henry did not hold back when writing love letters to his beloved:
"It is absolutely necessary for me to obtain this answer, having been for above a whole year stricken with the dart of love, and not yet sure whether I shall fail of finding a place in your heart and affection..."
On Henry's part at least, it seems that the union was born out of love.  The cynical believe it was solely for the purpose of providing Henry his much wanted (and needed) male heir -- though that was part of the objective -- that his first Queen could not provide.  Others contend that Anne was not in love with him but was the pawn of her greedy, social climbing family that saw her position of Queen as a means to gain social status and the wealth that comes with the favours of a generous King.

Whether or not the marriage was a result of politics, the impact on politics was profound.  Henry was eventually excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Paul III.  Not to be deterred, Henry installed himself Supreme Head of the Church of England.

Willing or not, I can't help but believe that Anne had no idea the impact her marriage would have on the world.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Today in the History of Queen Bess's Life

In my humble opinion, Queen Elizabeth I, was the Ultimate Spinster of All Time (USAT).  Her reign brought a small island to the forefront of world politics, saw the rise of one of the greatest authors of all time, and showed the world that a woman could lead a nation to greatness.

2013 marks the 580th anniversary of her birth.  While I started this blog as a way to release my Spinster Stress and, perhaps, entertain, I also wanted to celebrate the Spinster.  No husband and no kids does not mean a life of 'less'.

To celebrate this 580th year of Queen Bess's birth, I will, throughout the year mark important moments of her life and reign.

It seems fitting to start with today as it is the anniversary of Elizabeth's Coronation at Westminster Abbey, London, in 1559 at the tender age 25.