Elizabeth was the unwanted daughter of King Henry VIII, the king who killed her mother, because she did not bear a son. Elizabeth grew up in a country at war with it self in the wake of King Henry?s religious reforms. Through no fault of her own, Elizabeth was cast aside by her own father; resulting in a lonely childhood and adolescence. While her half sister Mary I was queen, as a young women Elizabeth lived quietly, waiting for her opportunity to succeed. On November. 17, 1558, Mary died and Elizabeth began her reign. During her years as a queen, Elizabeth influenced England greatly, with which to this day the Elizabethan age is most often associated. Education was one of Elizabeth?s greatest influences on England. Perhaps her influence on the importance of education as a young girl and her longed desire to learn helped her strive for this particular goal. Children in those days began their studies really early in the morning. They were expected to work long hours with out getting distracted. Over the years her tutors wrote glowing reports on her excellent progress. At ten years old, Elizabeth was excellent at Latin, and she could speak Italian pretty well. She was also taught ancient and modern languages, religion, history, geography, mathematics, science, and music.
She kept up her studies even when she became queen.(Zamoyska 10-11) Queen Elizabeth introduced to her country the seeds of freedom, which English men now took for granted. The growing number of printing presses made books more readily available, because an increasing amount of people, both men and women began As a Protestant, Elizabeth influenced her country?s religious decisions. According to Zamoyska: While Mary was still queen of England, Elizabeth did not want to risk her greatest opportunity of being next in line. She had a difficult task of having to conform openly to the Catholics, while still keeping support for the Protestants and the younger generation that ?looked up to her.? (19) ?Elizabeth?s first decisions bore on the religious issues. She turned the situation back to the state of things during the last years of Edward VI, allowing the repatriation of
The Essay on Why did Elizabeth I pursue a compromised religious settlement?
Why did Elizabeth I pursue a compromised religious settlement? The Elizabethan Settlement was intended to put an end to the religious controversy that had developed in the latter part of the reign of Henry VIII, and had swung from one extreme under Edward VI to the other under Bloody Mary. So, in 1559, Elizabeth created a religious settlement which would finally unite her people. Elizabeth ...
the Protestant leaders who had been driven out underMary.She didn?t, however encourage further changes, and essentially supported the Church of England …? Moderate Protestantism had been practiced under Henry VIII , and under Edward VI even more radical Protestant programs were implemented.. Mary in the other hand, had restored the Roman Catholic faith. Elizabeth herself was a moderate Protestant, and her settlement excluded papal authority, and brought back the Book of Common Prayer. This however did not recognize the demands of the extreme Puritans. During her reign a lot of pressure continued, but she resisted. Eventually the Puritans were driven underground. One of her greatest fears was that an alliance of Catholic powers might force her out of the throne, and introduce again a Catholic monarch. Eventually Elizabeth send English forces to fight on the Protestant side: In the war of religion in France and the revolt of the Dutch against Spanish rule. (Academic American Encyclopedia 141) The Spanish Armada was perhaps the greatest threat to Elizabeth. Intending this fleet to secure the deposition of Elizabeth in favor of himself, Philip II of Spain-Thus restoring Catholicism.
The Naval battle in the English Channel devasted the Spanish flotilla. The use of the fire ships, English seaman ship and the ?Protestant Wind? as the English call it, were responsible for the English victory that turned out to be so famous. (Academic American Encyclopedia 142) Before the war, Queen Elizabeth made a dramatic speech to her troops at Tulbury. She assured them that she had ?…the heart and stomach of a king? and she promised that ?…we shall shortly have a famous victory over these enemies of my God, my kingdom, and my people.? She wore a gleaming silver armor and a white velvet dress. She was not about to barricade herself into one of her castles in this time of danger, but she was intending to show her country what a queen could be. The war was declared an English victory. Thus the defeat of the Armada strengthened Elizabeth?s position as a figure of Protestantism. She was the one who in spite of everything, seemed ?invincible.? (Bush 87-90) Queen Elizabeth was the most important patron of Elizabethan theater. ?Her influence was essential protecting the theatrical profession from puritan inspired prohibitions, and her court provided an important source of income and prestige for leading London acting According to Boyce, Elizabeth was fond of William Shakespeare?s plays.
The Essay on Elizabeth I 4
Were Queen Elizabeth I and Catherine the Great effective rulers? Were their reigns characterized as good or not so well? Disregarding the opinion of those who reigned concurrently or historians today, these two ruled their country in a time of turmoil and uncertainty! The world and the people within it were undergoing a major transition. New lands were being discovered as well as major role- ...
She was especially pleased with Falstaff. She was so pleased that she commanded the play wright to produce a play in which the ?fat knight? falls in love; resulting in the play entitled The Merry Wives of Windsor. Cranmer?s eulogy to Elizabeth in Henry VII, delivered by an important English national hero, without a doubt reflects the nostalgia for her reign by England, a decade after her death. Elizabeth?s reign did not only influence theater, but it literature as well as art and music(172) Elizabeth influenced the manner in which the court was programmed, mainly because of her personality. According to Rachum ?…she had her way with people and possessed a high sense of her own authority. She also knew how to take advantage of a particular circumstance as a single women surrounded by men.(162) Court officials and guests frequently displayed coarse manners, even though 16th century court etiquette was complex and highly structured. ?…The queen herself sometimes slapped her maids and often swore; a habit that amused the retainers, and disgusted the clergy.?(Bush 67) It was made clear through Elizabeth that she would not stand any disobedience, patterning her rule after her father?s model of absolute monarchy.
Many people compared Elizabeth?s method of ruling like her father?s; but this did not discourage her.(Bush 37) Her prideful attitude perhaps influenced those that looked up to her or were attracted to her. Elizabeth?s most famous qualities was her success in her policies, the glamour in her court and her longed preserved virginity. These qualities could of been the ideal life style for those that idolized her.(Academic American Encyclopedia 141) Her physical features(at that time)were outstanding, plus the fact that she was a proud women emphasized these qualities even more. Elizabeth at twenty years of age, appeared to be in the full bloom of her life. With a good figure, and her tall stature she moved with dignity. She had an olive complexion and reddish brown hair. Her fine eyes and long elegant Hands were just another striking feature.(Zamoyska 19) Her marriage decision not only influenced all the men that wanted to marry her, but it also influenced what the whole country thought about her. ?…the most important issue of her first years of government was the one that consistently evaded, namely her marriage…public opinion disliked the image of the ?Virgin Queen.? If she were to get married her personal choice would of been the earl of Leicester…after him she had many favorites…?(Rachum 162) Although her decision was not to get married, it does not mean that she did not have any lovers.
The Essay on Government Influence On Family Life
Do government programs influence family life? Some of these programs are Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. These programs have changed family life not only in a positive way, but also in a negative way. These programs are targeted at giving older citizen some form of money or medical care, while other programs are geared at taking money from the working class. Yes, government programs do ...
One rumor of a lover, was a man by the name of Robert Dudley; who she appointed as her ?master of horse.? It was no doubt that Elizabeth was attracted to his energy, skill at conversation and athletic prowess. The way he organized court entertainment delighted her. Soon enough Elizabeth?s behavior became a scandal.(Bush 41-42) Although she had other men in her life, she prided the fact that all her life she was a virgin, and died a virgin.(Academic American Encyclopedia 142) Even though her days were shortened little by little, the dying queen was still an influence of hope to her country. To a world she helped shape, Elizabeth made her farewells, to an England whose affection she was sure.(Bush 105) At the old age of seventy it marked the end for of this queen?s life; at the old age which was very rare to die. Especially at the time where disease and primitive medical practices doomed many to an early death. Elizabeth like her father was a firm believer in physical as well as intellectual exercise, which may of contributed to her remarkable life spand. According to an observer: ?Elizabeth?s funeral was never forgotten by those that witnessed it…such a general sighing, groaning, and weeping as that hath not seen or known in the memory of man.?(Bush 107) The Elizabethan age is most often associated with Queen Elizabeth I, who influenced England greatly. Her influence on literature, drama, theater, and as a great political figure who cleverly manipulated and retained power dispite the obstacles, deserves credit for the great achievements during her reign.
The Essay on Queen Elizabeth 1
Marriage is a complicated thing that is effected by many things. People let things stand in the way of marrying the person they love. Circumstances sometimes determine whether marriage is appropriate or even possible. The same is true with Queen Elizabeth. She did was she thought was best for herself and her country. Queen Elizabeth I was tempted by many things but refused to marry for the good of ...
Bibliography:
?Elizabeth I, Queen of England? Academic American Encyclopedia, 1987 Boyce,Charles. Shakespeare A to Z. New York: Charles Boyce & Roundtable Press Inc. 1990 Bush,Catherine. Elizabeth I. New York: Chelsea House Educational communications, Inc.1986 Rachum,Ilan. The Renaissance: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. New York City: May Flower Books Inc. 1979 Zamoyska, Betka. Queen Elizabeth I: United States of America: Cameron & Tayleur Books Ltd. 1981
