So, What Has Bess Been Up To?

Dearest readers,

I am very sorry for my long absence! I regret not giving you a new article or even a brief post recently. Do not worry, I have not forgotten about my loyal readers and all of their valued, enthusiastic feedback, and my dedication to Queen Elizabeth I is as strong as ever! "Real Life" has kept me very busy recently, but my boss informs me that the next few weeks at the museum are traditionally rather slow, admissions-wise, so I will have a lot more time to regularly update this site!

So what have I been up to, you ask? Well, I have recently participated in an ad-campaign for my museums upcoming "Festival of Ale" (October, naturally) and our "Tournament of Wines" in November, which has been a lot of fun, and the pictures we are using to attract customers came out great!

Advertisement image courtesy Higgins Armory Museum.



In addition to modeling for promotional material, I had a series of photos taken of me as Good Queen Bess, to advertise my current Elizabeth program, and several other Elizabeth programs I have been developing. I look forward to sharing them with you as soon as I get them!

If that was not enough to keep me occupied, I have taken it upon myself to work on 13th century programing with one of my talented co-workers (somehow the Tudor/Elizabethan era and the 13th and 14th century's became my favorite time periods, don't ask me how that happened, since they are so very different!) 

Also, I am participating in an auditorium show with two more of my fabulous co-workers, and must get my monologue and garb together by the 17th of September. "International Talk Like a Pirate Day" is the 19th of September (Thank you Layclerk!) but since the museum is not open on the actual day, we celebrate on the 17th! Stay tuned for an exciting feature article on this other remarkable Elizabethan woman I will be portraying for Pirate Day...any guesses on who she is, Tudor-philes? (Post your guess below!)

I have also taken over "Women in Viking Times" programing for my accomplished friend, Bill Short, a published author and expert on Icelandic Saga's and Viking combat. Please visit his websites here if you are interested in the Dark Ages, Norse culture, practical combat, or Viking raids:

http://www.williamrshort.com/

http://www.hurstwic.org/

Last but not least I have been investigating starting my masters degree, in Museum Education. Phew! Despite how busy I am, I am just reveling at how very lucky I am to be participating in all these exciting projects and programs! I just pinch myself that I have such a stimulating and rewarding job, with such wonderful co-workers who I value as friends!

I hope to FINALLY bring you that new article on Elizabeth I's childhood and education that I have been promising by the end of next week, at the latest!

Also, the countdown is about to begin to Elizabeth Tudors birthday on the 7th of September, so I will be sure to do many mini-posts this week concerning the events of her birth!

Stay tuned!

Semper Eadem,
Ashlie

On This Day in Elizabethan History: The Death of Elizabeth's "spirit", William Cecil, Lord Burghley

On this day, August 4th 1598 William Cecil, Lord Burghley died. Burghley, whom the Queen called her "spirit" was Elizabeth's chief advisor in the privy council. Having served her brother Edward VI before her, Burghley was one of the first subjects Elizabeth appointed to her staff upon her ascension to the throne.

William Cecil, Lord Burghly, painted by Marcus Gheeraerts in the robes of the Order of the Garter c. 1585-1598.



Burghley served Queen Elizabeth I faithfully and selflessly from the beginning of his career, though he did initially harbor some doubts about her capability as a woman to rule alone. Eventually, Burghley (along with everyone else) abandoned pressuring Elizabeth to wed.

Burghley typically took a cautionary and methodical approach to matters of foreign policy. Queen Elizabeth favored preserving peace in her realm and avoiding conflict elsewhere at all costs, so she often turned to Burghley for advice on international relations.

Burghley was succeeded by his son, Robert Cecil, who had been training under his father for a number of years before his passing. Robert also proved hardworking and wise. Elizabeth endearingly nicknamed him her "pygmy" due to his small stature!

William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, Lord High Treasurer of England Bodleian Library, Oxford c. 1570. Image public domain.



Rest in Peace, Lord Burghley. You served your Queen and your country well!