The Myt
hs Surrounding
Queen Elizabet
hI
By
Claire Ridgway
We think we know everything about Queen Elizabeth I of England, after all her reign seems to be well
documented and we have stacks of portraits of her, but do we really know who she was and what she did or
are the facts blurred by myths and misconceptions?
Let's look at some of the beliefs or myths that surround this iconic Virgin Queen and see whether they are
based on fact or fiction.
Elizabeth I was illegitimate
True - As we all know, Elizabeth I was the daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife Anne Boleyn. Anne
Boleyn was executed on 19th May 1536 for treason and adultery. When Henry's marriage to Anne was
annulled shortly before her execution, Elizabeth was made illegitimate and a royal bastard.
Although Henry VIII gave both of his daughters rights to the succession, after his son Edward, he never
legitimised them. Mary I made herself legitimate when she became Queen but Elizabeth never did. Some
think that Elizabeth felt that it was better to let sleeping dogs lie rather than draw attention to her status.
Elizabeth never mentioned Anne Boleyn
False – Although some historians say that Elizabeth never mentioned Anne, others like Alison Weir write of
how Elizabeth did in fact mention her a couple of times, one being to the Spanish ambassador Simon Renard
in 1553 to explain Mary I's hostility towards her, and another being an open defence of Anne in front of
quite an audience later in Mary's reign. Elizabeth defended Anne's virtue, saying that she was blameless and
had acted in good faith.
Tracy Borman in "Elizabeth's Women" believes that Elizabeth would have reminisced with her lady and
good friend Blanche Parry about her childhood and her mother.
However, Elizabeth did not need to talk about Anne Boleyn to convey her love, admiration and respect, her
actions speak far louder than words:•
The fact that Elizabeth I also surrounded herself with Boleyn relatives – Howards, Careys, Knollys
etc. - shows that Elizabeth was not ashamed of her mother and may have felt comforted by having members
of her mother's family close to her. It may also have given her the opportunity to ask questions about her
mother in the private times that she had with her ladies.
•
Elizabeth's coronation was based on Anne Boleyn's lavish coronation – You can read more in my
article "The Tale of Two Coronations" - http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/a-tale-of-two-coronations/2802/ - but there
were many reminders of Anne at Elizabeth's coronation: a vignette of Anne Boleyn as Queen was one of
the images lining the processional route, Elizabeth used Anne's imagery of a Queen as the Virgin Mary,
Elizabeth's coronation outfit was modelled on her mother's and it is thought that after she was crowned
Elizabeth swapped the heavy state crown for her mother's lightweight coronation crown.
•
According to Alison Weir, Elizabeth is pictured in the 1544/5 Henry VIII family portrait wearing one
of Anne Boleyn's initialled necklaces.
•
Elizabeth's locket ring is also evidence of Elizabeth's feelings towards her mother – Weir writes of
how this ring was commissioned by Elizabeth in 1575 and that it opened to reveal a miniature of herself and
another of her mother.
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•Elizabeth I's motto "Semper eadem" or "Always the same" was a motto that Anne Boleyn had
used.
Copyright © 2009 ElizabethFiles - Claire Ridgway
•
Her furious response in 1561 to a French tract which portrayed Anne as Jezebel – Elizabeth
demanded the repression of this tract.
•
George Wyatt's defence of Anne Boleyn – Alison Weir thinks that it is possible that Elizabeth may
actually have secretly commissioned George Wyatt to write this defence of her mother
Henry VIII ignored Elizabeth
True and false - After Anne Boleyn's execution, Elizabeth was sent away from court perhaps because she
was a reminder of her mother. Her father's ignorance of her at this time meant that she was even left without
clothes that fit her and Lady Bryan had to write to the King to ask for new clothes.
However, Elizabeth did come back to court and Henry VIII was impressed by her precociousness and
delighted with her intelligence, and went on to build a good relationship with his daughter. Henry even
attempted to secure and protect her future with his reinstatement of her and Mary into the line of succession.
Elizabeth hated her father for executing her mother
False – Although Elizabeth had every right to hate her father, his great affection for her was reciprocated.
Elizabeth idolised Henry and would often talk of him admiringly and lovingly, and pose in front of his
portrait to receive visitors.
Elizabeth's had a sexual relationship with Thomas Seymour and even carried
his child
False – Thomas Seymour, husband of Catherine Parr (Elizabeth's stepmother and guardian), did behave
very inappropriately with the teenage Elizabeth but there is no evidence of a reciprocal sexual relationship.
Seymour made a habit of going into Elizabeth's bedchamber while she was still in bed and his behaviour
became more and more outrageous: touching or slapping her back and buttocks, trying to kiss her and
coming in dressed only in his nightgown. There are also stories of Catherine Parr taking part in this morning
ritual and holding Elizabeth while Seymour slashed her dress to pieces, but this all stopped when Catherine
found Elizabeth and Seymour alone, "he having her in his arms". Elizabeth was sent away.
There is no evidence that Elizabeth encouraged this behaviour and that it went as far as full blown sexual
intercourse followed by pregnancy. It appears that Catherine Parr acted in time.
It was Seymour's execution that made Elizabeth vow never to marry
False – Elizabeth actually made this vow to Robert Dudley at the age of 8 when heard that her stepmother
Catherine Howard had been executed. Catherine's execution must have made Elizabeth think about her own
mother's demise and Henry VIII's behaviour towards his wives didn't exactly show marriage off in its best
light!
Seymour's execution may have solidified this vow that Elizabeth had made earlier but there is no record of
her making such a vow after his death.
Elizabeth and Robert Dudley fell in love while imprisoned in the Tower of
London
False - While their shared experience of being imprisoned in the Tower at the same time may have made
them closer and added to their already deep friendship and affection, it is unlikely that they were actually
able to meet with each other in the Tower even though they were situated quite close to each
other.
Copyright © 2009 ElizabethFiles - Claire Ridgway
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Elizabeth and Dudley were lovers
True or false – This is such a tough question! Personally I believe that although they had an incredibly deep
and loving relationship, they were not lovers. I believe that Elizabeth was indeed the Virgin Queen she said
she was and my reasons for believing this are as follows:•
There's no evidence – Surely spies from foreign ambassadors would have found some evidence or
Elizabeth's ladies, one of whom even slept in the Queen's bedroom, would have gossiped.
•
The risk of pregnancy – If Elizabeth had been sexually active then there would have been the risk of
pregnancy, unless Elizabeth knew herself to be barren, and I do not believe that Elizabeth would have risked
her reputation in this way.
•
Elizabeth put her country first – Sexual involvement would affect her chances of a good diplomatic
marriage and adversely affect her reputation, so Elizabeth would not risk her throne for sex. She was a
monarch first and foremost, and a woman second.
Whatever the reasons – psychologically linking sexual involvement with death, being frightened of
childbirth, abuse by Seymour, physical problems etc. - I believe that Elizabeth was a virgin. As Alison
Weir says: "Elizabeth was too much mistress of herself and too great a stateswoman to succumb to the
temptations of illicit sex".
Elizabeth had countless lovers and illegitimate children
False – This is nothing more than rumour and scandal. Although Elizabeth had many suitors, there is no
evidence to suggest that she ever had sexual relations with them or that she used her Royal Progresses to get
away from court and give birth!
Elizabeth had many nicknames
True – Elizabeth I was known as "The Virgin Queen", “Gloriana” or “Good Queen Bess” and in the poetry
of Raleigh, Jonson, Shakespeare, Spenser, and others, she was also referred to as Belphoebe, Diana, Cynthia,
Pandora, Oriana and Virgo.
These "nicknames" or titles were all part of Elizabeth's propaganda and the image she wanted to portray to
her people.
Elizabeth gave nicknames to people
True – You knew the Queen liked you and respected you if she gave you a nickname! William Cecil was her
“spirit”, Leicester was her “eyes”, Walsingham was her “moor” and Hatton was her “lids” or her “mutton”.
Elizabeth I had phobias
True – Elizabeth I was said to be afraid of mice and would scream and jump on a chair if she saw one.
Elizabeth also hated strong smells and some say that she was claustrophobic because she hated crowds and
loved windows to be open.
Elizabeth would swear, spit and lash out when she was angry
True – There are stories of her boxing the Earl of Essex's ears, hitting William Cecil, stabbing one of her
ladies hands when she was clumsy serving her food and breaking one of her ladies' fingers. However, her
rages were usually over quickly and she was loved and adored by her council, court and ladies.
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Copyright © 2009 ElizabethFiles - Claire Ridgway
Elizabeth had the "common touch"
True - Elizabeth I was a popular Queen who was adored by her subjects. When she came to the throne, she
was a reminder of her father "Bluff King Hal" who had been loved and she was young and vibrant. She
knew how important it was to keep her subjects' love and respect, and she took her Royal progresses very
seriously and would chat to her people and even pop into their houses for refreshments!
Elizabeth was an extravagant spendthrift
False – Although Elizabeth was always "dressed up to the nines" and was said to have over 3,000 gowns,
along with lots of jewels and shoes, she generally managed to live within a strict budget of £300,000 per
year.
Elizabeth hated making decisions
True and false – Elizabeth was famous for procrastinating but this was often a ploy that she used, rather
than indecisions. Her procrastination infuriated people like William Cecil but her eventual decision always
seemed to be the right one.
Elizabeth was more religiously tolerant than Mary I
True – Elizabeth's famous quote "I have no desire to make windows into men's souls" sums up how she felt
about religion. Although, Elizabeth's reign was a protestant one, she had no desire to punish Catholics for
their beliefs and believed in religious freedom.
Elizabeth was vain and "policed" how she was represented in portraits
True, but a bit of a sweeping statement – Although Elizabeth was very image conscious in making sure
that she stood out from her ladies and loved being seen as the most beautiful woman in court, and even in
Europe, her image was more to do with propaganda than vanity. As Elizabeth aged, she knew how important
it was for her people to see her still as a strong and vibrant person, not an old woman, and her thick makeup, wigs and "over-the-top" costumes were her way of showing her court that she was still young and in
control.
If we look at the portraits of Henry VIII, Elizabeth's father, we can see how important image was to him
too. Just look at the famous full-length Holbein one of Henry – Henry looks majestic and strong, totally in
control and a formidable man.
Elizabeth was scared of having teeth extracted
True – Elizabeth was so scared of having dental treatment that she suffered with toothache and facial pain,
rather than have a tooth extracted. One of her bishops even had a tooth extracted in front of her to show her
how easy it was but she still refused.
Elizabeth loved Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester
True (in my opinion) – Elizabeth chose him as her Master of the Horse, he was her constant companion and
she kept the letter that he wrote to her before his death in her bedside treasure box. Those three facts, and
many others, point to real love. I believe that although they were not lovers, Robert Dudley was Elizabeth's
true love.
Copyright © 2009 ElizabethFiles - Claire Ridgway
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Elizabeth I was bald and so had to wear a wig
False – Elizabeth's wigs were part of her image and she made use of them throughout her reign. Late in
her reign, the Earl of Essex infuriated the Queen by bursting in on her getting ready in her bedchamber and
saw an ageing queen with grey hair, not a bald queen. As Elizabeth's real hair greyed she did not change the
colour of her wigs, in fact the older she became the brighter red they seemed to become.
Elizabeth suffered with a leg ulcer like her father
True – As Elizabeth aged she did in fact suffer with a leg ulcer like the one that had caused Henry VIII so
many problems.
Elizabeth I was very superstitious
Like all people of her time, Elizabeth was very interested in astrology. She often consulted her great friend
John Dee, who was her astrologer and advisor. As Sarah Rochel writes in her wonderful squidoo lens on
John Dee (http://www.squidoo.com/john-dee), "Dee also found fame and notoriety as a magician and alchemist,
a man who summoned and spoke with angels and who possibly also worked as a secret agent for the
Elizabethan secret service."
In those days, there did not seem to be a distinction between religion and astrology and "superstition", it was
normal for "nativities" or birth charts to be consulted and auspicious days to be chosen for coronations or
wars etc. Elizabeth was "normal" in this way.
Elizabeth I was highly intelligent
Very true – Elizabeth took after both her parents in intelligence and was fluent in at least six languages,
as well as having a working knowledge of many more. She was also a talented musician, an excellent
horsewoman and was highly knowledgeable in the subjects of science, mathematics, astronomy and
geography. She also spent hours each day reading history books and was able to debate and discuss things
with notable scholars.
Elizabeth I was also an accomplished writer, writing wonderful letters and poems, and her speeches are
world famous.
Elizabeth I was the muse of famous poets
True – Elizabeth was Edmund Spenser's "Faerie Queene" and was referred to in the poetry of Raleigh,
Jonson and Shakespeare.
Elizabeth I did not want to execute Mary Queen of Scots
True – You can read more about this in my article "The Bosom Serpent and Gloriana" - http://www.
elizabethfiles.com/the-bosom-serpent-and-gloriana/3059/ - but it is evident from the amount of chances that Elizabeth
gave Mary, the way that she wavered over signing Mary's death warrant, the fact that she raged at her
council for issuing the warrant and going ahead with the execution and her obvious grief afterwards, that
Elizabeth did not want to execute Mary. Elizabeth only signed the warrant after there was clear evidence
that Mary had conspired to remove her from the throne and only after she had been "bullied" into it by her
council. Elizabeth found it a tremendously difficult decision to make because, like her, Mary was a female
monarch, was a Tudor and also was divinely appointed by God. Elizabeth felt like she was going against
everything she believed in when she signed the warrant. Mary's grisly end also made Elizabeth feel very
guilty.
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Copyright © 2009 ElizabethFiles - Claire Ridgway
Elizabeth I's ghost was seen before she even died
False - According legend, Elizabeth I's ghost was seen in Richmond Palace while the Queen was dying,
however, it seems that this story originated in a lady's attempt to discredit the Queen and portray her as a
witch.
Elizabeth's ghost was seen in the Royal library at Windsor Castle, wearing a black lace shawl and gown, and
also at Hatfield House where she grew up.
Conclusion
These are just some of the myths, facts and beliefs that surround Elizabeth I and, with all historical figures,
even historians cannot agree on them all!
Find out more about Elizabeth at www.elizabethfiles.com and Anne Boleyn at www.theanneboleynfiles.com
Copyright © 2009 ElizabethFiles - Claire Ridgway
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F
urther
Reading
I would recommend the following books on Elizabeth I:-
"Elizabeth's Women: The Hidden Story of the Virgin Queen" by Tracy Borman - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/pro
duct/0224082264?ie=UTF8&tag=yourandacom-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0224082264
"Elizabeth, the Queen" by Alison Weir - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0099524252?ie=UTF8&tag=yourandacom21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0099524252
"Elizabeth I" by Anne Somerset - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385721579?ie=UTF8&tag=theancom-20&linkCod
e=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0385721579
"Elizabeth: The Struggle for the Throne" by David Starkey - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/
B002HJ3EGY?ie=UTF8&tag=theancom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002HJ3EGY
"Elizabeth I" by Alison Plowden - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0750932422?ie=UTF8&tag=theancom-20&linkCod
e=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0750932422
"Elizabeth I: Fortune's Bastard" by Richard Rex - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0752441760?ie=UTF8&tag=thea
ncom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0752441760
"Elizabeth I: A Life" by David Loades - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1852855207?ie=UTF8&tag=theancom-20&li
nkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1852855207
Visit
http://www.ElizabethFiles.com
Today!
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Copyright © 2009 ElizabethFiles - Claire Ridgway