ELIZABETH I
1558-1603
• IMAGES OF ELIZABETH
• Elizabeth was determined that her public should see
her in a certain way. She wanted her public to be
impressed by her appearance and controlled what
they were allowed to see of her.
• Look at the following images of Elizabeth and
think what type of message the portrait is trying to
give. Also consider what age you think Elizabeth is
in the portraits
Break the code
Swords show justice and
power
Ermine shows a pure queen
A crown means she is truly
a queen
A snake stands for wisdom
A rainbow stands for peace
Long hair, or a low cut
dress, shows a virgin
Flowers stands for youth
Decorative eyes or ears
mean the ruler has great
knowledge
A hand on a globe means
power
Black and white were the
colours of the pure and wise
Break the code
Swords show justice and
power
Ermine shows a pure queen
A crown means she is truly
a queen
A snake stands for wisdom
A rainbow stands for peace
Long hair, or a low cut
dress, shows a virgin
Flowers stands for youth
Decorative eyes or ears
mean the ruler has great
knowledge
A hand on a globe means
power
Black and white were the
colours of the pure and wise
Break the code
Swords show justice and
power
Ermine shows a pure queen
A crown means she is truly
a queen
A snake stands for wisdom
A rainbow stands for peace
Long hair, or a low cut
dress, shows a virgin
Flowers stands for youth
Decorative eyes or ears
mean the ruler has great
knowledge
A hand on a globe means
power
Black and white were the
colours of the pure and wise
Break the code
Swords show justice and
power
Ermine shows a pure queen
A crown means she is truly
a queen
A snake stands for wisdom
A rainbow stands for peace
Long hair, or a low cut
dress, shows a virgin
Use the clues to
break the code.
Decide what each
portrait is trying
to tell you about
Elizabeth.
Flowers stands for youth
Decorative eyes or ears
mean the ruler has great
knowledge
A hand on a globe means
power
Black and white were the
colours of the pure and wise
THE
ARMADA
PORTRAIT
1588
• Why do you think that the
queen’s hand is resting upon
the globe?
• What do you think is being
shown in the background of
this portrait?
• What is your overall
impression of Elizabeth in
this portrait?
Queen Elizabeth
in her final years
• What can you
see behind
Elizabeth?
•What words
would you use
to describe her
appearance in
this portrait?
A
B
1546
E
C
1583
D
1600
1588
How old do you think Elizabeth is in each
portrait?
Elizabeth was born in 1533 and died in
1603. How old was she in each portrait?
Final years
Why do you think Elizabeth wanted to be
portrayed this way?
Do you think controlling the type of image people see of public
figures still exists today?