Expert: Joseph Logue - 6/20/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi there,
When did Queen Elizabeth 1 change her image the 'the Virgin Queen' (eg, white make up, cut her hair off), and what were her reasons for this? How did this benefit her?
Thanks a lot,
Samantha

ANSWER: Hello Samantha,

There is no specific date that the Queen began presenting an image of pure white virginity.  She did so chiefly out of vanity, I think, applying ever more cosmetics to give her an air of youth.  This aided her attempt to become an icon -- the very embodiment of England.  The benefits are chiefly in the love her people returned to her; they saw that after all the fitful attempts to be married that Elizabeth was devoted to England.  

I hope this helps, Samantha.  Thanks for visiting AllExperts.

Sincerely,

Joseph Logue

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your reply. I was also wondering, how did Queen Elizabeth I use clothing, hair, jewelery, etc and also items/symbols in portraits to portray her image? Sorry for the extra question, it's for an assignemnt, your answers are much appreciated.

Answer
Hello again Samantha,

That's alright -- glad to help out.  I was just this morning reading about Queen Elizabeth I and was struck by the conscious attempts by her to liken herself to the Virgin Mary.  (This is not my original observation; it has been noted by Elizabeth's biographers for centuries.)  Meaning that once her youth was gone, and after marriage stopped being an issue due to her advancing years and few prospective grooms, Elizabeth sought to enshrine herself in a way not seen since the mother of Jesus.  Notice that when the Virgin is depicted as the Queen of Heaven, she is enrobed in beautiful dresses and jewels, while paintings of her on earth show her in simple dresses, very peasant-y.  Similarly, Elizabeth in her younger years was dressed plainly or with jewels that did not stun the observer as in later years, but complemented her youthful beauty.

Notice also the red hair:  this is a sign of defiance, of power, of boldness and courage.  Her father, King Henry VIII, was remembered for his red hair and she may have been trying to bring back the vitality of the early Tudors.  The Tudors, remember, were masters of public relations:  the first, Henry VII, named his first son Arthur and had him christened at Winchester, hoping to recall in the English peoples' minds the legendary King Arthur.  (Unfortunately, Henry's son died before becoming king, paving the way for the succession of Henry VIII.)

The sumptuousness of Elizabeth's dress as she got older was not simply a vain attempt to maintain her youth, but an outward expression of England's growing power.  Whereas before she might wear a pearl necklace, she later would have ropes of them around her neck and dipping to below her waist.  Massive emeralds and rubies were stuck in her wigs, in her hats, and affixed to the bosom of her increasingly elaborate gowns.  The gowns themselves became richer, more heavily decorative, layered, and dazzling.

I hope this further discussion helps on your assignment.  Let me know how you did!

Sincerely,

Joseph Logue