Queen Elizabeth the First
Queen Elizabeth the first was a very important and iconic figure in England’s history. She became queen of England, which was a feat in itself, and ruled without ever marrying. Since she never got married, and ruled successfully she changed the image of women into something amazing.
Queen Elizabeth the first was a very important and iconic figure in England’s history. She became queen of England, which was a feat in itself, and ruled without ever marrying. Since she never got married, and ruled successfully she changed the image of women into something amazing.
Queen Elizabeth’s father, king Henry the eighth, had a total of six wives the first wife of his, Catherine of Aragon, had a baby girl named Mary. King Henry the eighth wanted a son, which they did have but he sadly died after 52 days of life. When Catherine could no longer have children king henry had the archbishop, after going over the head of the pope, allow for divorce. After they were divorced he married Anne Boleyn who later gave birth to princess Elizabeth. King henry had her executed in the green of the tower of London. King Henry married 4 more times after that, a total of six. One of his many wives finally had a baby boy, prince Edward the sixth.
Queen Elizabeth was born on September 7th, 1533 in Greenwich England. 70 years later she passed away on March 24th, 1603 in Richmond England. She was laid to rest at Westminster Abbey in her grandfathers, king henry the seventh, chapel. On January 15th, 1559 was Elizabeth’s coronation date. She walked along a blue carpet that ran from the palace to the abbey (the abbey is the church). There were a few changes in the religious aspect of her coronation such as, readings for the Epistle were in English along with Latin and she retreated to curtained area in St. Edwards’s chapel when the Elevation of the Host was going on. Afterwards she went to Westminster hall for the traditional coronation banquet, that tradition ended with George the sixth in 1812.
Becoming queen was a major accomplishment itself for Elizabeth. This was because when her father died her 9-year-old brother became king and sadly died at the age of 13 because of a respiratory problem. He was always a sickly kid. After he died her half sister Mary became queen. This was a problem for Elizabeth. Her sister was afraid that she would attempt to become queen so she ordered that Elizabeth was to be imprisoned in the Tower of London. This was especially hard for her because that was where her mother was executed. There were a few rebellions made her name, which she probably knew little about. When her sister died she finally became the queen of England.
When Elizabeth became queen she was immediately descended upon suitors. However we know that she never married. The question, why? No one really knows for sure why she never married; yet some theorize it was because of the way her father had treated his wives and refused to be treated that way. Another theory people had come up with is more romantic, being that she couldn’t marry the man she truly loved, Robert Dudley, originally Robert was married, and when his wife Amy died of mysterious circumstances, Robert was cleared of any wrong doings. Although Robert was no longer married him and Elizabeth could still not marry because of the scandal that would certainly arise. Or possibly it was a combination of reasons, right now though there is no answer to the question of why she never married.
When Elizabeth became queen she had her cousin, the catholic queen Mary of Scotts killed, because of a plot against her. When the news got to the Spanish they sent their armada (navy) to take England in 1588. Queen Elizabeth was severely out gunned when the armada had 130 ships with 22 fighting galleons. Yet England managed to set fire to many of these ships and a storm had also sunken many of the armada’s ships. England being out gunned had won. Elizabeth had many other great achievements as well such as increasing literacy and promoting arts, she came to near death but managed to pull through a case of smallpox. She even managed to defend England as well as expand England over seas encouraging explorers to sail and find new lands to set up colonies there. She was a big fan of William Shakespeare. Not only that but she helped the poor as much as possible. She had also founded the Church of England, as we know it today. All of Elizabeth’s great achievements led to the loyalty, popularity and love of her people all around England.
Queen Elizabeth is still a very important and iconic figure because she truly started the change in opinions and views of how women should act and be treated with more respect, showing that women are indeed smart and independent people. She did this by never marrying and proving that women do not need a man in their life to guide them and that they can succeed. Queen Elizabeth also ruled during England’s golden age or as some called it the Elizabethan era. Elizabeth had achieved many amazing things and brought peace and prosperity to the country.
Works cited
http://www.elizabethfiles.com/elizabeth-is-main-achievements/2465/
http://tudorhistory.org/aragon/
"Biography: Queen Elizabeth I for Kids." Ducksters. Technological Solutions, Inc. (TSI), Apr. 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
http://www.ducksters.com/biography/women_leaders/queen_elizabeth_1.php.
“Good Queen Bess, the story of Elizabeth the first of England”
by Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema, published by four winds ny,ny
http://www.elizabethfiles.com/elizabeth-is-main-achievements/2465/
http://tudorhistory.org/aragon/
"Biography: Queen Elizabeth I for Kids." Ducksters. Technological Solutions, Inc. (TSI), Apr. 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
http://www.ducksters.com/biography/women_leaders/queen_elizabeth_1.php.
“Good Queen Bess, the story of Elizabeth the first of England”
by Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema, published by four winds ny,ny