The Life of Queen Elizabeth I Essay Sample

Why is the Elizabethan Era incredibly well-known? The Elizabethan Era is well-known because of its prosperity and stability. It was Queen Elizabeth I, the Queen of England during the Elizabethan Era, who made this possible. Queen Elizabeth I led an interesting and successful life and left behind a powerful legacy. 

Elizabeth’s early life contributed to the kind of person and ruler she later came to be. Elizabeth I was born on September 7, 1533, in Greenwich, England. Her parents were Henry VIII and his second wife Anne Boleyn. Elizabeth had a half-sister named Mary, who was born to Henry and his first wife Catherine of Aragon, and a younger half-brother named Edward whose mother was the king’s third wife Jane Seymour (Biography.com Editors). When Elizabeth was only two years old, her father ordered that her mother be beheaded after he charged her with adultery and treason. Anne and Henry VIII’s marriage was declared invalid by Parliament which had been encouraged by Henry VIII making Elizabeth illegitimate. The Roman Catholics were pleased by this because they had claimed that since the beginning of her life. Because it was not recorded, no one is sure of the impact these events had on Elizabeth emotionally. There is a chance that it contributed to her frequently noted seriousness which was far beyond her age (Morrill). Despite these events, she was raised in the same manner as any other royal child would have been (Biography.com Editors). She was raised in a different house in Hatfield where she received tutoring and became an expert in music and languages (Morill, Biography.com Editors). Her father passed away in 1547. Following her father’s death, Elizabeth was cared for by her stepmother Catherine Parr until she returned to Hatfield due to apprehensiveness with Catherine over Catherine’s new husband Thomas Seymour. Thomas Seymour was later executed for plotting to gain power by wedding Elizabeth (Biography.com Editors). Elizabeth experienced more hardship during her childhood than most people do in a lifetime. 

Elizabeth had a lengthy and difficult rise to power. Eventually, both Elizabeth and Mary’s previous illegitimacy was renounced, and they returned to their former positions as potential heirs. In 1547, after Henry VIII’s death, Edward took the throne as King Edward VI. In 1553 Edward died, only six years after becoming king. Edward had arranged for their cousin Lady Jane Grey to succeed him. Lady Jane Grey’s reign lasted a measly nine days. Mary Tudor, having gained the support of the English people, dethroned Lady Jane Grey (Biography.com Editors).  Mary Tudor had controversial plans for the country, including returning England to the Roman Catholic faith. Protestants opposed Mary because of this and rebelled against her in an effort to bring Elizabeth to power. In January of 1554, Mary had Elizabeth arrested and sent to the Tower of London. Elizabeth was released shortly after her arrest (Morrill). Finally, Elizabeth rose to power following the death of Mary Tudor in 1558 (Biography.com Editors). And so began one of the most famous reigns in history.

Elizabeth I had an exceptionally successful reign. Elizabeth’s rule began in 1558 and ended in 1603, lasting forty-four years. Elizabeth accomplished a great deal during her reign. “During her reign, Elizabeth I established Protestantism in England; defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588; maintained peace inside her previously divided country; and created an environment where the arts flourished” (Biography.com Editors). Queen Elizabeth I transformed England into an international power. Amazingly, Elizabeth, along with being a successful ruler, was extremely popular among the people throughout her reign. Elizabeth interacted with her people in a careful and attentive manner. She frequently made public appearances in London. These appearances consisted of riding in processions and attending plays (Rogers). Actions such as these caused Queen Elizabeth I to be recognized as a legendary ruler deserving of her title. 

(Van der Meulen)

Queen Elizabeth I was undoubtedly a unique ruler. Elizabeth was the only English queen who never married (Parmar). Elizabeth became known as the “Virgin Queen” because of her refusal to marry (Biography.com Editors). She said, “I would rather be a beggar and single than a queen and married” (Parmar). It was uncommon, to say the least, for a queen to remain single. In fact, it was uncommon for any woman to remain single during this time period (Parmar). This is easily recognized in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. An example of this is after Romeo reveals that his love Rosaline plans to never marry, Benvolio asks, “Then she hath sworn that she will still live chaste?”(1.1.208). Benvolio is shocked by this revelation because this is such a rare occurrence. It was even more unusual for a queen to refuse marriage than for commoners. Most commoners would have been married and even mothers long before the age at which Elizabeth took the throne. An example of this is in Romeo and Juliet when Lady Capulet discusses the idea of marriage with young Juliet. Lady Capulet says to thirteen-year-old Juliet, “Well, think of marriage now. Younger than you / Here in Verona, ladies of esteem / Are made already mothers. By my count, / I was your mother much upon these years / That you are now a maid” (1.3.71-75).  It was necessary for a queen to marry and produce an heir in order to protect the country against rivals plotting to overthrow the throne. Despite this, Elizabeth used her availability to her advantage. She was desired by many and had an extensive list of suitors (Parmar). Elizabeth frequently used these men’s interest in her to gain power. “Elizabeth used marriage negotiations as tools of foreign policy” (Rogers). Because Elizabeth refused to marry, the Tudor legacy came to an end with Elizabeth’s death on March 24, 1603, at Richmond Palace in Surrey. Many suspect that the cosmetic concoction Elizabeth used to achieve her pale look may have contributed to her death (Biography.com Editors). Both Queen Elizabeth I and her rule were extraordinary. 

One could compare Queen Elizabeth I to a modern day celebrity, in a sense. Similarly, modern day celebrities use the idea of marriage to their advantage. Queen Elizabeth I used the idea of marriage in order to gain power, while modern day celebrities use it to gain press and attention. Celebrities can gain publicity depending on who they date, meaning it benefits them more to date rather than marry. When a celebrity begins to date someone, it is mentioned in the press, and the relationship is surrounded by gossip and speculation. Celebrities can use this attention to elevate their status. The actions of Queen Elizabeth I, which were unconventional at the time, are used today to serve the same purpose as they did back then. 

Queen Elizabeth I is one of the most unique and influential rulers in history. Queen Elizabeth I’s life contains valuable lessons to be learned. One can learn from Elizabeth’s life that perseverance is key. Elizabeth faced many challenges on her journey toward becoming a ruler but overcame them. Queen Elizabeth I’s example is certainly one to follow.