Royalists, feminists and history lovers will all enjoy tracing the footsteps of Elizabeth’s life, from prison to throne, with a visit to one or all of the twelve historical locations mentioned below which were part of her life and can still be visited today.
England’s Golden Age was said to be during the reign of Elizabeth I in the 16th century. Although it is more than 400 years since she came to the throne, she had a huge influence on England’s future. She oversaw the establishment of the Church of England, avoiding the religious wars which beset France; brought the Treasury our of its state of bankruptcy and held at bay the powerful countries of France and Spain who wanted to take control of England. Elizabeth I is credited with transforming a small island nation into a world power.
Elizabeth was never expected to rule on the English throne. She was the second daughter of Henry VIII and her mother, Anne Boleyn, gave birth to her in 1533 at the Palace of Placentia in Greenwich, now the site of the Old Royal Naval College. It is believed that the young Elizabeth played under the massive oak tree called “Queen Elizabeth’s Oak” which lies in Greenwich Park. Just two years later, Anne Boleyn was beheaded on trumped-up charges of treason. Her true crime, in her husband’s eyes, was that she had failed to produce the longed-for male heir. The charge of her mother’s betrayal made Elizabeth in effect illegitimate and ineligible to succeed to the throne.
Upon the death on King Henry VIII, Elizabeth’s half-brother was crowned Edward VI at the age of nine, but he died just six years later. Queen Mary I, Elizabeth’s elder half-sister then ruled for five years. Mary was an unpopular figure. She saw Elizabeth as a threat to her sovereignty and had Elizabeth imprisoned for a time in the Tower of London.
In 1558, upon Mary I’s death, Elizabeth I was crowned queen in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey. She was 25 years old and was an astute and well-educated woman with a strong protestant faith. Her political savvy coupled with a clear love of her people endeared her to her subjects.
Elizabeth I chose her advisors carefully – Lord Burghley, Sir Francis Walsingham and Sir Christopher Hatton, who incidentally had the beautiful Holdenby House built to honour his Queen. At the time it was the largest private house in England. Although Elizabeth visited often, she preferred to live in London. The magnificent Loseley Estate was built for her recreation and has some exquisite architectural features.
The arts flourished during Elizabeth’s reign producing such gifted writers as Christopher Marlowe, Francis Bacon and William Shakespeare. Elizabeth was known to have attended Shakespeare’s plays at the original Globe Theatre on the south bank of the Thames. The new Globe Theatre has now been authentically reconstructed close to the original site and makes a great place to visit. Shakespeare also performed with his company, “The Lord Chamberlain’s Men” at Hampton Court Palace, another of Elizabeth’s royal homes.
Although Elizabeth had many admirers she remained resolutely single, earning her the title “Virgin Queen”. She was fond of Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, and Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire was a gift to him which she visited several times. Another of her favourite haunts was Cobham Hall, in Kent and Hedingham, which was built by the de Vere family in 1140.
After 45 years of peaceful and prosperous rule, Elizabeth I died in 1603 at Richmond Palace. Her coffin was transported down the River Thames to Westminster Abbey where she had first been crowned queen.
As Elizabeth died without an heir, she was succeeded by James I, and the kingdoms of England and Scotland were finally united under the Stuart dynasty.
|
|
|
