Real Women of Genius

Queen Elizabeth I of England

Dominating a male world

Real Women of Genius - Queen Elizabeth I of England

Queen Elizabeth I of England stands out amongst Real Women of Genius for the way she dominated what was a 16th century male political world. 

Her father, Henry VIII, had longed for a boy so her birth was an enormous disappointment to him.  When she was only two years’ old, her father sent her mother, Anne Boleyn, for execution on unconvincing charges of adultery.

Difficult start

Question

Your Majesty succeeded in remaining on the English throne for 45 years, from 1558 until 1603, which many would regard as an astonishing achievement in a period of male dominance.  But you had a difficult start in life?

Answer

Thank you.  As you know, when I was too young to understand, just two years of age, my mother was executed upon my father’s instructions and I was declared illegitimate.

My father then married Jane Seymour who bore him the son – my half-brother Edward - he so dearly desired, and Edward became heir to the throne in any event.

Question

You also had an older sister?

Answer

Mary, who despised me and again attempted to declare me illegitimate when she eventually succeeded to the throne.  Fortunately, neither of those pronouncements were subsequently upheld.

Real Women of Genius - education

Question

Given these difficulties in your early life, what happened about your upbringing and education?

Answer

The last of my father’s six wives, Katharine Parr (my stepmother) took it upon herself to care for my education and saw that I was properly tutored. 

At the completion of my formal education, I was one of the very best educated women of the time and had learned to speak French, Flemish, Italian and Spanish, and could also write English, Latin and Italian and understood Greek.

Question

How old were you when your father died?

Answer

I was nine.  My half-brother, who became Edward VI, succeeded to the throne at the age of ten.  There was at this time intense persecution of Catholics and The English  Prayer Book was introduced in 1549.

He was, however, never a well young man, developed tuberculosis and died at the age of 16.

Real Women of Genius – exclusion from the succession

Question

There was an attempt at this stage to exclude your sister, Mary, and yourself from the succession and declare Lady Jane Grey as Queen?

Answer

Yes, but my sister’s supporters prevailed upon the Privy Council to proclaim her the rightful heir, which they did, and in due course she had Jane executed and restored the Catholic faith.  During her time around 300 protestants were burned at the stake.

Question

But after only five years on the throne, she too died?

Answer

That is so, although during her reign I was locked in the Tower for two months and held under house arrest for a substantial time after that because of my protestant leanings.

Real Women of Genius – Queen at 25

Question

You were just 25 when you became queen?

Answer

That is correct, and my aim was to return the country to a period of tranquillity.

Real Women of Genius - suitors

Question

What of marriage, ma'am?  There were a number of European suitors, I understand.

Answer

What of it indeed!  My advisers were very keen on the idea.  Firstly, they couldn’t agree on a suitable husband and, in any event, I had no intention of being subordinated to a spouse who, by virtue of that position, became king.

I had always cherished a fancy for Robert Dudley who I had known since childhood, and there was a possibility of marriage after his wife died.  There were, however, those around me who made their opposition plain.

Later I gave him the title of Earl of Leicester and, later still, he remarried, although I was never fond of the woman.

Question

Parliament saw fit to comment upon your status as a single woman.  What was your response to that?

Answer

I can tell you precisely what it was:  I am already bound unto a husband which is the kingdom of England and that may suffice you. 

And reproach me so no more that I have no children for everyone of you and as many as are English are my children and my kinsfolk of whom so long as I  am not deprived and God shall preserve me you cannot charge me without offence to  be destitute.

Lastly, this may be sufficient both for my memory and the honour of my name.  If when I have expired my last breath this may be inscribed upon my tomb.  Here lies interred Elizabeth, a virgin pure unto her death.

Real Women of Genius – talented advisers

Question

It is said that you surrounded yourself with talented advisers during your reign?

Answer

That is undoubtedly correct.  My two close advisers were Robert Cecil, otherwise Lord Burleigh, and Sir Francis Walsingham.

Question

There were sensitive negotiations with your parliament at times, weren’t there?

Answer

None more so than when it reacted against what it saw as monopolies or grants under Royal Seal that permitted individuals to be the sole vendors and manufacturers of certain goods.

I decided on that occasion, as they seemed decidedly ruffled, that it would be better if I came personally to the House of Commons to assure them that I was as much opposed to monopolies as they themselves were. 

I declared that all monopolies were to be withdrawn and declared illegal, which won me much support.

Real Women of Genius – the lowest point

Question

What do you regard as the lowest point of your reign?

Answer

It was the death of my cousin, Mary Queen of Scots.  She clearly had the support of Catholics who rallied to her, and my advisers felt that she may have a greater claim to the throne than I had.

Real Women of Genius - Queen Elizabeth I of England

I did not entirely agree with that but accept that I could have been stronger.  Mary was incarcerated for 19 years before proof was brought to me that Mary was plotting my overthrow. 

With the greatest reluctance, I signed her death warrant and she was beheaded.  I was deeply saddened by the episode and wept greatly.

Real Women of Genius – Spanish Armada

Question

It was around that time, wasn’t it, that Philip II of Spain gathered his invasion force?

Answer

Yes, this Spanish Armada under the command of the Duke of Parma was nonetheless defeated and suffered huge losses.

Question

You died on 24 March 1603 at Richmond Palace.  Defeating the Spanish was probably the highlight of your reign.  You were known popularly as Gloriana, Good Queen Bess and the Virgin Queen, were a highly popular monarch, became the foremost protestant ruler in Europe and were an inspiration to your subjects?

Answer

That is gratifying to know.  There were great advances in many respects.  Important discoveries were made by Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh.  Men were inspired to do great things. 

During my reign we saw the birth of the dramatist, William Shakespeare in 1564, and the philosopher, Sir Francis Bacon in 1561.  After 45 years I believe my subjects were more prosperous and contented than when I ascended the throne.


Keep your eyes open for more Real Women of Genius as they are added to this site and look also at Real Men of Genius for further examples.

Read Modelling Genius and remember also to see where you can identify the talents of these people within yourself.  You will have them all.  You may just need to search a little:


Gain FREE access to my self-confidence video

To gain free access to my self-confidence video enter your email address and first name in the box below.  This will also keep you up-to-date with my free newsletter Inspirations.

As a bonus for subscribing you'll receive the first three chapters of my book Towards Success, where you can learn more about NLP techniques, from Anchors to Modelling, and my 50 favourite inspirational quotations.

Enter Your E-mail Address
Enter Your First Name (optional)
Then

Don't worry — your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you Inspirations.

Return from Real Women of Genius - Queen Elizabeth I of England - to

The Secret of Mindpower & NLP Home


Return to Site Search & Contents Page

The Secret of Mindpower & NLP 


New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.




Change your life in just 5 weeks

Discover the pathway to success with my online video course. Learn more

View Cart

Download NEW ebook Your Genius Within and find out how to  uncover your own inner genius

Towards

Real Women of Genius Articles:

Real Men of Genius Articles:

NLP Articles

Articles on HYPNOSIS:

Articles about THE SECRET of:

Articles about COACHING:

Articles on GENIUS and MIND POWERS:

Articles about MEMORY:

Articles about RELATIONSHIPS:

Articles on WEALTH:

Articles on WEIGHT LOSS:

Articles on SECRET and INSPIRATIONAL TEACHERS: