Queen Elizabeth I

as portrayed by Lynn Peverill

Photos courtesy of William B. Branson, Durham, NC

e are Elizabeth Tudor, first queen of England in our own right.

was born September 7, in the Year of our Lord, 1533 at Greenwich. Sadly, I was a disappointment to my father who wanted—no needed—a son and heir.

t three I lost my mother, executed on trumped up charges of treason. I was then exiled to the countryside in the care of Lady Bryan. Although I was not cared for financially by my father, he did provide me with excellent tutors that nurtured my inherent love of learning. His last wife, Catherine Parr, did rejoin the family for a short time at Court during my father's last years. There Mary, Edward and I did spend precious time with each other. Upon my father's death, I was shipped off with Catherine to her home with the very foolish Kat Ashley as my governess.

oor Edward's short reign was full of turmoil--with plots behind his back for the control of the throne. I was not even permitted to be at his deathbed. Dear Sir Henry Sidney held him in his arms as he died.

ary's reign was full of hate—the treasury was empty, there were two bad harvests, the military situation was disorganized, and Mary, with her husband, Philip of Spain, was determined to restore England to the arms of the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope. Peers of the realm are taught that at some time they may be asked to lay down their lives for governmental policies. But Mary burned the common people-- chandlers, coopers, and bakers—at the stake for their religious beliefs.

s for myself, I was banished to Hatfield, where I in charge of the household on a very small budget. I waited for the summons to come that would spell my doom. At last I was taken to the Tower of London where I spent anxious hours awaiting my fate. Robert Dudley was there as well, imprisoned with his father who was accused of treason. I finally was released and was returned to my place of exile. (Mary was concerned for her throne, for there were plots against her in my name—although unbeknownst to me.) England was relieved at her death—a tumor—after only five years on the throne.

od doth work in mysterious ways. He hath tested my country and me and hath set me to do His bidding. To that end I, Elizabeth, resolve "to live for the people, trust in Providence, decide for the best, and provisions will be made."

n January 15, 1559, We were crowned by the Bishop of Carlisle and we set forth to restore England to glory. We examine ourself to find strengths and possible weaknesses. Our innate caution, prudence and frugality we seemed to have inherited from our illustrious grandfather, Henry VII. The gift from our father seems to be an inherent charm and magnetism, as well as deftness with matters politic. We are afraid we have inherited our mother's temper as well as her attitude that "the end justifies the means." Howe'er, we make good use of those gifts, as well.

ur education is complete from languages to history, mathematics, literature, music, management, and sewing. The greatest weakness is the fact that we are, well, a woman. And the trick is to turn that weakness into a strength.

e have many pressing matters of state, and therefore we have assembled a most excellent Privy Council, headed by William Cecil, to whom we have given the title of Baron Burghley. There is the Scottish Difficulty, and although we have signed the Treaty of Edinburgh, there is still the matter of my cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots. Understand, that she has fled to us for protection, yet she still plots against us.

hen there is a matter that the Privy Council seems most adamant about—and that is our marriage and the providing of an heir to the throne. We have repeatedly told them that when God doth put it in our head to marry, then we shall. And the suitors with which we have had to contend!! Phillip of Spain himself-- mine own brother-in-law, the Archduke Charles--son of Emperor Ferdinand, Eric--Prince of Sweden, the Duc d'Alencon, of France and several Englishmen as well. Mayhap it is in these negotiations that we might turn our weakness into a strength.

pain is attacking the Low Countries and arresting English ships in Spanish harbor, and the situation in Ireland never seems to change—the more monies we throw at the country, the more seems to sink into the bogs. The Pope has had us excommunicated and placed a price upon our head! All of these matters, as well as a depleted treasury, maketh for heated discussions. But know you all, that all decisions will be made toward one goal—the good of the nation.

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