QueenElizabeth3

Olivia Taylor 4-7-10 8-3 **Who was Queen Elizabeth I? What is her legacy? What was life like in Queen Elizabeth’s court? What connection did Shakespeare have to Queen Elizabeth?** The Elizabethan Era was the “Golden Age” of English history, the “English Renaissance”; however, to understand the Elizabethan age, you must first learn about the Queen herself. Elizabeth was born into the Tudor family on September 7, 1533. Her parents were Anne Boleyn, and King Henry VIII. Elizabeth had a half-sister, Mary, from King Henry’s first wife. Anne Boleyn was executed only three years after Elizabeth’s birth. Henry will later on have four more wives; his third wife, Jane Seymour, provided him a son, Edward, to take the thrown. Elizabeth had a very lonely childhood. She grew up without her mother, and her father took no interest in her. However, she was very well educated. When King Henry VIII died in 1547, her half-brother, nine year old Edward became king. Next in the line of succession was Mary, then Elizabeth. When Edward died in 1553, Mary became Queen of England. Mary was a Catholic, and she returned England to Catholicism. She persecuted Protestants and then earned the nickname “Bloody Mary.” Mary believed that Elizabeth was involved in a plot against her, so Mary had her sister imprisoned in the Tower of London. Mary died of cancer in 1558, and Elizabeth became the monarch. The Elizabethan Age had begun. As Queen, Elizabeth returned England back to Protestantism; however, she let the people have religious freedom. This is maybe a reason why she was so respected. Elizabeth also earned the nickname “Virgin Queen” because she was never married. Russell Roberts, author of //Elizabethan England//, offers many reasons why Elizabeth decided not to get married: “One of the most common is that since her father had so many wives, she was against marriage. Elizabeth seemed to dislike the custom altogether” (15). During the Elizabethan Age, theater and play writing became immensely popular. Elizabeth loved to see the theatre and would have seen William Shakespeare perform! The court wasn’t just for entertainment though. It was also the place where most of the important government decisions were made. Russell Roberts, author of //Elizabethan England,// explains how, “The decision might be something minor as settling a dispute between two noblemen, or it could be something as far-reaching as deciding whether to go to war” (17). Russell Roberts, author of //Elizabethan England,// talks about the end of the Queen’s life “In February 1603, Elizabeth became very sick; however, she would not let any doctors attend to her. There is some speculation that she was worn out, and welcomed death. Queen Elizabeth died when she was sixty nine years old, on March 24 1603. The Tudor dynasty had ended and the Elizabethan age was over” (20). Queen Elizabeth I was one of the most loved monarchs throughout English history. Her popularity has waned little after four hundred years, and her legacy still lives on even today. Works Cited Chrisp, Peter. //Shakespeare//. New York, NY: Dorling Kindersley, 2002. 22-23. Print. Roberts, Russell. //Elizabethan England//. NY, New York: Mitchell Lane Publishers, 2010. 13-20. Print.