ELIZABETH I: RULER AND LEGEND
A SELECTION OF OUTSTANDING ITEMS IN THE EXHIBITION
Workes (First Folio): Newberry Library (NL Case YS 01)
1623, William Shakespeare. Opened to the passage in Henry VIII about Elizabeth’s
christening. This item shows a seminal example of the shaping of her legend from a very
early point. The final scene in the play opens with a confident prophesy by the Archbishop of
Canterbury foretelling the splendors of Elizabeth’s reign and remarking on the joy her
parents felt at having such a fine princess.
Sieve Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I: Private Collection
Circa 1580-1583, circle of Quentin Massys the Younger. This fine portrait shows Elizabeth
in her signature colors of black and white, and surrounded by traditional symbols of chastity,
fortitude, and worldly power. The portrait makes evident the queen’s stature in the European
political world.
Italian Motets and Madrigals: Newberry Library (NL Case VM1578 .M91)
1527. Four hand-illuminated manuscript part books in a beautiful suite of bindings, given to
Henry VIII by the city of Florence. Opened to a song praising Henry. These music books
appear in the section of the exhibition that focuses on Elizabeth’s parentage. Both Henry and
Anne (Boleyn) were patrons of music, and Henry even wrote music that was played and sung
at court.
Malmesbury/Caird Cup: Private Collection
London, 1529. This goblet is an exceptional example of the kind of plate that would have
been used at Henry’s court. Previously exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum and the
National Maritime Museum, it is believed to be a unique surviving piece made in England
using German models.
Elizabeth’s Letter to Edward Seymour: British Library
21 February 1549. In this autograph letter, the fifteen-year-old Elizabeth protests her sexual
innocence in the face of rumors of indecency with the Lord Admiral, Thomas Seymour,
while living in her stepmother Katharine Parr’s household. She was accused of plotting to
marry him without the express permission of her brother, Edward VI. Her bold signature,
modeled on her father’s, foreshadows the famous “Elizabeth R” of later years.
Declaration of Jane Grey: British Library
10 July 1553. A dramatic episode in Elizabeth’s tumultuous early years is represented here
by a manuscript proclamation written by the tragic figure Jane Grey. She defends her reign
against the “feigned and untrue claim of the Lady Mary, Bastard daughter of our great uncle
Henry VIII of famous memory.” Shortly after this was written, Jane would be in the Tower
of London, the victim of her father-in-law’s (the Duke of Northumberland’s) attempt to seize
power through her. She would eventually be beheaded once Mary had taken the throne, along
with her husband, Guilford Dudley. He was the brother of Elizabeth’s longtime favorite,
Robert Dudley.
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Exhibit items—Newberry 2
Armorial Bearings of the Kings of Great Britain: Newberry Library (NL Case MS F0745
.1915)
1572, Robert Cooke. This beautifully hand-painted manuscript shows the coats of arms of all
the Kings and Queens of England, and the major nobles, since William the Conqueror. The
page with Elizabeth’s arms is especially spectacular and detailed, with several different arms
illustrating the claims the Crown of England maintained to various lands in France, Ireland,
and Wales.
Dutiful Defense of the Lawful Regiment of Women: Newberry Library (NL Case MS fJ5452
634)
1590. Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton. This manuscript represents an answer to the
controversies about women rulers during the 16th century. After John Knox published his
highly vituperative work against the “Monstrous Regiment of Women” at the opening of
Elizabeth’s reign, the debate swelled for decades. Howard’s own brother had been executed
for plotting with Mary Queen of Scots to dethrone Elizabeth. He was clearly a man who
knew he had to show some timely support of his Queen. His Defense manages to offer an
argument in favor of female rulership without ever endorsing full equality for women.
Sphaera Civitatis: Newberry Library (NL Case J0.148)
1588, John Case. This commentary on Aristotle’s Politics recommends the monarchy of a
perfect ruler as the highest form of government. The famous frontispiece depicts Queen
Elizabeth standing, God-like, above a diagram of a Ptolemaic universe, within which the
planets correspond to the esteemed qualities of a well-ordered state. Though Aristotle argued
that women could not rule, Case positioned Elizabeth as the capable guide of a harmonious
state.
Elizabeth’s second answer to Parliament that she marry: British Library
April 10, 1563, manuscript revised in her own hand. Elizabeth’s proclaimed virginity is as
famous as her many courtships. In the first decade of her reign, Parliament repeatedly urged
her to marry and produce an heir. Here she assures them that she does intend to marry or will
provide for the succession when the time is ripe.
The holie Bible. conteynyng the olde Testament and the newe: Newberry Library (NL Case
+C221 .568)
1568, [The “Bishops’ Bible”]. This early copy of the official English Bible of Elizabeth’s
reign has a beautiful frontispiece depicting the queen as an unmarried woman with her hair
flowing to her shoulders. At the same time, she wields the orb and scepter symbolizing her
rule, suggesting her place as both religious and secular leader of her people.
Letter to Robert Beale (Elizabeth’s secretary): Newberry Library (NL Case MS 5091)
1582. From Lord Nau (Mary Queen of Scots’ secretary). After Mary fled Scotland to escape
her incensed nobility, she lived under Elizabeth’s protection in various places in England.
While in England, Mary continually schemed to become Queen of England. Eventually
Mary’s son James became Elizabeth’s successor, but only after Mary had spent years
maneuvering and plotting to win a place for herself in the succession, either by diplomacy or
violence. This letter is but one in a long correspondence where Mary is trying to improve her
situation.
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Exhibit items—Newberry 3
Drawing of the Execution of Mary: British Library
1587, Robert Beale. Elizabeth’s conflicted and volatile relationship with her cousin Mary
ended in Mary’s finally being caught plotting the overthrow and death of Elizabeth. She was
eventually beheaded, after long debates between Elizabeth and her Parliament and council.
Elizabeth always contended that she was tricked into signing Mary’s death warrant. This
drawing of the event was done by an actual witness, the secretary to the Privy Council.
Atlas of England and Wales: Newberry Library (NL Case +G1045 .78)
1579, Christopher Saxton. Printed with hand-painted details, along with a beautiful
frontispiece of Elizabeth enthroned. Part of this exhibition’s representation of Elizabeth
focuses on England at the time of her reign. This beautiful book was commissioned by
leaders of Elizabeth’s government and is one of the earliest attempts to create a cartographic
portrait of an entire nation. It was not only a work of art and learning, but a useful reference
book for government officials.
Genealogical Map of England, Wales, and Ireland, with Elizabeth’s portrait: Private
Collection
1594, Anonymous, after Jodocus Hondius. This unique, hand-colored map combines a map
of England and Ireland based on Hondius, with a genealogical tree of Elizabeth and an
engraved portrait based on Isaac Oliver. The identification of Elizabeth with England and its
people was a vital aspect of the Queen’s self representation throughout her reign.
Rule of Reason Containing the Art of Logic: Newberry Library (NL Case B49 .976)
1551, Thomas Wilson. Elizabeth’s own copy, with her coat of arms emblazoned on the front.
Wilson’s work was the definitive manual of logic for lawyers in this period, when the rebirth
of classical learning was taking hold in England. The section in the exhibit on English
Humanism shows the variety of humanist activity throughout Elizabeth’s reign, including
political and social theory, music, poetry and drama.
Calligraphic Alphabet book: Newberry Library (NL Wing MS ZW545 .S431)
1592, John Scottowe. Also part of the humanist grouping in the exhibit, this item is opened to
the letter “Q,” where Scottowe celebrates Elizabeth as Queen of England, Ireland, and
France. This is a stunning, fancifully drawn book of letters by a master of his art, intended to
instruct his patron in both in proper handwriting and in proper morals.
New Yeere’s Guift: Newberry Library (NL Wing -MS ZW645 .K29)
1606, Esther Inglis. This hand-painted writing book was a gift to a genteel patroness of
Esther Inglis (a French name, later anglicized to “English”). Among her other notable patrons
were Elizabeth I and James I of England. This manuscript is among the earliest of English
calligraphy books by women, and contains specimens of 19 different scripts, masterfully and
beautifully executed.
Queen Mary Atlas: British Library
1558, Diego Homem. This atlas, produced for Elizabeth’s sister Mary and her husband King
Philip II of Spain, contains a beautiful map of the British Isles and Spain, with the arms of
England and Spain quartered at the top. Meant to emphasize the link between these two
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Exhibit items—Newberry 4
Queen Mary Atlas: British Library (continued)
countries owing to the marriage of their monarchs, today it conveys the opposite meaning, as
the arms of Spain have been scratched out, supposedly by Elizabeth herself. The atlas has
therefore become a fascinating emblem of the relations between these two countries during
the 16th century.
Packe of Spanish Lyes . . . worthy to be damned and burned: Newberry Library (NL Ayer
*150.3 .E7 P11 1588)
1588. Perhaps the seminal conflict of Elizabeth’s reign was the triumphant defeat of the
Spanish Armada by the “Protestant winds,” which aided the English fleet. In the aftermath of
that defeat, the Spanish were still claiming victory and circulating their early, encouraging
reports across Europe. This vivid answer to those claims blasts the Spanish propaganda point
by point and served to quell the fears of the English populace.
Discoverie of Guiana: Newberry Library (NL Case G985 .732)
1598, Sir Walter Raleigh. The publishers of this German translation of Raleigh’s travel
narrative have borrowed many grotesque and fantastic woodcuts from an earlier publication
to help sell the book. Images of Amazons roasting men over fires, bizarre animals, and “men
whose heads do grow beneath their shoulders,” were all included to appeal to an audience
eagerly awaiting stories of the New World’s riches and wonders.
Map of The famouse West Indian voyadge: Newberry Library (NL Ayer *133 .D7 .B66
1589)
1589, Baptista Boazio. This beautifully illustrated manuscript map plots the voyages of two
famous exploits of Elizabeth’s most famous explorer and privateer. To the Spanish, Drake
was a pirate who burned their cities and raided their ships, but to the English and Elizabeth,
he was a hero who was constantly winning Spanish gold for the English and irritating the
Spanish King Philip II.
Tilbury Speech: British Library
1588. This is the speech that roused Elizabeth’s troops against the coming Spanish invasion
fleet. It contains one of her most famous epigrams: “I may have the weak and feeble body of
a woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and a king of England too!” This
version was written by an observer in the crowd.
Funeral Procession of Elizabeth: British Library
1603, attributed to William Camden. This spectacular scroll provides a depiction of the entire
funeral procession for Elizabeth. It is a very detailed pen and ink drawing, over 40 feet long,
of Elizabeth’s entire funeral procession. Each figure is about eight inches high, with
costumes, names and titles carefully indicated for each of the notable people present.
Miniature of James I: Private Collection
Ca. 1610, Nicholas Hilliard. In impeccable condition, this beautifully rendered image of
James I will be exhibited with a letter to James from Elizabeth offering advice on wise
kingship. The miniature illustrates James’ transition to the throne and his adoption of the
characteristic styles and leading practitioners of Elizabethan visual culture.
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