Expert: Mark Smith - 6/16/2007

Question
Hi there,
I was just wondering if you know much about Queen Elizabeth 1's image? Why did she change her image to 'the virgin queen', and what were the benefits of this?
Thanks very much.

Answer
Hello Sam.
She became known as the Virgin Queen early on in her reign. She succeeded to the throne in 1558 at the age of 25 and less than three months later Parliament petitioned her to marry and produce an heir. She replied that she was content to remain a virgin, but if she did marry it would be to a man who "would be as careful for the preservation of the realm as she was herself". She never found any man suitable to that ideal. She knew that marriage to a foreign Prince would most likely put England under the authority of that foreign power once any child succeeded to the throne, if not before. And marriage to an English Lord was unsuitable for a reigning Queen.
It benefitted her in that she became regarded as the most devoted of Monarchs, wedded to England and not to any man. An image that continues today. No other Monarch is thought of as being so loyal and dedicated to the people of England as Elizabeth I.
Mark