(1558-1603)

Tudor Dynasty

Henry VIII

Bloody Mary (Catholic)

Catherine of Aragon (Catholic)Henry VIII

Henry VIII Anne Boleyn

Elisabeth I

Bloody Mary Elisabeth’s half-sister (bastard). Daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragone)

Elisabeth (daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn)

Mary, queen of Scots

Mary’s father (James V) was the the nephew of King Henry VIII. He died shortly after her birth. She was a Catholic pretender to the English throne. (Her mother was a French Catholic) Catholic People supported her and plotted against Elizabeth, who was forced to have her executed.

Mary of Guise , 1515–60, queen consort of James V of Scotland and regent for her daughter, Mary Queen of Scots

Duke of Anjou, nephew of Mary of Guise. He would like to marry Elisabeth for political reasons

Robert Dudley, Elisabeth’s secret lover

Duke of Norfolk, one of the most powerful Barons aiming at power. He organizes a plot against Elisabeth with the Catholic Church

Walsingham, Elisabeth’s advisor

Sir William, (the white-bearded wise man) sincerely worried for Elisabeth, a Court loyal Counsellor

Vatican’s men,

Spanish ambassador = Monseigneur Alvaro

ATMOSPHERE IN Tudor times

Time of religious turmoil (disordini, tumulti)

Dangerous times

SUSPICION , CONSPIRACY and INTRIGUES are everywhere. Double-faced people. You had to beware everybody!

TREASON (act of deceiving and betraying somebody

that trusts you) prevails over true feelings such as faithfulness and loyalty . England is full of TRAITORS. You can’t trust anybody.

Windsor Castle (outside London - Queen’s residence)

Scotland (Royal Castle + battlefields). Elizabeth sent troops to assist the Protestants fighting against the Catholics

Tower of London (prison)

MURDERS or MURDER ATTEMPTS occur quite easily

Protestants (seen as Heretics) against Catholics (seen as TRUE FAITH supporters). Human bonfires burn everywhere

Life is cheap, what really matters is power

However Bloody Mary is seriously ill and cancer claims her before she can have Elizabeth executed for "treason“.

The princess Elisabeth takes the crown with a certain trepidation.

At the beginning of the film we see Bloody Mary on the Throne carrying on fierce persecutions against Protestants. Elisabeth (her half-sister) is unfairly (falsely) accused of treason.

• The Spanish want marriage with her to secure power over France

•Many people have doubts about her title to the throne. .

• The barons are maneuvering themselves into positions of wealth and influence (Norfolk + Mary of Scots)

• The country’s poor, there’s no money (Treasuty empty) , no munitions. Spain and France are threating England

•The French have attacked Scotland taking advantage of Elisabeth’s weakness. Elisabeth has to decide whether to intervene and help the Scottish Protestants. All Protestants are waiting to be

saved and be allowed freedom of religion

Elizabeth showed moderately Protestant inclinations, in order to please both Protestants and Catholics and introduced a common book of prayers.

Well educated and learned, she could speak many languages. Strong-willed woman. Her Privy Council was full of very good advisors.

Musicians, poets, actors and writers enriched her Court, anxious to please her.

It was an age of great adventurers and She selected capable advisors helped her rule the country efficiently. (Walsingham, the Cecils, Drake, Raleigh, Leicester)

The armada sailed and was defeated by the heavier armaments of English ships.

Lots of discoveries and colonization took place. The first colony was fouded (Virginia).

Drake circumnavigated the globe and returned with 1 ½ million £ treasure.

In the East India Company was founded.

At her death, Elizabeth left the country secure and religious troubles had largely disappeared.

Queen’s official portrait by George

Gower (1588)

Real person or icon of power and majesty?

Look at her face: ageless, ghostly, mask-like face, detached from body, ruff decorated with spheres Lots of jewels all around the neck, elaborate dress pattern

Depicted in triumph, with one hand on a globe, symbolizing Britain's naval supremacy and expanding empire. Behind we can see scenes of naval battle.

She never married anybody but England, her only true love.

She will be remembered as the Virgin Queen who devoted all of her life to her beloved country.