Elizabeth I Queen of England 1533 - 1603

Elizabeth IQueen of England 1533 - 1603

Elizabeth I was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Born in September 1533, she did not have a happy or stable childhood. Her mother was beheaded when she was two and a half years old and she was declared illegitimate. Jane Seymour, Henry's third wife was kind to her but she died when Elizabeth was six years old. After her father's death in 1547, Elizabeth had been taken in by Henry's sixth wife, Katherine Parr and her new husband Thomas Seymour. However, she had to leave their house when Katherine got jealous because Thomas was paying Elizabeth too much attention.

Elizabeth's half-brother Edward VI had become king when Henry VIII died and had changed the religion of England to Protestantism but when he died the throne went to her half-sister, Mary, who was a Catholic. Mary saw Elizabeth, a Protestant, as a threat to her position and had her imprisoned in the Tower of London. Elizabeth came to the throne in 1558 after her sister, Mary I, died.

September1533 Elizabeth was born in _________________ . Her parents were Henry VIII and ____________. Her mother was beheaded when she was _________________ years old and she was declared _____________ . Henry's new queen was kind to her but she died when Elizabeth was_______ years old. After Henry VIII's death in_______ she was taken in by Henry's sixth and surviving wife, Katherine Parr but had to leave because Katherine's husband Thomas Seymour was paying her too much attention. Anne Boleyn two and a half illegitimate six 1547 Elizabeth's brother Edward had changed the religion of England to _______________. After he died , Elizabeth's sister Mary became queen. Mary was a Catholic and saw Elizabeth, a Protestant, as a threat. Elizabeth was ____________ . When Mary died in _______ Elizabeth became queen of England. Protestantism put in the Tower of London 1558

When Elizabeth I came to the throne in 1558 after the death of her sister, Mary she needed to win the support of all her people, Catholics and Protestants, those who believed that a woman could not run a country by herself. One of the best ways for a monarch to win support was by making a tour of the country and showing themselves to the people. In Tudor times this was called a 'progress'. This was not an option for Elizabeth because she had many Catholic enemies and it was not safe for her to travel around the country. She chose, instead, to use portraits to show herself to her people. It was, therefore, essential that the portraits showed an image of Elizabeth that would impress her subjects. At intervals throughout her reign the government issued portraits of Elizabeth that were to be copied and distributed throughout the land. No other portraits of the Queen were allowed.

Which picture was painted when?

A – Painted just after Elizabeth's coronation. B - Painted in 1546 when Elizabeth was 13 years old. C - Painted at the beginning of her reign when she was 25 years old. D - Painted near the end of her reign when she was 69 years old. E - Painted to show Elizabeth as the 'Virgin Queen'. F - Painted after Elizabeth's death when people were glad to have a new King. G - Painted in the 1590s when people's living conditions had greatly improved. H - Painted shortly after the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

A - Painted just after Elizabeth's coronation. B - Painted in 1546 when Elizabeth was 13 years old. C - Painted at the beginning of her reign when she was 25 years old. D - Painted near the end of her reign when she was 69 years old. E - Painted to show Elizabeth as the 'Virgin Queen'. F - Painted after Elizabeth's death when people were glad to have a new King. G - Painted in the 1590s when people's living conditions had greatly improved. H - Painted shortly after the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

What did Elizabeth really look like? You have already learned that Elizabeth was very strict about the portraits of herself that were issued. But did you ask yourself why? What was she trying to hide? What Elizabeth was really like: Elizabeth was short about 5'3 or 5'5 with brown eyes and red curly hair. She was afraid of mice. She had a bad temper and would throw things or threaten to send courtiers to the Tower if they upset her. She swore and spat when she was angry. Elizabeth's teeth were black with tooth decay. Her speech was sometimes difficult to understand because of missing teeth. Elizabeth was very superstitious and was afraid of black magic. She only bathed once every few weeks.

This famous picture of Elizabeth was painted to commemorate the defeat of the Spanish Armada by the English navy in 1588. Have a good look at the painting, then see if you can answer the questions below.

Why was the picture painted? Because Elizabeth had a new dress It was time for a new portrait To commemorate the defeat of the Spanish Armada To show Elizabeth liked boats

What does the scene in the left window show? The Spanish Armada A nice day ay the sea English fire ships being sent to meet the Armada A boat race

What does the scene in the right window show? England has stormy weather The Spanish Armada shipwrecked on rocks It will soon be night time The English navy shipwrecked

Why is Elizabeth’s right hand on a glob? The chair has no arms rests To stop it moving for the artist To show England had colonies in America Elizabeth ruled the world

What do her clothes show? She liked bows It was her favorite dress She was fat She was rich and powerful

Why is she wearing black and white? Her favorite colors It looked good with the background Black and white are the colors of purity and wisdom Her only clean dress

Elizabeth I ruled in England for almost 45 years. During her reign England became very important in European politics, the Spanish Armada was defeated, arts and especially theatre developed and the country became very powerful.

http://www.projectbritain.com

Elizabeth I Queen of England 1533 - 1603