Elizabeth I was born 7 September 1533. Her mother, Anne Boleyn, was Henry VIII’s second wife and was beheaded two and a half years after Elizabeth’s birth. During her sister’s reign, she was imprisoned in the Tower of London for allegedly plotting with the Protestants. She was spared from execution due to her supporters in government. After her sister’s death and lack of an heir, she became Queen on 17 November 1558, aged 25.
In terms of religion,Elizabeth I was more practical and quickly passed laws that moved the country back to Protestantism but were not as strict as her sister or brother's. The nickname ‘The Virgin Queen’ has been since applied to her due to the fact she never married or had any children. While there were many suitors, none of them seemed to be the right fit for her.
Her foreign policy was relatively defensive apart from the actions of her fleets. Francis Drake was knighted after circumnavigating the world and led raids against Spanish ports and fleets, notably the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. Piracy and privateers was a common theme of seafarers ensuring a larger sphere of influence for Britain.
In March 1603, Elizabeth became ill. Following the death of many of her advisors and close friends, she entered a depression and passed away on 24 March 1603, aged 69. Following her death and her refusal to nominate an heir, James I became King of England, unifying the Scottish and English crowns.
Elizabeth's legacy is one of great importance, an era being named after her, the Elizabethan age. She solidified the Protestant Church of England ensuring its position, one which still stands today. Elizabeth I always worked with government and advisors ensuring a rule of popular consent and placing herself in a strong position in the hearts of her subjects.
Henry Fitzroy and Henry VIII's illegitimate children
Henry VIII had many suspected illegitimate children but only acknowledged one, Henry Fitzroy the first Duke of Richmond and Somerset, born 15 June 1519. His mother was Elizabeth Blount, the lady-in-waiting of Catherine of Aragon. He was born in secret and his arrival was unmarked by most of the nation. Henry VIII threw discretion aside and acknowledged his son, giving him the surname Fitzroy, due to his feeling that a lack of a male heir was a slight on his manhood.
Henry Fitzroy was appointed Lord High Admiral of England and Lord President of the council of the North, effectively placing the North under his control. However, throughout Henry VIII’s reign, he was never the successorto the throne. The closest he came to it, it was shortly before his death when Elizabeth I was declared illegitimate, in June 1536. However, he was ill with ‘consumption’, possibly tuberculosis, and died on 23 July 1536, aged 17.
There were many other suspected illegitimate children including Thomas Stukeley, Richard Edwardes, Catherine Carey, Henry Carey, Ethelreda Malte and John Perrot. However, due to none of these ever being acknowledged by Henry VIII, none had any claim to the throne and have never been confirmed as his children.