Today is the anniversary of the death of the iconic Queen Elizabeth I, daughter of King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn, and a woman who is known as the Virgin Queen, Gloriana and Good Queen Bess, and whose reign has been called a Golden Age.
In today's video, I talk about Elizabeth's last days and share contemporary accounts of her death on 24th March 1603. I also share some of Queen Elizabeth I's achievements.
There are lots of resources on Elizabeth I on the Tudor Society and you can find others by using the search box.
- Elizabeth I: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - Claire Chats video.
- Elizabeth I e-book - Part of our special Tudor Society e-book series.
- Elizabeth I brief bio
- Tudor Life magazine: Special Elizabeth I Edition
- Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots – True or False quiz
- Claire's Bookcase: Elizabeth I - Claire shares her collection of Elizabeth I books
- Elizabeth I’s accession – 17 November 1558
- May 2018 – Tudor Life -Elizabeth I’s Last Years
- Elizabeth I's Coronation: A Primary Source Account
- Kenilworth Castle and Elizabeth I’s 1575 visit
- Was Elizabeth I really an awful person?
- What did Elizabeth I really look like?
- Elizabeth I and Ivan IV - A Claire Chats talk
- Elizabeth I Quiz
- Elizabeth I's Tide Letter
- Queen Elizabeth I: A Timewatch Guide video
- Elizabeth I and the fall of Mary, Queen of Scots - A Claire Chats video
- Elizabeth I’s Coronation Procession and The Quenes Maiesties Passage - A Claire Chats video
- Elizabeth I and the Bisley Boy Legend - A Claire Chats video
- Bloody Queens: Elizabeth and Mary TV programme
- The Young Elizabeth I Quiz
- Elizabeth I Words Quiz
- Elizabeth I's Tilbury Speech on Film
- The Tomb of Elizabeth I and Mary I
- Elizabeth I’s Golden Speech – 30 November 1601
And if you only have 60 seconds to spare!
Also on this day in history:
- 1582 – Death of Sir James Dyer, judge, law reporter and Speaker of the House of Commons during the reign of Edward VI. His other offices included King's Sergeant-at-Law, Judge of the Common Pleas and Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. He was buried at Great Staughton Church in Huntingdonshire, next to his wife.
- 1619 – Death of Robert Rich, 1st Earl of Warwick, nobleman and politician, at Warwick House in Holborn. He was buried at Felsted Church. Rich was married to Penelope Devereux, daughter of Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex, and Lettice Knollys, and sister of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex. It was not a happy marriage, and the couple separated in 1590 after the birth of their second son, and divorced in 1605. Penelope began a relationship with Charles Blount, the future Lord Mountjoy, in 1590 and went on to have children by him.
I’m not sure how i feel about Elizabeth I. She, along with Henry VII, are the ones I know the least about, though I’m getting there. I understand she was pretty tolerant of the religions until she was ex-communicated, which I understand is a threat to her and her reign. I just don’t like all these religious executions and oath of supremacy. I think she had very good parts of her reign. I do have to learn more about the poor laws to see if they actually helped them. (Its one thing to have laws but another thing entirely if they work). Anyway, as always, interesting and informative. Thanks! Michelle t
I think like every monarch, there were good parts of her reign and there were other not so good parts. I think the pope has to take some responsibility for the persecution of the Catholics in her reign as he put them in an impossible position.
RIP Queen E I but yes, I am also conflicted about Elizabeth I for many reasons, but her soul is with a different power and I hope she was judged with mercy.
Also RIP Richard iii during the 4th Anniversary Reinternment Celebration this weekend. Amen