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iT’S STORYTIME!
Monarchs appear BY chronological order by reign
Elizabeth I of England
The final Tudor Monarch
Good morrow, young subject. I am Elizabeth, and by God’s grace the Queen of England. Would you desire to learn more about me? I find music and poetry are quite wonderful, and I also have great pleasure in wearing the most majestic grand gowns and shining jewels.
I am known to be sharp of mind, quick of wit, and determined to have my own way. Many wise men once told me to take a husband. Yet I would not, for I declared, “I am married to England alone!” Thus, have I been called the Virgin Queen.
After thirty years Spain sent forth its ships, the mighty Armada, to take over my kingdom. I rode out to my soldiers dressed in white, on a white horse, to give courage. I screamed out, “I have a lion’s heart, and I will never give up England’s fight!” And we were victorious!
My reign became a Golden Age. England prospered and did well. Our ships sailed to explore new lands, and writers and artists created great works. William Shakespeare’s plays brought joy to my court. I thought A Midsummer Night’s Dream was especially delightful!
Although Elizabeth never married, many people think she was in love with Robert Dudley, the 1st Earl of Leicester.
Mary, Queen of Scots, was Elizabeth’s cousin. When Mary wrote a letter that seemed to support a plot against Elizabeth, she was put on trial and executed.
When Elizabeth was around 54 years old she owned 628 pieces of jewellery. And when she died, she had over 2,000 gowns in her wardrobe!
Kenilworth Castle Great Hall, England
Kenilworth Castle belonged to Robert Dudley. In 1575 Elizabeth I stayed here for an amazing visit which lasted for 19 days.
DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons