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?