“When I received this [Coronation] ring I solemnly bound myself in marriage to the realm, and it will be quite sufficient for the memorial of my name and for my glory, if, when I die, an inscription be engraved on a marble tomb, saying, “Here lieth Elizabeth, which reigned a virgin, and died a virgin.”” Unfortunately these words had become spasmodically through her reign as Queen. Queen Elizabeth was in a constant battle with Parliament for her to marry and leave an heir to the throne. She never married and did indeed die a virgin. Queen Elizabeth was often depicted in many paintings as a virgin and being of purity, of being of royalty, of strong political mind and striving for peace amongst her kingdom. The depiction of the Queen’s purity and her strive for peace amongst her kingdom, while battling the parliament on not having an heir to the throne and other political obstacles that she was faced with can be symbolized in the painting the “Ermine Portrait”. Notably, that when the Queen or someone commissioned a picture of the Queen, the artist had to be of high distinction and follow all of the guidelines set forth by the Queen. Nicholas Hilliard was a great miniaturist during the late 16th century and early 17th century. Even though he is now credited with painting the “Ermine Portrait” in 1585, William Segar had been attributed with painting it for many years. Nicholas Hilliard was sent away to Geneva as a child by his father to escape the Marian persecution of people who was of the Protestant faith. While in Geneva he lived with John Bodley, who was an allegiant Protestant. Growing up with such a strong Protestant background it is only natural to assume that Hilliard was steadfast in the Protestant belief as well. While wit... ... middle of paper ... ...ourney toward peace, and her strive for justice. Bibliography Chambelin, Fredrick. The Sayings of Queen Elizabeth I. New York: Dodd, Mead and Company, 1923. Grand Ladies. 2009. http://www.gogmsite.net/the_late_farthingale_era_fr/minialbum_queen_elizabeth_o/1585_ermine_portrait_by_nic.html (accessed May 20, 2012). Mueller, Janel. The Correpondence between Queen Elizabeth I and James VI. May 5, 2000. http://fathom.lib.uchicago.edu/1/777777122584/ (accessed May 20, 2012). Strong, Roy. "Gloriana: The Portraits of Queen Elizabeth I." New York: Thames and Hudon, 1987. —. Gloriana: The Portraits of Queen Elizabeth I. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc., 1987. Trueman, Chris. History Learning Site. 2010-2012. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/elizabethspain.htm (accessed May 20, 2012). Turner, Jane. The Dictionary of Art. New York: Grove's Dictionaries, 1996.
The painting of Fidelia and Speranza comes from a poem description by Edmund Spenser who is the Elizabeth poet. This poem is
Eco, Umberto. Art and Beauty in the Middle Ages. Trans. Hugh Bradin. New Haven: Yale UP, 1986.
Rowse, A.L. “The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth.” HistoryToday. History Todayltd. May 1953. Web. 15 Jan. 2014.
Brian May and Roger Taylor, in 1970, set the wheels in motion for Queen when they decided to form a band during their college years. Queen started out as a band called Smile who signed with Mercury Records, and included: Tim Staffell, Brian May, and Roger Taylor. Once Tim Staffell left, the group added Freddie Mercury (lead singer) and bassist John Deacon. Freddie Mercury, Farrokh Bulsara, was a fan of Smile and was added on as the lead vocalist. John Deacon began as a young guitarist who was a member of the group called The Opposition. This band was composed of a group of friends, and they were influenced by groups such as The Hollies and Herman’s Hermits. Eventually, Deacon was added to the group that already included Mercury, Taylor, and May. Over time, the group changed their name to Queen. The name Queen was selected by Mercury, and this name is symbolic of power and regality. The addition of Mercury proved to be an essential aspect to the history of Queen’s success. In Queen: The Early Years, Hodkinson writes, “much of what made Freddie also defined Queen: without him they were merely a model rock band with a bent for a commercial tune” (2). The group became well known for their theatrical performances and costumes that were often over the top. “From their international breakthrough in 1976, Queen continually remained one of the best-selling rock acts worldwide beyond Mercury's death in 1991. Their total record sales are estimated at up to 300 million records” (Desler 391). This group was important to the evolution of music and music performance in bands that were to follow them.
Byes, Paula K, and Suzanne M Bourgion. ECYCLOPEDIA OF WORLD BIOGRAPHY SECOND EDITION. 2nd. 8.
[Even when her power was fading Elizabeth showed her love to her people. She gave one of her most famous speeches, Golden Speech]. In it, “Of myself I must say this, I was never greedy, scraping grasper, nor a strait, fast holding prince, nor yet a waster. My heart was never set on worldly goods but for my subjects’ good” (History.com).
...d with the best gems/ Ever brought into Britain, with bright pennies/ to pay,/ Fair queen, without a flaw,/ She glanced with eyes of grey./ A seemlier that once he saw, In truth, no man could say" (74-85).
Elizabeth is the daughter of Anne Boleyn and King Henry the 8th. She was declared a bastard in 1537 when her father finally had a male child. After this no one believed that she would ever inherit the throne of England. Elizabeth was very damaged by the fact that her father kept beheading his wives. One of her step-mothers Catherine Howard, who was her mother’s cousin, was kind to her and it deeply affected her that another person she loved was beheaded (Weir Pg. 13). Many people believe that this is one of the main reasons that Elizabeth never wanted to marry. The institution itself was deeply flawed to her reasoning. I would be the same way if every time my father married he got to chop the woman’s head off because he was bored with her.
Lesko, Barbara, "Queen Khamerernebty II and Her Sculpture," in Ancient Egyptian and Mediterranean Studies, (Providence, Rhode Island, 1998), 158.
DeWitte, Debra J. Gateways To Art. (2012). New York: New York. Thames & Hudson . 244. Print.
Elizabeth led England during it’s greatest time of influence as a nation despite the prejudices against her gender. Many people believe that her life was like a fairy tale-“Beloved by the kingdom; dressed by servants in jewels and gold, silk and velvet; pampered and treasured by kings and married to princes”, but in reality her life did not come close to being a fairy tale. Many of her subjects hater her from the moment she was born. She experienced imprisonment, her sister threatened to kill her, and she was almost forced in marriages with men she hated. Some of her friends caused uprisings in her name. Her enemies tried to assassinate her. Her father had her mother beheaded and ignored her for most of her life. Although she had many suitors, she never loved any of them. She understood the common people and eventually gained the loyalty of those who hated her. She could also be ruthless. The city gates and London Bridge held the bodies of the people that she executed during her reign.
Queen Elizabeth is known as one of the most brilliant and powerful rulers of England. It is from numerous written accounts of her coming to power and being a ruler, as well as the pictures of her in her reign that allows for there to be a compelling visual of a strong leader to be placed in one’s mind when reflecting on Queen Elizabeth. As a result of being exposed to these documents and pictures anyone can see Elizabeth as a strong ruler. However, this strong visualization is not by chance, it is instead the manipulation of the art and articles to specifically communicate that Elizabeth, while being both a female and a protestant, is nonetheless a worthy ruler favored by God. With the proper use of symbolism and the knowledge of how to positively
Queen Elizabeth I, also known as the “Iron Queen”, was a remarkable woman of her time, she ruled with great power and longevity. She was one of the greatest feminist of time. Coming to the throne in 1558, she took the place of her father, Henry VIII. She was given one of the most difficult jobs fit for a man or King, ruling England. At the time women were second class citizens, they could not vote nor own properties and such. Surprising England with her intelligence and fierce rulings, she changed herself to make better decisions. She proved through her rulings, to everyone that females were strong and could rule just as well as a king. She refused to marry, giving a feeling of “I don’t need a man for anything.” The Queen was responsible for giving females a voice in literature and it is shown through Shakespeare’s writings.
4. Simons, Margaret: Feminist Interpretations of Simone de Beauvoir, The Pennsylvania State University Press, Pennsylvania, 1994.
Sommerville, J.P. "The Reign of Elizabeth." The Reign of Elizabeth. J.P. Sommerville, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2014. .