Elizabeth I (BY NAZEK JAMAL)

Early years:

“Good queen bees" That was what her people called her. But good was a tame word for one of the most remarkable women ever lived. Elizabeth I came to the throne of England 1558 at the age of twenty five. It was not easy for a young woman to take over the responsibilities of a kingdom, but under Elizabeth's leadership, England had become united as a nation, its industry and retail, its art and science had flourished and it was ranked among the great powers in Europe. Elizabeth was the daughter of king Henry VIII. Her father placed her in the care of one lady after another. And the lively little girl with the reddish-gold hair, pale skin and golden brown eyes won everybody's affection. Almost from her youth Elizabeth was trained to stand in for ruling men. So she had to master whatever they were expected to know and do. Her tutors found the child to be an eager student, she learned history, geography, mathematics, and architecture. She also mastered four modern languages, French, Italian, spinach, and Latin. The earliest portrait painted of her- when she was thirteen shows a girl with innocent eyes holding a book. she was a strong willed girl who liked to give orders. She also loved to be out on horse back, she rode so fast it scared the men that were assigned to protect her.

Personal life:

Elizabeth had a half older sister Mary, many years later came Elizabeth and four years later came Edward. After king Henry died 10-yearold Edward was crowned king, but since he died six years later the throne was passed to Mary. As a princess and later as queen, Elizabeth lived in various places, each time she moved she took her staff of 120 people with here. Many disputed Elizabeth's rights to the throne, and since she had no husband her life was in danger she always said “I will never marry” yet she liked to here of those who wanted to marry her “I am already bound to a husband, which is kingdom of England” she declared. There was much talk of when Elizabeth would marry and whom, even before she came to age. Marriages among the nobility and royalty were not arranged for love, but to add land holdings, to strength the prestige or power of families.

Was it fun being the queen?

As monarch Elizabeth commanded great wealth, inherited from her father, and people who wanted favors were always enriching here with lavish presents. She was no spendthrift, however. She hated to see money wasted, weather her own or the kingdoms. Always she urged her counselors to carry out orders as inexpensively as possible. Elizabeth wanted to win the affection of her people. And why not make a grand personal impression upon them at the same time? Her dresses were decorated with large rubies, emeralds, and diamonds, and she wore jeweled necklaces, bracelets, and rings. In her hair, at her ears, and around her neck she wore pearls- the symbol of virginity. In the first of her coronation she wore gold robes as she was crowned. Elizabeth was often entertained at house parties. One of them by earl of Leicester in Kenilworth castle, lasted for eighteen days.

BY NAZEK JAMAL – 10A