Queen Elizabeth

The reign of Queen Elizabeth I is often referred to as The Golden Age of English history. Elizabeth was an immensely popular Queen, and her popularity has waned little with the passing of four hundred years. She is still one of the best loved monarchs, and one of the most admired rulers of all time. She became a legend in her own lifetime, famed for her remarkable abilities and achievements. Yet, about Elizabeth the woman, we know very little. She is an enigma, and was an enigma to her own people.

Daughter of King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth was born on 7 September 1533 at Greenwich Palace;her birth being probably the greatest disappointment of her father's life who had wanted a son and heir to succeed him (he already had a daughter, Mary, by his first wife Katherine of Aragon)

Anne Boleyn King Henry Queen Mary

VIII

Elizabeth's early life was consequently troubled as her mother failed to provide the King with a son and was executed on false charges of incest and adultery on 19 May 1536 .

Anne's marriage to the King was declared null and void, and Elizabeth, like her half-sister, Mary, was declared illegitimate and deprived of her place in the line of succession.

The next eight years of Elizabeth's life saw a quick succession of stepmothers:

Jane Seymour who died giving birth to the King's longed for son, Edward;

Anne of Cleves who was divorced;

Catherine Howard who was beheaded;

and finally Catherine Parr.

For generations, historians have debated whether the constant bride changing of her father was responsible for Elizabeth's apparent refusal to marry. It is certainly possible that the tragic fates of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard impressed upon her a certain fear of marriage.

Among other reasons which may have contributed to this we could include a fear of childbirth, which claimed the lives of a significant number of women in this period, political problems with almost every contender for her hand and also religion was a major divisive issue.

Elizabeth's adolescence was no easier than her childhood, becoming vulnerable to those who considered her as a political pawn after her father’s death in January 1547,when her brother became King Edward VI.

Even though made illegitimate,King Henry VIII reinstated her and Mary in line for the throne,this meant she was second in line to the throne.