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Elizabeth’s childhood was a somewhat difficult and complex one
after losing her mother at the tender age of two. Elizabeth and her
half-sister, Mary, were declared illegitimate as Henry VIII sought
to create space for his male heir, Edward, after his third wife,
Jane Seymour gave birth to him in 1537.
When King Henry VIII died in 1547, he was succeeded by his
nine-year-old son, King Edward VI. During this time, Elizabeth was
raised as ‘normally’ as she could be, receiving tutoring like any
other Royal child. Elizabeth spent time under the care of her
step-mother Catherine Parr, who took charge and oversaw much of her
tutoring, hiring scholars such as William Grindal and Roger
Ascham.
Edward VI died prematurely in 1553, leaving his Crown to his young
cousin, Lady Jane Grey. After a brief reign of nine days,
Elizabeth’s half-sister, Mary, rightfully took back her throne and
became the next legitimate heir, as was stated in Henry VIII’s last
will in testament. Life for Elizabeth during Mary’s reign was
somewhat difficult. Mary was a devout Roman Catholic while
Elizabeth was Protestant, although Elizabeth attempted to hide
cleverly her religion and go along with the country’s change to
Catholicism to save herself from persecution.
Elizabeth ascended the throne in 1558 after Queen Mary died
childlessly. Her accession was not free from problems, however, as
she inherited a realm that was still at war with France. There were
also tensions between different religions throughout the country
after Mary had attempted to restore Roman Catholicism to
England.
Queen Elizabeth, I went on to rule for 44 years and her reign saw
her preserve England’s borders through wars and religious and
political turmoil. Some may claim that the defeat of the Spanish
Armada was Elizabeth’s greatest success though one could argue that
the entirety of the Elizabethan Era was a success. Elizabeth’s time
on the throne saw playwrights such as William Shakespeare and
Christopher Marlowe prosper; architecture flourished, and an
English church was established. Even in the 20th century Elizabeth
was a national symbol of resistance to foreign threats, giving
support to her name of ‘Good Queen Bess’.
Although ‘Gloriana’ died over 400 years ago her legacy lives on.
One has to agree with our 16th century forbears that the
Elizabethan Era really was a ‘Golden Age’; and we should know, as
we are experiencing one now ourselves and isn’t it great?!
Photo credit: lisby1 via photopin
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