Two Speeches by Queen Elizabeth I

Two Speeches by Queen Elizabeth I

Queen of England 1558-1603

A queen with "the heart and stomach of a king"

Introduction

Educational Goals

Students will read two speeches given by Queen Elizabeth I.  While the language in the speeches might seem difficult for modern audiences, her speeches are still convincing.  She carefully chose the words and images in her speeches to have a specific effect on her listeners. 

When she was the queen of England, no one expected Elizabeth to rule alone.  Her speeches demonstrate how she used political power , religious ideology , and gender roles  to rule as no other English woman had done before.  

After reading, students should be able to

• Summarize the queen’s message to her audience in each of the speeches. 
• Explain how Elizabeth's word choice and imagery was intended to persuade her audiences.   

Perceptive Options

Images of Elizabeth I and her world are included in most pages to help students visualize the speaker, audience, and context of the two speeches.

Names of important people are color coded throughout the book to assist making connections between people.  

Important words and phrases are bolded in the text of the speeches and background information.  

Linguistic Options

Recorded audio is available for the text of both speeches.  Click on the audio at the bottom of the pages to read along as the text is read fluently aloud.  

A movie adaptation of the second speech is also included.

Cognitive Learning Methods

Before each speech there is a page of background information.  The background pages give the reader historical context of the speech in order to understand who the Queen is speaking to and what she is speaking about.

The glossary includes terms and people that might be unfamiliar to the reader.  Many of the historical facts and people mentioned are linked to internet sites with additional information.

The coaches also give support for understanding the speeches.  Click on the coaches at the bottom of this page to meet them and understand their roles. 

After each speech, there are student response questions.  Students can summarize their thinking as they read.  At the end of the book, students can summarize their takeaways.  While this is one way students can represent their understanding, these responses are meant to support, not assess understanding.  

Background: Before Queen Elizabeth I's Reign

Before reading her speeches, let's find out a little bit more about who Elizabeth was and what England was like in the 1500s.

FIRST:  The Wars of the Roses created Instability in the English Monarchy in the 1400's

Queen Elizabeth came to power at an unstable time in English History.  For about most of the 1400s, England was in  a perpetual state of change and war.  Two competing factions of one family faught over the crown during.    

NEXT: The Tudors Come to Power As Henry VII  and Henry VIII  rule 1485-1547.

Elizabeth’s grandfather, Henry VII won the throne in 1485.  During his reign, England became much more peaceful and stable.  Henry VII and later his son Henry VIII led England through some challenging times of social, religious, and technological change. 

Henry VIII’s reign, however, was marked by his quest for a son and heir .  His attempts to find the perfect wife who would give him a son led to lots of court intrigue and strife .  This search also caused him to change England’s state religion from Catholicism to Protestantism (which was a pretty big deal).  

In the end, Henry VIII married six times .  Most of his wives had  unhappy fates.  For example, Henry VIII had Elizabeth’s mother beheaded for treason , witchcraft, and incest when Elizabeth was 3 years old. 

THEN: Elizabeth's Half-Siblings rule 1547-1558

Three of Henry VIII’s children survived to adulthood.  When he died, Elizabeth’s half brother Edward VI  became king.  Unfortunately, King Edward VI’s health was poor and he died six years later without a wife or children.  

When Edward died, Elizabeth’s half sister, Mary, became queen.  Mary I  was unpopular with many of the people in England for a variety of reason: she was Catholic , she was married to a foreign prince (Phillip II of Spain), and she changed England's religious back to Catholocism. 

Mary and Elizabeth always had an uneasy relationship.  Mary distrusted Elizabeth for two big reasons: their father had divorced Mary’s mother to marry Elizabeth’s mother, and Mary always worried that Elizabeth would lead a Protestant uprising against her.  As such, Elizabeth was under house arrest  for most of her sister’s reign.  Mary died childless after ruling for 5 years in 1558. 

IN THE END: Elizabeth Becomes Queen 1558

When Elizabeth became queen, England had gone through 3 different monarchs in about 10 years.  Elizabeth’s half-siblings had had extremely opposite religious beliefs, so the country had been through turmoil, uncertainty, and fear through their reigns.  Further, neither of Elizabeth’s half-siblings had any children which left the fate of the English monarchy uncertain.   No one wanted infighting like what had happened during the Wars of the Roses to happen again or for a foreign power to try to take over.

At age 25 Elizabeth became queen.  She was an orphan.  She was unmarried.  She had lived outside of the court and spotlight for her whole life.  The country looked to her for religious, political, and monetary stability.    

Background to Speech 1: Queen Elizabeth's First Speech Before Parliament, February 10, 1559.

Background in a Nutshell

• Date: 1558
• Place: House of Commons, Parliament,  London
• Speaker: Elizabeth I, age 26
• Audience: House of Commons, Parliament

The Full Background Story:

Before her first speech to Parliament, some members from the House of Commons sent an official request  to the new queen.  They wanted her to: (1) Get married soon (2) Not to marry a foreigner.

The Commons wanted to ensure the safety of England through having a clear heir to the throne.  They also wanted to make sure no foreign powers had a claim to the throne.

Timeline: Elizabeth's first few months as queen:

November 17, 1558 Mary I died.  Elizabeth declared queen.  

Elizabeth changed the official religion of England back to Protestanism.

January 15, 1559 Elizabeth coronated  Queen of England

Commons sends official request for Elizabeth to marry

Feburary 10, 1559 Elizabeth's First Speech before Parliament  

The image below shows a meeting Parliament during Elizabeth's reign.  In her first speech, she would have addressed a group of older, more politically experienced men like those seen below.  

Speech 1: Queen Elizabeth's First Speech Before Parliament, February 10, 1559

[Click the black audio bar at the bottom of the page to hear the speech read aloud]

Her answer to [the Commons’] petition that she marry

“In a thing which is not much pleasing unto me, the infallible testimony of your goodwill and all the rest of my people is most acceptable.  As concerning your instant persuasion  of me to marriage, I must tell you I have been ever persuaded that I was born by God to consider and, above all things, do those which appertain unto His glory.  And therefore, it is that I have made choice of this kind of life, which is most free and agreeable for such human affairs as may tend to His service only.  From which, if either the marriages which have been offered me by divers puissant princes or the danger or attempts made against my life could no whit divert me, it is long since I had any joy in the honor of a husband; and this is that I thought, then that I was a private person.   

"But when the public charge of governing the kingdom came upon me, it seemed unto me an inconsiderate folly to draw upon myself the cares which might proceed of marriage. To conclude, I am already bound unto an husband, which is the kingdom of England, and that may suffice you. 

And this,”quoth  she, “Makes me wonder that your forget, yourselves, the pledge of this alliance which I have made with my kingdom.” And withal, stretching out her hand, she showed them the ring in express and solemn terms.

“And reproach  me no more,”quoth she, “that I have no children: for every one of you, and as many as are English, are my children, and kinsfolk , of whom, so long as I am not deprived and God shall preserve me, you cannot charge me, without offense to be destitute .

(speech continued on the next page)

[Click on the audio bar at the bottom of the page to hear the speech read aloud]

(Speech continued)

“But in this I must commend you, that you have not appointed me a husband.  For that were unworthy the majesty of an absolute princess , and this discretion of you that are born my subjects.  Nevertheless, if God have ordained me to another course in life, I will promise you to do nothing to the prejudice of the commonwealth , but as far as possible, I may, will marry such an husband as shall be no less careful for the common good, then myself. And if I persist in this which which I have proposed unto myself, I assure myself, that God will so direct my counsels and yours that you shall have no cause to doubt of a successor which may be more profitable for the commonwealth than him which may proceed from me , since the posterity of good princes doth oftentimes degenerate .

“Lastly, this may be sufficient , both for my memory and honor of my name, if when I have expired my last breath, this may be inscribed upon my tomb:

Here lies interred Elizabeth

A virgin pure until her death.” 

Background Speech 2: Queen Elizabeth's Armada Speech to the Troops at Tilbury, August 9, 1588.

Background in a nutshell:

• Date: 1588
• Place: Tilbury fort on the coast of England
• Speaker: Elizabeth I, age 55
• Audience: 4,000 English troops

The full background story:

After her First Speech to Parliament, Elizabeth was true to her word, she never married.  30 years into her reign, she was leading England through a "Golden Age" of safety and prosperity. 

In 1585, England went to war with Spain for a variety of reasons:

• English pirates regularly attacked Spanish ships crossing from the Americas to Europe and stole Spanish gold and goods
• England supported the Netherlands' rebellion against Spain 
• Many of the Catholic kings in Europe did not like England's Protestant Queen, Elizabeth  
• Mary I's husband, Phillip II of Spain, thought he was entitled to rule England

In July 1588, Spain sent 130 ships and 30,000 men to invade England (which was a lot!)  

To defend the kingdom, Elizabeth sent a small fleet of ships to intercept the Spanish forces.  On land, 4,000 English troops at Tilbury prepared to defend the coast from the invaders.  

The image above shows the Spanish Armada  sailing toward England.  Elizabeth went to her troops at Tilbury and delivered a speech.  

Speech 2: Queen Elizabeth's Armada Speech to the Troops at Tilbury, August 9, 1588

[Click the black audio bars at the bottom of the page to hear the speech read aloud].

[Subscribed] Gathered by one that heard it and was commanded to utter it to the whole army the next day, to send it gathered to the queen herself.

My loving people, I  have been persuaded by some that are careful of my safety  to take heed how I commit myself to armed multitudes,  for fear of treachery.  But I assure you, I would not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people.  Let tyrants fear: I have so behaved myself that under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safe guard in the loyal hearts and good will of my subjects. Wherefore , I am come among you at this time but for my recreation and pleasure, being resolved in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all, to lay down for my God and for my kingdom and for my people, mine honor and my blood even in the dust. I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and a king of England too-

And think foul scorn  that Parma , or any prince of Europe should dare to invade the borders of my realm.  To the which, rather than any dishonor shall grow by me, I myself will venter my royal blood; I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of your virtue in the field.

I know that already for your forwardness, you have deserved rewards and crowns; and I assure you in the word of a prince you shall not fail in them.  In the meantime, my lieutenant-general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject, not doubting but by your concord in the camp, and your valor in the field and your obedience to myself and my general, we shall shortly have a famous victory over these enemies of my God, of my kingdom.

Speech 2: Queen Elizabeth's Armada Speech to the Troops at Tilbury, August 9, 1588

Click here to see an adaptation of Queen Elizabeth's speech at Tilbury. 

You can follow along with the text of the original speech below.  

My loving people, I  have been persuaded by some that are careful of my safety  to take heed how I commit myself to armed multitudes,  for fear of treachery.  But I assure you, I would not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people.  Let tyrants fear: I have so behaved myself that under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safe guard in the loyal hearts and good will of my subjects. Wherefore , I am come among you at this time but for my recreation and pleasure, being resolved in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all, to lay down for my God and for my kingdom and for my people, mine honor and my blood even in the dust. I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and a king of England too-

And think foul scorn  that Parma , or any prince of Europe should dare to invade the borders of my realm.  To the which, rather than any dishonor shall grow by me, I myself will venter my royal blood; I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of your virtue in the field.

I know that already for your forwardness, you have deserved rewards and crowns; and I assure you in the word of a prince you shall not fail in them.  In the meantime, my lieutenant-general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject, not doubting but by your concord in the camp, and your valor in the field and your obedience to myself and my general, we shall shortly have a famous victory over these enemies of my God, of my kingdom.

Summarize your Takeaways

Images used Elizabeth I's Speeches:

• Godly Woman
• Wife
• Mother
• Virgin
• Prince
• Princess
• King
• General 

References

Tudor, E. (2000). Elizabeth I Collected Works. L.S. Marcus, J. Mueller & M. B. Rose (Eds.). Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press. 

Additional Reading

Encyclopedia Britannica http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/509963/Wars-of-the-Roses

Englishheritage.org

Levin, C. (1994). The Heart and Stomach of a King: Elizabeth I and the politics and sex and power. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press. 

Modernhistorysourcebook.org 

Montrose, Louis. (2006). The Subject of Elizabeth: Authority, gender, and representation. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press. 

Tudorhistory.org