Princess of the Week: HRH Princess Elizabeth Tudor of Englandt
(Sorry PotW is late this week, I had a meeting yesterday morning and wanted to make sure I had time to devote to writing a full post.)
This week’s Princess of the Week is Princess Elizabeth Tudor, who would eventually become Queen Elizabeth I of England. I would link to a portrait of her, but I’ve had relative trouble finding one from her Princess years.
Princess Elizabeth was well educated, and taught to speak five languages. As a girl she translated texts from French into English, including in 1544 at the age of 11 translating a French prayerbook. The translation itself is an accomplishment, but so is the fact that by that age she was educated enough to grasp the nuances of the language well enough to translate a religious text.
In addition to the host of academic subjects she was taught (including mathematics, theology, and history) she was an accomplished craftswoman and athlete. She learned needlework, dancing, hunting and archery as a young woman.
She was also responsible for the running of the estate of Hatfield, and while she received an allowance from the crown and had advisers to help her run it, the ultimate authority for this estate lay with her. She was responsible for maintaining good relations with the farmers and craftspeople who lived on the estate, and settling disputes between them.
She was also a supporter of the “reformed” Protestant religion, and even when Queen Mary, a staunch Catholic (and her elder sister) took the throne, she maintained the courage of her convictions and retained her religious practice. Though she was offered inducements to convert back to Catholicism, she believed that consistency and faith were more important than temporal rewards, providing an example and spiritual leadership for her people.
As well as all this, as a Princess, she had to navigate the strange political waters of the English Court during a time of great turmoil. Between the religious disputes and the uncertainty of England’s allies (first Spain, then France, then Spain again…) she was in a precarious position that required all of her wits and intellect. Domestic scandals were also never far from hand, including her step-father making inappropriate advances in what is now suspected to be a bid to get closer to the throne of England.
All in all Princess Elizabeth was well trained to be queen, but her overlooked accomplishments as a Princess stand in history as a guidepost for all young women. They demonstrate that grace and intellect are not opposing forces.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s Princess, and please remember if you have thoughts, comments, or suggestions for future subjects, you’re always welcome to leave them with me!
