New Light on Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I. The “Rainbow Portrait”, c. 1600, an allegorical representation of the Queen, become ageless in her old age (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Dr Glyn Redworth: ‘Elizabeth I: The Same Old Picture?’

7th October 2013

 

 

 

 

Several of the illustrations which accompanied Dr. Glyn Redworth’s lecture showed Elizabeth in majesty, the protector of the nation, the Rainbow Portrait of 1600 almost goddess-like in its authority. But he showed another of 1560 without the symbols of monarchy and with a very human air. His thought-provoking lecture challenged the popular version of the Queen and her Government as in control, dealing successfully with the crises of her reign and ensuring a peaceful succession at her death.

Dr. Redworth made the case for a new understanding of Elizabeth’s reign. As a controversial female monarch following the dynastic struggles of the previous century and at a time of great change, she was, from a young age, aware of the dangers of her position and the complexities concerning her possible marriage. She had to face various threats which surfaced during her long reign and the anxieties of her ministers about the succession.

An aspect which the lecture also addressed was the research about the relationship between government and people in this period, implying that government authority did not necessarily go unchallenged, that it could be ignored.  He explained how Patrick Collinson had described Elizabethan England as a “monarchical republic” where varying interests needed to be taken into account by government.

So, a picture of uncertainty and complexity rather than smooth progress towards a peaceful succession in 1603. Dr. Redworth gave a fascinating lecture, expertly delivered, and one in which he particularly kept in mind the Sixth Form students who attended, who would have much to think about as a result.

Bloody Mary – Killer Queen?

An audience of about 40 turned out to the branch’s final lecture of the season, which after two sudden changes of title was finally given by branch secretary, Jenni Hyde, on her current research into mid-Tudor ballads.  Focusing particularly on the reign of Mary I, Jenni tackled the issue of Queen Mary I‘s popular image as it was represented in contemporary ballads, concluding that Mary’s accession as England’s first queen regnant was popular with the majority of her subjects.  It was her failure to produce an heir which allowed her enemies to vilify her as ‘Bloody Mary’.

The lecture was followed by a chance for informal questions and refreshments, while the monthly bring and buy history book stall continues to help branch funds.

Related articles

• URGENT change to lecture – Mary I (boltonhistoricalassociation.wordpress.com)

URGENT change to lecture – Mary I

Queen Mary I (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In another change to the April lecture, it will now be given by branch secretary, Jenni Hyde.  ‘No Lion Wilde, a Lion Tame: Popular Depictions of Mary I‘ .   This paper has brought together the first complete collection of extant Marian ballads which refer to Queen Mary I.  Using this evidence, the illustrated lecture will examine Mary’s image as a Catholic monarch and the contrast of anti-catholic and anti-Hispanic feeling linked to her marriage to Philip of Spain.  There is no direct evidence to link these ballads to court propaganda, so the paper will contend that they are instead evidence of popular views of a female monarch. It will argue that there was a contemporary perception that ephemera such as ballads could influence the opinion of their audience, and compare the evidence provided by the songs to the received view that ‘Bloody Mary’ failed to harness the support of her subjects.
Jenni Hyde is a postgraduate research student at the University of Manchester, pursuing an interdisciplinary project on the English ballads of the mid-Tudor period as historical evidence, under the supervision of branch Vice-President, Dr Glyn Redworth. As a qualified music teacher who is training for her ABRSM Diploma as a soprano, the project combines her musical skills with her expertise in history. A Trustee of the Historical Association, Jenni is secretary of the Bolton branch and works mainly from home using digital archives including EEBO, ECCO, EBBA and Allegro.

Related articles

• English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA at UCSB) (earlymodernonlinebib.wordpress.com)