On This Day in Elizabethan History: The Death of Queen Elizabeth I

The Funeral Procession of Queen Elizabeth I, 1603. Picture Acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

412 years ago today, in 1603, Queen Elizabeth I passed away at the age of 69 after 44 years on the throne of England. Her reign had been unlike any other, and know one would come close to replicating it in the years to come. Discover the achievements of her remarkable reign, and what made Good Queen Bess so special in our BeingBess article, "The Death of Queen Elizabeth I, and the End of the Elizabethan Era".

On This Day in Elizabethan History: Queen Elizabeth I Dies

The Funeral Procession of Queen Elizabeth I, 1603. Elizabeth's funeral effigy is now part of the Westminster Abbey effigy collection.

"If you knew what awaited me in my bed, you would not go and lie down, either"

On this day in Elizabethan history in 1603, after 44 effective years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth I, the last of the Tudor dynasty, died at the age of 69 at Richmond Palace. Her reign of peace, prosperity, and pageantry became known as The Golden Age, and she herself was affectionately known as Good Queen Bess. As historian Garrett Mattingly observed, never had their been a love affair like the one between Elizabeth Tudor and her subjects.

To read about Elizabeth's final days before her death, and to revisit the highlights of her illustrious reign, please read our BeingBess article here.

Queen Elizabeth's Bodies: The Effigy Corset

The author as Queen Elizabeth I, wearing a reproduction of the effigy bodies. The reproduction bodies/corset was created on commission by The Very Merry Seamstress. Photo by L.Jensen.

As a first-person historical interpreter of Queen Elizabeth I, it is of the utmost importance to me that I commission and wear replication pieces of  clothing and jewelry that actually belonged to Queen Elizabeth I. My 'pilgrimage' to Westminster Abbey in the summer of 2007 not only brought me into the presence of Queen Elizabeth I via her impressive tomb, but also through her effigy, on display in the Undercroft Museum. 

An effigy of Queen Elizabeth I alongside her 'effigy corset' in the Undercroft Museum at Westminster Abbey. Picture acquired from TheTudorTutor/Barb Alexander on Pinterest .

The bodie (to uses the appropriate 16th century term) worn by Queen Elizabeth's funeral effigy is known in costuming circles as the "effigy corset"; it was a a piece that I knew I had to have a reproduction of. In 2012 I finally had it made by the incredibly talented and pleasant-to-work-with Heather Piper, also known as The Very Merry Seamstress.

Another photograph of the author as Queen Elizabeth I, this time without the farthingale, wearing a reproduction of the effigy bodies. The reproduction bodies/corset was created on commission by The Very Merry Seamstress. Photo by L.Jensen.

The so-called effigy corset was found on an effigy of Queen Elizabeth I. Based on its design and construction, clothing historians originally assumed that it was 18th century in origin. However, costume historian Janet Arnold, who is the definitive authority on the extensive wardrobe of Queen Elizabeth I, reached an entirely different conclusion. After examining the garment, Arnold was able to verify that not only did the bodie date from the late 16th-early 17th century, (Elizabeth died in 1603) but that it was made specifically for her funeral effigy after her death. Therefore, the dimensions of the bodie that clothed Queen Elizabeth's effigy, which was paraded through the streets of London as part of her funerary procession was, in all likelihood, based off of a pair of bodies worn by the Queen when she was alive (Arnold, The Funeral Effigies off Westminster Abbey).

The 'effigy corset' of Queen Elizabeth I.

The effigy bodies are made from fustian and fully-boned with whalebone, though I, of course, opted for the more humane boning material of steel for my reproduction! The bodie has shoulder straps that are attached to the back piece of the bodie and fasten over the shoulder with ties, allowing for a slight adjustment in the arms, if need be. I personally like to keep my straps fastened as tight as possible, in order to provide extra support. The bodie is spiral laced at the front, and does not feature a busk, which would have been characteristic of an earlier Tudor corset.

All formal Tudor and Elizabethan attire required the use of structured, and in some cases restrictive undergarments to shape an individual's body in order to provide an agreeable canvas for their clothes. Today, most people follow the exact opposite rule, preferring to dress in clothing styles that are flattering for their unique body type. When I wear my pair of effigy bodies, the boning takes several inches off my waist and greatly reduces the size of my bust, (which I consider no small miracle) and it does indeed conform my body to the appropriate shape for my Elizabethan clothes.

After more than seven hours of wear, any bodies or corset will start to gnaw on your stomach and lower back, and this is especially true of the effigy bodies, since it has tabs that extend down your side and back.

But I consider pain a small price to pay for historical accuracy. And I take comfort in sharing in the knowledge that all women have known since the dawn of time, which is that "beauty is pain".

Sources 

Arnold, Janet. The Funeral Effigies of Westminster Abbey. Ed. Harvey Anthony and Richard Mortimer. London: Boydell & 
     
     Brewer, 2003. Print.
    

On This Day in Elizabethan History: The Death of Queen Elizabeth I

The wooden head of a funeral effigy of Queen Elizabeth I.

On this day in 1603, after 44 years on the throne of England, Queen Elizabeth I passed away at the age of 69 at Richmond Palace. 

The impressive marble effigy of Queen Elizabeth I on her tomb in Westminster Abbey. This photo was shared for public use provided credit was given by Lara E. Eakins of Tudorhistory.org.

To read about Queen Elizabeth's final days before her death, and to re-visit the highlights of her illustrious reign, please view our article, The Death of Queen Elizabeth I, and the End of the Elizabethan Era.

The funeral procession of Queen Elizabeth I, circa 1603. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

Rest in Peace, Queen Elizabeth I. It was an honor to share your legacy with others yesterday when I presented two of my original BeingBess programs, Queen Elizabeth I Addresses Her Troops at Tilbury, and In Her Own Words: An Audience With Queen Elizabeth I at The Higgins Armory Museum.

The author as Queen Elizabeth I presenting one of her original BeingBess programs on 3/23/13. Photo by L.Jensen.

What do you find most impressive about Queen Elizabeth I or her reign? Please share your opinion below so that together, we can celebrate her memory!

On this Day in Elizabethan History: The Death of Queen Elizabeth I, and the End of the Elizabethan Era

The Funeral Procession of Queen Elizabeth I, 1603. Elizabeth's funeral effigy is now part of the Westminster Abbey effigy collection.

On this Day in Elizabethan History, March 24th 1603, Queen Elizabeth I passed away at the age of 69. When Elizabeth knew she was dying, she refused to take to her sick bed, despite the urging of her councillors that she should rest. Elizabeth was recorded as saying, "if you knew what awaited me in my bed, you would not go and lie down either." Queen Elizabeth would leave this world only when she deemed it acceptable to do so herself, and through the sheer willpower that she had become famous for, Elizabeth remained standing for weeks on end with very little food or water to sustain herself as she contemplated the many episodes of her life. When Elizabeth finally laid her head down on her pillow, she had Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester's last letter with her, and supposedly she called out his name as she was dying.


"His Last Letter" as Elizabeth titled it in her own hand; this was the last letter she had received from her lifelong friend and only love, Robert Dudley when he was away from her recovering from his infirmities. Dudley thanks Elizabeth for the medicine that she has sent him, informing her that the tonic's are much better than anything else he has been given. He inquires as to her health, and jokes "I humbly kiss your foot".Any places in the letter where two o's are together, Dudley doodled them into eyes, a nod to Elizabeth's nickname for him. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.


After 44 years on the throne of England, Elizabeth had earned herself the nicknames of "Gloriana" and "Good Queen Bess" because of the fame, fortune, peace and prosperity she had brought to her realm.  The last of the Tudor's, Elizabeth was also undoubtedly the greatest.

Elizabeth inherited a country on the brink of disaster in 1558. Her legitimacy and thus her right to rule was in question by those who did not wish to see her succeed. Despite the odds being against her, Elizabeth got straight to work solving the many problems of the country was to serve.


The Coronation Portrait of Elizabeth I. This portrait depicts Elizabeth at 25, holding the orb and scepter of a sovereign of England, and clad in an ermine-trimmed robe (ermine being a symbol of royalty). It is a 17th century copy of a 16th century original. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

Queen Elizabeth selected men whom she knew she could trust to give her honest council and a variety of opinions, to serve in the various positions of her government. No one doubts that Elizabeth was an expert in politics and statesmanship. As queen she would always make the final decisions on matters of state using her own sound judgement. Elizabeth would weigh the input of her council against her own beliefs, and sometimes prudently stall making a decision up until the eleventh hour (this tactic being much to her council's frustration); but for all her procrastination her choices were always right in the end. 

Elizabeth's adoption of a moderate religious policy appeased the majority of her subjects, both Catholic and Protestant, and allowed them to see themselves unified as English first, rather than divided by religious faction. Elizabeth was able to keep her people from the countless religious and civil wars that were destroying the rest of Europe.

Queen Elizabeth stimulated a bleak economy by encouraging at-home trade and industry, and as a result England would become mostly independent for the first time during her reign. Elizabeth's practice of granting religious asylum to individuals and families with special skills would only contribute to England's economic strength. Toward the end of her reign, Elizabeth had effectively solved the debt crisis that had been left to her by her predecessors.

The Clopton Portrait of Elizabeth I, c. 1560-1565.


Queen Elizabeth's value of education originated from a childhood where learning was her only solace; she mastered the history of the world, seven languages, translation, religion, science and astronomy, along with the more traditional pursuits of musical composition, dance and singing. This enjoyment and mastery of her education motivated Elizabeth to become a benefactress of both Cambridge and Oxford University; in fact, she would visit the students there personally many times throughout her reign. During the Elizabethan era, an alarming amount of grammar schools were established, which gave educational opportunities to more of England's people than ever before. In Ireland, Queen Elizabeth would found Trinity College, which is still in operation to this day.


The embroidered book cover of Elizabeth's translation of The Mirror of the Sinful Soul. This translation of the French text into English (and the book cover itself) was done by the Princess Elizabeth as a gift to her stepmother Queen Katherine Parr.



Queen Elizabeth Playing the Lute, a miniature attributed to Nicholas Hilliard, c. 1580. This miniature was commissioned by the Queen's cousin Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon. Elizabeth composed many original pieces of music, and she was praised for her skill at playing the virginals. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

Queen Elizabeth and her courtiers brought England into the "Golden Age", promoting theatre, music, art, and literature. Shakespeare, Marlowe, Spenser, Johnson, Byrd, Hilliard, Teerlinc, Lanyer, and the Sidney's are just some of the many remarkable talents that hailed from Elizabeth's court. Elizabeth made England a superpower, using her "Sea Dogs" to explore, plunder, settle and trade in the New World. The dominant power in the 16th century had been Spain up until the 30th year of Elizabeth's reign, when the Elizabethan Navy destroyed the Spanish Armada when it dared to invade England in 1588. With the founding of the East India Trading Company, Elizabeth was able to leave her mark on the next two centuries of England as Empire.


The Armada Portrait, attributed to George Gower. This painting was commissioned to commemorate the English's defeat of the Spanish Armada. Elizabeth is shown with her hand resting on a globe, symbolizing that she is a world power. The windows behind her reveal episodes of the English Navy and the Armada's battle at sea. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

 There never has been a woman nor a monarch like that of Queen Elizabeth I. Elizabeth survived a significant amount of childhood trauma and evaded death twice at the hands of her own family to become the greatest ruler of the Western World. Never has there been a love affair like that of Elizabeth Tudor and her people. Elizabeth sacrificed her chance of having a husband and her own children to be married to England, and to become a mother to her people. And I know that in the end she never regretted that decision.

Eliza Triumphans, a woodcut print from 1589 celebrating Queen Elizabeth as the savior of the English people. Attributed to William Rogers. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

"And though you have had and may have many mightier and wiser Princes sitting in this seat, you never had nor shall have any that will love you better."-the words of Elizabeth Regina, from The Golden Speech, delivered to her last Parliament in 1601.

Queen Elizabeth Presiding Over Parliament, c. 1580-1600.Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

Elizabeth Tudor, Queen of England lives on in the heart's and minds of all who study her. I am one of those people. I will never know enough or understand enough about this fascinating, multidimensional woman and icon to ever be satisfied. If I can get one child to fall in love with Elizabeth as I did at the age of 12, I will have done what I set out to do.

Rest in Peace, Elizabeth Tudor, Queen of England. Your legend lives on...