Born 1533 – Died 1603 • Queen of England 1559 - 1603

"Her father would kill her mother and Elizabeth would be disinherited, sexually abused and imprisoned at the Tower under threat of execution"

David Starkey

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Elizabeth reigned for 45 years, she ushered in a golden age in English society.  With a flourishing of literature, led by William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe.  The seafaring prowess of adventurers such as Walter Raleigh and Francis Drake.   England's population  grew from 3 to 4 million, in an age of trade expansion and colonisation.  Arguably, her finest hour was the defeat of the Spanish Armada.  National pride was at an all-time high.

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Elizabeth never married, but one suitor came very close.  Robert Dudley, tall and dashing.  They stalked each other for decades, parting only on his death.  Devastated, she locked herself away for days, only coming out when her door was broken down by Lord Burghley.  She kept his farewell letter in a locked casket by her bed for the rest of her life.

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"I have already joined myself in marriage to a husband, namely the kingdom of England" 

Elizabeth I

Photo: NPG/Wikipedia • Believed to be in the Public Domain (Age - Copyright expired)