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Non%fiction:!Famous!Women!–!Queen!Elizabeth!
Famous Women
Queen Elizabeth’s Speech to the Troops of England
Before the Battle with the Spanish Armada in 1588
The Spanish Armada was a fleet of over 130 Spanish warships sent to invade
England. The battle between the English navy and the Spanish Armada was the
biggest sea battle of the sixteenth century. The following is a work of historical
fiction inspired by Queen Elizabeth’s actual speech before the battle.
Gentlemen, I come before you now on the verge1 of what may become
Britain’s finest hour—or its last. As we speak, the ships of Spain, sent by King
Philip, draw nearer to our harbors.2 In but
a little time you will go out to meet them.
There you will begin a battle with the eyes
of history upon you.
I have ruled over England some thirty
years. In that time I have overcome
hardships that would have challenged any
man. Many had trouble believing that King
Henry’s third child, a woman, could inherit
his throne. Yet I became queen. Few
thought I could quiet the religious struggles
caused by the rule of my Catholic sister.
Yet I have created a safe place in England
for all Protestants3 of Europe. Last year my cousin Mary tried to have me killed
so that she could bring England under Catholic rule. I knew the safety of the
British people was insecure. Though it pained me to take the life of my own
relative, I did what I thought best for my country. Even now, I have refused to
marry. I place my own wish for a husband second to my duty to protect the
strength and independence of England. No one can doubt that under my rule our
1
verge – threshold; the point at which something is about to happen
harbor – protected part of a body of water where ships can dock
3
Protestant – a member of a Christian group that separated from the Catholic Church
2
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© 2012 ReadWorks , Inc. All rights reserved.
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Non%fiction:!Famous!Women!–!Queen!Elizabeth!
country has truly become great. Against all other nations we are strong. Master
Shakespeare has produced plays and poetry to make England proud. All this
has been done when others doubted I could rule at all. I know I have the body of
a weak and feeble4 woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king—and a
king of England at that!
I have given much to make this nation strong and come here to ask that
you not fail me now. King Philip thinks that the British cannot survive his attack.
Let us prove to him that those who might at first appear weak may hold the
greatest power of all. I send you out now, with the force of God behind you. For
your honor, your country, and your queen: do not stop until our enemy has been
driven away!
4
feeble – lacking in strength
2
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© 2012 ReadWorks , Inc. All rights reserved.
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!Questions:!Famous!Women!–!Queen!Elizabeth!
Name: ___________________________
Date: _________________________
1. King Philip was the ruler of
a.
b.
c.
d.
England.
Scotland.
Spain.
France.
2. Which of the following events happened last?
a.
b.
c.
d.
The Spanish Armada sailed against England.
Queen Elizabeth’s cousin Mary was put to death.
Queen Elizabeth became the queen of England.
Queen Elizabeth created a safe place for Protestants.
3. The passage suggests that Queen Elizabeth did not get married because she
a.
b.
c.
d.
had no interest in living with a husband and raising a family.
had a hard time finding anyone trustworthy and intelligent.
cared more about England than marriage.
did not expect to live very long.
4. In the second paragraph Queen Elizabeth points out that England is “a safe
place… for all Protestants of Europe.” Her statement suggests that in other
countries
a.
b.
c.
d.
Protestants were treated just like everyone else.
there were no Protestants.
Protestants were in control of the government.
being a Protestant was dangerous.
5. The main purpose of Queen Elizabeth’s speech is to
a.
b.
c.
d.
frighten King Philip into changing his mind and recalling his fleet.
encourage the English navy to defeat the Spanish Armada.
prepare her subjects for the possibility of military defeat.
describe the great achievements and literature of her country
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© 2012 ReadWorks , Inc. All rights reserved.
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!Questions:!Famous!Women!–!Queen!Elizabeth!
6. In this speech Queen Elizabeth mentions two things that many people did not
expect of her. What are they?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
7. Queen Elizabeth tells the English troops that they “will begin a battle with the
eyes of history upon” them. What does she mean by that?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that best
completes the sentence.
_________ Queen Elizabeth said she was weak in body, she claimed to have the
heart and stomach of a king.
a. Because
b. Although
c. Certainly
d. Therefore
9. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below.
Before they sailed against the Spanish Armada, Queen Elizabeth spoke to
English troops.
Who? Queen Elizabeth
(did) What? ______________________________________________________
When? __________________________________________________________
10. Vocabulary Word: Protestant: a member of a Christian group that separated
from the Catholic Church.
Use the vocabulary word in a sentence: ________________________________
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© 2012 ReadWorks , Inc. All rights reserved.