Queen+Elizabeth+I+Primary+Sources

Elizabeth I: The Armada Portrait 1588 by Unknown artist This portrait shows one of the major aspects of Queen Elizabeth I’s life, which is her virgin status which is seen through the pearls which have been used in the garment which represent purity. The necklace was also reportedly a present from Robert Dudley who she was supposably having an affair with. This shows us the constant pressure she was under from the public eye as she was unable to be with him as it would damage the crown due to his past marriage. The crown which is featured in the mid ground of the painting reveals her role and career as Queen and the globe represents her legacy and achievements of great explorations which started to take place during her reign as Queen. The background of the painting also shows the aspect of the military defeat of the Spanish Armada which was won as a result of her commands, which was one of the significant achievements she made as it was a great triumph for England.
 * What does it reveal about her life, career and/or legacy? **

Elizabeth I: The Pelican Portrait 1575 attributed to Nicholas Hilliard **What does it reveal about her life, career and/or legacy? ** This portrait reveals the career of Elizabeth I as she was Queen of England which is represented through the crowns which are featured in the background on top of the roses. These roses represent her family background and family tree as being a Tudor monarch from the red rose family. It shows the dynastic claims which were made by both England and France at the time as a result of a fleur-de-lys on the right of the painting symbolising this. Elizabeth I is wearing a pendent on her breast which at the time represented her selfless love for her subjects because legend has said that the pelican would prick its own breast to feed its children blood. This represents her desire and first loyalty to the people of England which was the legacy she passed onto future successors. 

Queen Elizabeth I’s address to Parliament on an unknown date
 * //“I have already joined myself in marriage to a husband, namely the kingdom of England.” //**

This source reveals Queen Elizabeth’s love and devotion to both her country and her people as she would put their needs above her own and would sacrifice major parts of her life so that the crown was kept safe the public supported her. This is seen as she wouldn’t get married because she had already given herself fully to her duty and country. This source reveals the true facts behind the career of being Queen as Elizabeth I has had to give her whole life to the English monarchy and help restore England back to the great power that it is, which reinforces the view of it being a hard and lonely life where everyone is always watching and judging their every move. It also shows how she was a strong and independent women who wouldn’t be pushed around by the men at the court or council who wanted her to get married and lean on her husband to run the country which is embedded in the legacy that she left behind. Queen Elizabeth I has been portrayed in many similar ways in these three sources such as being represented as a powerful and influence as Queen and devoted herself to her country and people. Although there are different perspectives which are shown, as source three is the only one which point out the hard and lonely life which a Queen has due to being constantly watched. The other two sources show either the thought of a man in her life through the pearls which she is wearing in source one, or source two shows her family background giving the perspective that she is not lonely as she had them in her life. Due to these perspectives you get the feel that she has people to lean on and not all that strong and independent. Source three shows a different side to this idea as it shows that she is strong and independent as she would be pushed around by the men at court to marry and she didn’t need a husband to lean on her support.
 * What does it reveal about her life, career and/or legacy? **
 * Different perspectives based on sources **

Source two and three also show the perspective of Queen Elizabeth being devoted to her country and although source one doesn’t really represent this it shows what she is willing to do to protect her country and people. This perspective is also only shown in this source as it is the only one that shows an achievement which she has made and that was defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588.