Aleksandra Bojović
QUEEN ELIZABETH I
Publishing House PČELICA Kolubarska 4, Čačak, Serbia office@pcelica.rs www.pcelica.rs
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he transformed England from a land on the fingertips of Europe into one of the most powerful countries in the world. It is for this reason that she is considered one of the most important female rulers of all time. Her name was Elizabeth I of England, and this is her story.
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Queen Elizabeth I
Sad Childhood of Тhe the Future Queen
Еlizabeth I, the Queen of England and Ireland, was born in 1533 in Greenwich, just outside London. Her mother was Queen of England, Anne Boleyn, and her father, Henry VIII, King of England.
Elizabeth’s father married six times, which was against the rules of the Catholic Church1. In order to procure permission to divorce Katherine of Aragon, his first wife, and marry Anne Boleyn, he established the Church of England where he was the supreme ruler. When Elizabeth was only three years old, Henry VIII ordered the execution of her mother and, declared her an illegitimate child and denied her any rights to inheritance. ¹ The Catholic Church is the largest Christian Church with the most followers in the World.
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A Princess Without Inheritance Although
he refused to recognise them, Henry VIII allowed Elizabeth and her sister Mary, his daughter from his first marriage with Catherine of Aragon, the luxuries of a royal lifestyle. Elizabeth prudently took advantage of this privilege and spent her childhood in diligent study. In addition to English, she spoke five other languages: French, Italian, Spanish, Greek and Latin.
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Later in her life, and especially in her governing duties, Elizabeth’s above average education was of great value. Primarily, she left her associates and those with whom she negotiated in awe, because that level of education was rare among women of her time, even if they came from royal families. In addition, her knowledge in many areas prevented rotten associates and malicious advisors from taking advantage of her position and deceiving her.
Thoughts on False Appearances Those who appear the most sanctified are the worst. Queen Elizabeth I
In addition to being well educated, there is evidence that in her spare time Elizabeth was secretly a writer, and a good one too. 5
A Caring Stepmother Elizabeth’s fourth stepmother, Catharine Parr, was a great
influence on Elizabeth. She triggered in her stepdaughter a love of art and science. After the death of Henry VIII, the fourteen-year-old Elizabeth was left an orphan, and was officially adopted by her.
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Katharine Parr was born in 1512 in London. She was the sixth and last wife of Elizabeth’s father Henry VIII. It is interesting to point out that she was the only among his wives who was not of blue blood1. When it comes to marriage, Katharine’s experience was similar to that of Henry VIII. She married four times, twice before marrying Henry VIII, and once after his death. After Henry VIII’s death Katharine Parr for a while governed the country in place of his son Edward, who was a minor. Generally speaking, she had a good relationship with Henry’s children. She even appealed to Henry to be kinder to Mary and Elizabeth. Katharine Parr died in 1548 in the English earldom of Gloucestershire. Someone is said to be blue-blooded if they come from inherited aristocratic or noble lines, the rich and ruling part of society. 1
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Aleksandra Bojović
QUEEN ELIZABETH I
Publishing House PČELICA Kolubarska 4, Čačak, Serbia office@pcelica.rs www.pcelica.rs