History of ELIZABETH I'S PORTRAIT | What did Elizabeth I look like when she was young? Tudor History

One of my FAVOURITE PORTRAITS of Elizabeth I is the picture of her, aged about 12 or 13, wearing a red dress and decked out in pearls and jewels. I love it because of its vibrant colours, but also because it shows what Elizabeth I looked like when she was young and before she had retreated behind the mask of Gloriana. Princess Elizabeth Tudor would go on to have her image captured and replicated hundreds of times during her life, but rarely did she ever look as human as in this image. In this Tudors documentary from History Calling, I used art catalogues and the comments of those who have seen it over the centuries, to trace the history of Elizabeth I’s portrait, from the time it was created in about 1546 (possibly for her father, Henry VIII) to its descent into the hands of the Stuart royal family in the seventeenth century. By examining what happened to Charles I's art collection after his execution in 1649, we’ll also see what happened to Elizabeth I’s portrait in the mid seventeenth century and how it ended up in private hands, before making its way back into royal ownership after the Restoration of Charles II. We’ll look too at where it has ended up. We’ll think too about who painted Elizabeth I, in this, her earliest surviving solo portrait and one of very few images of Elizabeth I before she was Queen. The most popular contender is the artist William Scrots and this picture may have been designed to be one of a pair, along with a painting of her half-brother, Edward VI. You’ll also hear the future Queen Elizabeth’s own words when describing a painting of herself in her youth.
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Thumbnail: Elizabeth I when a Princess, c. 1546. Royal Collection Trust, 2022 (detail)
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[@HistoryCalling]

What’s your favourite picture of Elizabeth I? Let me know below and check out my PATREON site at www.patreon.com/historycalling for more History Calling perks.

[@charlottehardy822]

I love the rainbow portrait at Hatfield House, there is also a beautiful stained glass window in Melford Hall which I think dates from the 1800s which is worth seeing.

[@HistoryCalling]

I love the rainbow portrait too. I even have a picture of myself standing next to it which the room guide very kindly took for me the last time I was there.

[@katjack2780]

I've always found this portrait of Elizabeth to be a bit unsettling. To me, she seems to look, not serious, but guarded. She looks like she is being very careful of betraying anything about herself. I don't know if I'm just reading too much into the picture because I know her history, but it was my initial reaction when I first saw the portrait many years ago. I think it's interesting that she is dressed in red. I've read some reference to the effect that she seemed to have chosen three colors that she felt she looked best in -- red, white and black. This is backed up by looking at her later range of portraits. This portrait seems to be the first and last time that we're getting a glimpse of Elizabeth's true self. When you look at her eerie coronation portrait, she seems to have assumed her royal mask already. She may have inherited Henry's red hair and Anne's dark eyes, but I think she inherited the facial bone structure of her grandfather Henry Vii. If you check out his portraits but especially his bust and death mask, she has the same hooded eyes, hawk nose and high cheekbones. These features appear in her later portraits or other paintings that show her more in profile.

[@maggiesmith856]

I recently discovered my favorite portrait of Elizabeth on the website of the Irish National Portrait Gallery in Dublin. It's one of the Clopton type portraits showing her dressed in severe black clothing, around the time she became queen. It's also one of the few portraits that has the air of being an actual likeness. There is no provenance, except that the gallery bought it from a London art dealer around 1910, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that she actually posed for it. It shows what is clearly the woman the girl in the red dress grew up to be : the same high forehead, large dark eyes with a look of wary intelligence, high bridged nose, thin lips and pointed chin. It deserves to be better known.

[@jn8ive60]

@@katjack2780 I believe that Elizabeth also inherited fair skin from Henry along with the red hair, as Anne Boleyn was described as having an olive complexion. I have a niece who inherited her mother's brown eyes and facial features, and her father's red hair and fair skin, and I think Elizabeth was the same.

[@claire2088]

It's always interesting to hear about the young royalty in those ages- now the idea of a 13 year old making savvy political decisions about the image they want to portray is a court portrait is really alien- we barely trust 13 year olds to choose a sensible outfit when they go to town and Elizabeth was already navigating the dangerous waters of the Tudor court

[@HistoryCalling]

I know, right. They had to be so much more mature then. I wouldn't have lasted a week!

[@LenaFerrari]

@@HistoryCalling I'm 24, and I don't believe I would have lasted a week as the child of a Tudor monarch at my age lol. I'd probably get myself executed in a couple of days

[@dianetheisen8664]

@@LenaFerrari Me, too. Elizabeth learned quickly and grew up fast.

[@di3486]

People used to start adulting at about 13 in those days

[@Felsenkeks]

@@HistoryCalling but we look at it from our context. I think digital natives are a good example for what I mean. We have been growing up with IT all our lives and it is second nature to us, someone who has lived half a life without that will be completely baffled at the savvyness of a 13 year old navigating the vastness (that can often be dangerous too) of the web and won't be able to catch up to them without A LOT of dedication. Elizabeth has grown up in Tudor nobility all her life and being smart as she was, she could probably navigate political messaging through a portrait as naturally as a 13 year old nowadays can construct subtle meaning with a string of emojis. Our professor for restoration literature once said, when we were completely baffled by the many layers of hidden meaning in a letter and how people could have possibly caught all that, that the people at court would had highly evolved linguistic messaging that everyone was aware of, comparable to how we have highly evolved visual messaging in advertisement for example. We see a logo and know what brand it refers to and associate emotions with it, just like they did with phrases. I still think about that a lot, even though the period wasn't at all my focus.

[@lilenwasnothere6867]

i find it adorable how brother and sister's portraits were made from the same wood by the same artist. it's probably about as heartwarming as it gets for the tudors, but heartwarming nonetheless.

[@HistoryCalling]

Indeed, that probably is as gooey as they get :-) (Well, Henry VIII's love letters to Anne Boleyn were pretty gooey, but when you know how that story ended it's chilling rather than heart-warming).

[@lilenwasnothere6867]

@@HistoryCalling it still baffles me how henry could go from those letters to what he ended up doing to her.

[@lilenwasnothere6867]

@@HistoryCalling also, edward did write to mary telling her "i love you most", but that's more sad than anything, considering their future.

[@madisonbrown5766]

They’ve said she was extremely smart, that she had the brain of a computer programmer. She did translations throughout her life. It relaxed her. She’d translate from English to French then French back into English and all her languages she spoke and wrote which I think was 5 other including English. An amazingly smart if not genius woman.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, the double translations sound like an absolute nightmare to me, but she liked them.

[@carolinereynolds2032]

Take away radio, TV, the internet and other modern distractions, then add private tutors and we could all be more accomplished.

[@Goodiesfanful]

English was Elizabeth's native language, and she was taught French, Latin, Italian, Greek, some Welsh and (later in life) Spanish. From what I gather, she picked up bits and pieces of other languages as well, such as German.

[@direfranchement]

You have to take all that with a grain of salt. She was probably very intelligent, there is some hyperbole there.

[@jessjess23brooks89]

​@@direfranchementShe penned a book of prayers in English, Latin and French when she was only 9? I believe. It was a gift for her father to earn his favor, as she was constantly falling in and out of it. She was successful in that endeavor, he was very impressed 😂 She was not only incredibly politically savvy at a young age, but had a complete grasp of multiple languages before puberty. It takes a very special woman to accomplish the life that she led. She turned a country horrified by the thought of a female monarch to one that seemingly seems to prefer it.

[@leticiagarcia9025]

This is also my favorite picture of Elizabeth I. She doesn’t have her father’s facial features just his read hair. We may not have an official portrait of Anne Boleyn. Seeing this portrait of Elizabeth gives us a glimpse of her true appearance. Thank you and have a great weekend.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I was just saying to another commenter that I love this one because we get the see the real Elizabeth, before her Gloriana days and I'm sure we are seeing a little bit of Anne too.

[@maggiesmith856]

Actually Elizabeth had Henry's eyebrows, nose and mouth, as well as his colouring. From Anne Boleyn she inherited the long, oval, high cheekboned face, the pointed chin, and the large dark eyes.

[@dianetheisen8664]

She also got Henry's temper.

[@lukeallcock2]

I have always loved this portrait of Elizabeth. The dress is beautiful, you can almost feel the fabric. It also shows (as you say) what she would have actually looked like as the artist wasn't painting it to flatter Elizabeth but was painting it for her father. You can see both her parents in her. Her red hair from Henry and her eyes from Anne (they do look like most of the copies of Anne's portraits we have). It is fascinating to hear the history of this portrait. Thank you once again History Calling.

[@HistoryCalling]

You're welcome. I had a fun time researching this one, especially as art history is something a little bit different for me.

[@MrMagi95]

Love the video, at Hamptom Court I learned the “black stones” are diamonds! Thee color has changed over hundreds of years!

[@DesertSkies120]

The black stones on the French hood are possibly diamonds. Because diamonds are essentially clear and their underside would be in shadow, they were commonly portrayed in the Tudor period as black. Diamonds were often left largely natural as well, because of their inherent hardness (10 on the Mohs scale) and difficulty in cutting them. If they we cut, it was usually only a splitting of a single octahedron across the widest point. Thus they often appear to be little pyramids, reflecting the natural shape of one half the raw crystal. When the cut stones were set with the square flat side facing up, they were called "table diamonds."

[@merryweatherflowers]

The recreation of the gown by becoming elizabeth is beautiful

[@HistoryCalling]

I literally just saw that the other day and it is indeed amazing :-)

[@SeGG8791]

When I was 12 I tried to draw my own rendition of this painting as part of a book report I did about the Queen. It wasn't as good and I'm sure she'd have hated it lol. Thank you for teaching more about it and allowing me to better appreciate it.

[@HistoryCalling]

I remember trying to trace it out of a book too as a kid! Don't worry. My attempt was awful as well. Thankfully the royals were able to afford better artists than us :-)

[@naomiskilling1093]

I remember having to do something similar but with one of Elizabeth's Gloriana portraits. I think none of us were pretty capable artists at that age but it is kinda funny how our teachers had similar ideas for how to get us to appreciate Tudor art.

[@Jason.cbr1000rr]

She definitely may not had liked it but would also have your head off for it too 🤣 its just what they did back then

[@kimidoodles]

I do love this portrait of her, that dress is totally stunning.

[@HistoryCalling]

I know, it's wonderful isn't it? Such a vivid colour. The girl knew how to make a statement! :-)

[@dianetheisen8664]

@@HistoryCalling And in her later years, too‼️

[@agatha6999]

Oooo I'm happy to see a fellow fan of Elizabeth I's portait as a teenager. It's so fascinating to me considering how awful her childhood was that we have such a excellent portrait of her as a girl

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I love this picture. I saw it in Windsor Castle a few months ago and just stood and had a good stare :-)

[@dianetheisen8664]

@@HistoryCalling Lucky you❗

[@limolnar]

What we see as black gemstones today were generally not that in the 16th century. Silver leaf was applied under a clear varnish to give the appearance of illumination for clear stones and pearls (with white for the top), or silver was powdered and put directly into the varnish. Either way the silver tarnished into black over time and that's why they look black to us now. That means when you see a black stone it's usually representative of diamonds or pearls.

[@sdl1ishappy]

Necklace aside, Elizabeth in this portrait does resemble the Anne in the B portrait and that is delightful. This is my favorite picture of Elizabeth because, as you say, it is not one of a queen done for political purposes. It may be political, but it's still authentic, or it at least feels moreso than others.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, there does seem to be a bit of Anne around the eyes. It's nice to think we're seeing a bit of her mother here too. I wonder if she ever sat in front of her mirror and tried to pick out which bits of her features she thought came from Anne???

[@dianetheisen8664]

@@HistoryCalling Of course you know that Henry VIII forbade mention of Anne but you have to wonder if Elizabeth asked about her mother ❓

[@jennyp4934]

@@dianetheisen8664 I think she would have asked about her mother, I think any child would be curious about their mother. But Elisabeth would have been smart enough to know who to ask and how to ask.

[@ladymeghenderson9337]

It's my favourite as well, because she seems to have a look of her mother about her, in the shape of her face and eyes

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I like this one because it really shows her, not a mask she put on in later years.

[@Goodiesfanful]

This is my favourite portrait of Elizabeth I.

[@ffvvaacc]

I love this painting of Elizabeth. Love it! To me she looks to be about 13 or 14. Such a beautiful and intelligent girl. ❤️

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, she was super clever. I wouldn't have wanted to be competing in any school tests with her :-)

[@keiththorpe9571]

I once heard it asked: "Why don't people smile in old portraits?" Could you hold a smile for two to three 8-hour portrait sittings? I don't think so...

[@HistoryCalling]

Oh dear, that did make me smile (ironically). There was also the issue that a lot of them had really bad teeth. 😬

[@keiththorpe9571]

@@HistoryCalling Yeah, no NHS, and all that sugar...

[@HistoryCalling]

Exactly. I don't enjoy going to the dentist, but I still thank my lucky stars that I can.

[@dianetheisen8664]

@@HistoryCalling LOL

[@marijeangalloway1560]

If the portrait was painted between May and July 1546, Elizabeth was not yet even officially a teenager, but was still only 12 years old! Such poise and gravitas for such a very young lady! I am sure her father

[@HistoryCalling]

It's possible Edward's was completed first, then Elizabeth's a little bit later in the year, but you're correct that we don't know exactly, so yes, she might well have still been 12.

[@rickjensen2717]

It's great to see portraits representing what they actually looked like, rather the the later official images that were commissioned ('painting by numbers' as you say). One wonders how many other such portraits didn't survive.

[@HistoryCalling]

I know. I think the one she's talking to Edward about is a different one, so I'm sad we don't have that. :-(

[@LisaD926]

I have always loved this picture, but my favorite is her coronation picture. This dress (or what was supposed to be) was featured in the latest episode of "Becoming Elizabeth" that was on this weekend, so this was very timely!

[@HistoryCalling]

I love the coronation portrait too, but this one takes the biscuit for me as it's an original and we know that (sadly) the coronation portrait is a copy of a lost original.

[@annmoore6678]

This was a lovely oresentation. I appreciated the careful analysis of the painting, which was done in an era when iconography was extremely important and every jewel, every article in the setting, every detail held significance. I think one of the things that fascinates us in Tudor history was the fragility of royal destinies, when every moment of glory and recognition, whether for a new royal bride or a promising royal heir, lasted only a short time before tragedy ensued. This young girl alone was destined to enjoy a long and prosperous reign, although none could foresee that when she entered her teens. Thank you for this delightful interlude.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, you're so right about royal fragility. Just look at the ostentatious christening given to Henry and Catherine of Aragon's son in January 1511 and he was dead 7 weeks later. Then you have that baby's much younger half-sister, Elizabeth, who was a disappointment at her birth but who went on to become arguably the most famous monarch in English/British history.

[@pablovivant9089]

Thanks for the detailed info on what's probably my favorite portrait of all time. Being fascinated by the Tudors as a child, I imagined this was an almost photographic image of the young Elizabeth, and that other portraits from the period could also be taken quite literally. How amazing that it has survived and been well cared-for enough to give us such an intimate glimpse of one of history's most remarkable rulers! Again, thanks.

[@CassiBlack]

Before watching your videos, I had never seen this portrait before. I think it might be my favorite of her. It feels like we’re looking at a real person and not a symbol of what she was “meant to be.”

[@HistoryCalling]

It's lovely to look at in real life. If you ever get the chance to go to Windsor Castle, I recommend checking it out.

[@taylorxnoel]

Can I just say.... I have been obsessed with History for most of my life, but watching your videos I have learned SO much about small significant details. The Tudors are my newest infatuation in history :P Thanks for all these amazing videos, I'm slowly making my way through them all. xo

[@kristenrock7783]

My absolute favorite portrait of her. I just love her gown, it's slightly off of her shoulders, lover her ring's, (same for me) I wear a lot of rings on my fingers. It's so simple yet so regal at the same time.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, she had some really good bling :-)

[@VeneficusPlantaGenista]

It’s interesting that in his book, David Starkey said to not read into the bedroom motif of the painting. In a documentary about Elizabeth, which Starkey hosted and narrated, he actually said the exact opposite, that we the viewer might see the presence of Elizabeth’s bed as a reference, “even at her tender age,” to her later “passionate” nature. I’m certainly more inclined to agree with book Starkey than documentary Starkey, though

[@HistoryCalling]

Me too. I have that book sitting next to me as I type this in fact :-)

[@Moebian73]

Yea I'd say that is my favorite Queen E 1 painting. I like that cross on her dress, on her chest. (Forgive me for describing what I like about her outfit in a non-fashionista sorta way, fashion isn't one of my interests, but I do find outfits back in those days fascinating.) :) I like how the sleeves on her arms are...you know what, I'll just say this is my fav picture of her & watch the video. lol Have a good weekend. :)

[@HistoryCalling]

Not to worry, I know exactly what you mean (and I'll bet that cross cost a pretty penny!)

[@womobewo]

Beautiful painting

[@Diariel]

Amazing vid

[@HistoryCalling]

I know. Let's be grateful that Oliver Cromwell wanted to get some money out of it and didn't just burn it.

[@Highland804]

​@@HistoryCalling Cromwell put a cannon scar 5 feet deep in one of the walls of my ancestral home, Borthwick Castle in Scotland. It's there to this day.

[@Sassenach4life]

Oh wow I didn’t know there were copies of photos of Elizabeth l and that this was painted from life! Now I will appreciate it even more than I already do! It is such a striking image of her! Thank you for sharing this with us!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Kimberly :-)

[@HaggisIsGross]

Thank you so much for this video! Although there is so much to admire about this portrait, it is the wary but resolute expression on her face that leaps out to me every time. It’s almost as if she can see the troubled times ahead and is girding herself mentally; the firmly held mouth letting the books speak for her.

[@stephanieking4444]

This video made me very happy in current difficult times. Elizabeth's image is my specialism, I always love hearing a good historian's comments about one of her portraits.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you. I'm not an art historian of course, so I'm sure a specialist could tell you even more, but it was fun to divert into art history a little bit this week and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@vikkigary8597]

I have to admit my guilty pleasure is anything Tudor. So it's always a treat when you do videos on that time. Love this one!

[@HistoryCalling]

I love them too. As I've done 4 weeks in a row on them, I'm having a little break from them for a few weeks now, but they'll be back soon.

[@ns-wz1mx]

by far my favorite portrait of Elizabeth!

[@HistoryCalling]

Same here I think.

[@tftlred5454]

Ithink this picture of Elizabeth is beautiful! Really enjoyed listening to all the facts in this video , THANKU 🦋

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you. I loved learning about it more while I was putting the video together too.

[@tftlred5454]

I. An imagine u learn so much compiling all he info to make a video , I really enjoy all of the ones I have watched , THANKU for sharing 🦋

[@jerrydempsey3490]

It's amazing that so much has survived from so long ago. Your videos are always interesting and fun. Thank you.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Jerry. Yes, I can never wrap my head around how old something like the Tower of London is for instance, never mind the pyramids.

[@jldisme]

Thank you for the video! I think that my favorite portrait of Elizabeth is the one that was recently discovered. I particularly enjoyed the letter from Elizabeth to her brother.

[@HistoryCalling]

Ah yes, I know the one you mean (from early in her reign). It's lovely too. Yes, it's nice to see how those two siblings got along together. It's such a convoluted way to write to your little brother though (by modern standards at least). All those metaphors!

[@veronikav3126]

What a great Friday night treat! 😊 Thank you for this most interesting video of a beautiful portrait of a remarkable queen!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Veronika. I love this one too :-)

[@pepsiyummie1]

You are so talented at narrating these videos. Thank you for your hard work.

[@freedomspromise8519]

Being born and raised in The U.S.A, I find all this U.K History extremely fascinating. My best friend has always been into U.K History, so I knew a little. We are planning a trip to The U.K. Hoping to visit as many historical sites as possible…if I manage to keep her out of the pubs.

[@nickyphoenix2470]

I hope you have a lovely time here in the UK and you must try some of the very old pubs in the historic places that you visit even only for a coffee and a bite to eat.

[@HistoryCalling]

Oh yes, definitely come to London. There's so much to see and do (though places like Canterbury and York are gorgeous too). I agree with Nicky as well. Pubs often do great food (both lunches and dinners).

[@dianetheisen8664]

Oooh...I'm so jealous❗ I'd love ❤to go on 1️⃣ of those walking 👣tours (or any tour really) about Anne Boleyn, my favorite Tudor. My nephew and his wife just recently visited the UK 🇬🇧 but didn't take me -- how rude‼️

[@annieelisas98]

Ahh I’m glad your coming over to England! Definitely visit Oxford as well, we have a few free history museums like the Ashmoleon! And the Cotswolds (a part of the country) has a lot of lovely villages with older cottages and beautiful scenic views of the countryside! Search up National trust uk there are a range of historical houses ranging from tudor houses to regency period and Victorian that you can visit, but you’ll have to pay for a ticket! Greys court is one of the tudor houses which Elizabeth 1 visited a lot.

[@Jollyjilly58]

Thank you so much very interesting. I love this picture of Elizabeth as she looks so young and fresh

[@HistoryCalling]

You're welcome and I'm of the same mind about the painting.

[@Nyssieelise]

I love sharing my lineage with Elizabeth and my birthday, my position and many expectations of others and of myself… she inspires me

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, she is a good, inspirational historical figure in many ways. She wasn't perfect of course (vain and bad tempered, especially later in life), but she was very good for her time.

[@yoclark2723]

That painting is one of my favorites of Elizabeth. If the portrait was a part of a set, was there a third painting of Mary? It seems to me, if there were paintings given to Henry VIII, he would include all his children.

[@dianetheisen8664]

Right❓

[@HistoryCalling]

Good question. You would indeed expect that, though I've never seen or heard of one. Perhaps Henry felt he already had enough solo portraits of Mary?

[@PureMagic101]

I think of this portrait ALL the time I was so pumped when I got the notification for this video! Thanks for such great content!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Taylor. I love it too. It's one of the few where I think we get to see the real Elizabeth.

[@GottaBeThere2736]

Oh, wonderful. Well done!

[@paddypaddy7276]

Please do more videos like this!!! I loved this painting (well all Tudor portraits) since I was very young. It was exciting to see it in person when I finally went to Windsor castle four years ago.

[@HistoryCalling]

If this one does well enough, I'm certainly happy to look at others in future videos.

[@wcfheadshots240]

Of ALL the history videos I watch, yours are my absolute favorites. You are so honest compared to many others. Thank you for being true to history!!!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you so much. I try my best (though I do make the odd error of course).

[@onagaali2024]

One of my favorite pictures of Elizabeth I.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, she was a stunner :-)

[@onagaali2024]

@@HistoryCalling It be awesome if it was a way that dress could have been saved and in a London museum today. That dress was probably lost by Charles I time.

[@nancyM1313]

This is my favorite portrait of Elizabeth. ❤

[@kerrylehto5980]

I'm a new and very happy subscriber, quickly devouring all of your previous videos. I live in Las Vegas but have visited the UK numerous times, and it is so much fun to see the buildings, places, tombs etc in your videos that I have been very fortunate to see myself. I am learning so many new things because of you, and I thank you for this! Have a wonderful weekend.

[@HistoryCalling]

Hi Kerry and welcome to the channel. Greetings in Las Vegas! I'm so glad you like the videos and are checking out some of the older ones too.

[@Michael_Scott_Howard]

Well done video on the painting.... amazing it still exists today.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I'm so glad it's not amongst the many things Cromwell destroyed.

[@stephencarrillo5905]

Loved this video, HC. 👏👏As my lady love had a few extra days off this week, we had time for errands together and I was a bit late getting to it. Viewing the details of the portrait helped bring Elizabeth to life for me; I was transfixed by her eyes and long fingers. I wondered what thoughts were swimming behind those eyes when she sat for the portrait. Also, love reading the comments from other viewers, as many of them are more informed than I. You definitely have a community of followers. Until next week, be well. 🙏🏼

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Stephen. Yes, I like to think those are Anne Boleyn's eyes looking out at us. I always find the commenters come up with some great insights and ideas too (yourself included of course).

[@ErinH-430]

The thing I’ve found interesting about the B necklace is yes, it’s in a portrait. However, at the time it became iconic for Anne Boleyn, the American version of the Other Boleyn Girl came out and the Tudors was in its second season. Additionally, initials were a big thing for decor. People had them embroidered on their bags, babies’ rooms had them, and it was a thing for weddings.

[@naomiskilling1093]

Quick question: Did Charles II have to buy back the art that had been in the royal collection and was subsequently sold on by Oliver Cromwell or did he just say "that's mine I want it back" using an inventory from before his father's execution? I was just curious as to how that worked. I mean, he is the king but at the same time I think going around demanding goods back that were (at the time anyways) legally sold might not be a good look when your father was beheaded for being a supposed tyrant.

[@HistoryCalling]

Excellent question and not something I know the answer to off the top of my head. At a guess, i would say some items were repurchased, others were gifted back to the crown to get in the King's good graces and some sadly never returned.

[@edithengel2284]

There is a fascinating book on this subject "The Sale of the Late King's Goods" by Jerry Brotton. Some of the art had already passed out of the country when Charles II came to the throne, but many people were all too eager to curry favor with the king by returning their art voluntarily. People who had supported Cromwell and who had bought art were very anxious to relieve themselves of it lest they be at risk. Brotton says, "The reactions of those dozens...who owned pictures, statues and tapestries ranged from tiff loyal and confused to the fearful and indignant."

[@wendywilliams4042]

New subscriber! This is the best channel on utube! I have been looking for this information for a while!❤

[@kerryrwalton7791]

Wonderful video! You suggested that the painting of Edward VI and Elizabeth were perhaps painted by the same artist and meant to be a pair. I would like to suggest another commonality. The curtains Edward stands against and Elizabeth's inner sleeves and dress below the book she holds share the same pattern and texture even if the colors differ.

[@HistoryCalling]

Great point! I've just gone back to look at Edward again and you're right. The textures and pattern are very similar looking.

[@kaycosette]

I’ve always wanted to commission this gown to wear… I love it so much

[@nancyevans3590]

That picture and her Coronation picture are my favorites. I’ve read that after she had smallpox at age 33 subsequent portraits were not very like due to the fact that smallpox causes a lot of scars and she didn’t want that shown in her portraits.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I think the smallpox will have caused noticeable scarring too. Of course there was always that awful lead make-up to cover it up ...

[@anna4040]

Hey! Sorry I’m late but I love this video! You explained everything perfectly and made this topic really interesting. Keep up the good work x

[@elisabethhopson5639]

Thank goodness this painting was saved and survives. It is a stunning picture and reveals quite a bit about Elizabeth. Her face shows no emotion, no smiles and no frowns, just a steady gaze at the painter. She looks quite stiff and a bit formidable even at 13 years old. The dress and jewelry are a massive statement of intent - cross me if you dare! It is so evident that she was already "queen material" at this age. She was using her dress and jewelry to portray her strength just as she did when she was queen. The triple pearl combos echo that worn by her mother, Anne Boleyn, so she is showing her allegiance to her dead mother to her father Henry 8th, the intended recipient. I wonder if she was sending him a reminder of what he did! Having 2 parts of the Bible with her is almost an insurance policy against future claims regarding her piety - so clever. Red is for royalty and my goodness this picture just exudes regal superiority, it takes your breath away. Bravo Elizabeth, terrible days are ahead during Mary's reign, but you get the message loud and clear that she will not only survive, but will win too. What a woman.

[@dianetheisen8664]

OMG very well said ‼️

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, it's a fantastic portrait, with lots of layers to debate.

[@ns-wz1mx]

this portrait is fascinating, can’t wait to hear the account. also been loving the extras on patreon!🙌🏻

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you so much. I am in fact just sitting writing up a patron-only post for next month at the moment :-)

[@ns-wz1mx]

@@HistoryCalling omg can’t wait!!

[@dianetheisen8664]

Fascinating video 📹 as is all of your videos 📹. I like this portrait too because it's before the wigs and lead paint.

[@HistoryCalling]

Me too. I love seeing the real person and this is probably one of the few images where we do.

[@anne-marie2972]

I agree.

[@whatsanenigma]

Love this video! I am really surprised to hear that she had so much control over her own portrait. I would have thought the king who commissioned it would have dictated every detail. So glad that wasn't the case.

[@LauraWichman]

LOVE this video!!! ❤️ as always, amazing work.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Laura. I enjoyed researching it too as it wasn't about death and misery (which is what seems to be most popular with my audience)! 😆

[@dianetheisen8664]

@@HistoryCalling Unfortunately death and misery seemed to be a big part of the Tudor era. So I, too, appreciate this video 📹 of à Princess/Lady. Thank you.

[@donnicholas7552]

Beautiful painting! Interesting to know the history behind it. 👍

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, it's had an interesting journey in and out of royal hands. I'm glad it's back with them now though.

[@Bus_Driver_Jay]

Hi Dr Ms History! 😁 Great vid as always! I cannot believe I've never seen this portrait. I've somehow only ever seen that one of her as a grown woman. Guiltily I must admit that when I envision her, I see Miranda Richardson from the Blackadder rendition. This portrait feels somehow more human. The glint to her eyes. The casual way she holds the book as if she's lowered it to have a picture taken. It screams teenager. It'd never be known but I feel from this that she was slow to smile but it was worth it when she did, but with her childhood, I'd suspect I'd not be a smily fellow either. With Edwards portrait it always astounds me how we can tell even the month it was sketched.

[@dianetheisen8664]

I agree

[@HistoryCalling]

I love Miranda Richardson's take on her for Blackadder too. Hilarious! :-)

[@Bus_Driver_Jay]

@@HistoryCalling She truly is an amazing actress. The whole cast were. My mum raised me on that show, which probably explains why portraits of the historical figures actual appearances throw me. Haha

[@serenawilliams6138]

This is a wonderful portrait and it’s a pleasure to hear your descriptions. Your eye for detail and candid explanations bring everything to life and hearing it’s provenance is equally fascinating. Thank you for another informative piece.

[@fran2177]

If the book that Elizabeth the I is holding was described as blue, im sure the artist used the same paint throughout the portrait and that would mean everything in the portrait that is black was most likely blue, so the gems in her headpiece were probably Sapphire and not a black stone. After all, the gown has gold threads in it, so only beautiful sparkling real gems had to be used and just imagine how that red material with threads of gold shimmered in sun and candlelight ♥️

[@HistoryCalling]

Ahh, an interesting theory. I wonder if the portrait has ever been (or needs to be) professionally cleaned and if that would alter our perception of the colours.

[@fran2177]

@@HistoryCalling i can just imagine how awesome it would be! It probably does need a cleaning 🧼

[@sarahwatts7152]

What a change that would be!

[@dianetheisen8664]

Breathtaking‼️

[@Meine.Postma]

You're such a good story teller

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you so much. I aim to please :-)

[@ardiffley-zipkin9539]

Another fine presentation, well researched. Thank you

[@douglaspkeatingjr3232]

I thoroughly enjoy your channel! Your voice and cadence is just… wonderful to listen to.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Douglas. I always smile when people say that to me, as I don't get told that in 'real' life (well actually my friends say I have a 'KZbin voice', which is apparently a bit different to my regular conversation voice).

[@margo3367]

Beautiful portrait.

[@chastityalewel3203]

I just developed an overwhelming interest in the Tudors. I'm not finding what happened to thomas.tallis , and also I'm looking for a better documentary on Thomas.Cromwell. I love your videos and I'm going to watch them all. Any additional Tudor characters with their history would be great.thank you.

[@HistoryCalling]

I haven't done Tallis or Cromwell myself, but possibly there are videos on them on the Reading the Past or Anne Boleyn Files channels (which are both very good in my opinion)?

[@TheMawalli128]

I’m such a huge fan! Keep up the great job

[@colsartech9261]

Very very interesting narration.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks for listening :-)

[@jamesmackey2120]

Great to be learning again.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks James :-)

[@HeidiSholl]

I know a lot of people are saying she looks like Anne here, but I'm not sure I see it. The portrait of Edward that's shown here looks astonishingly similar to Elizabeth. Facially, they are almost identical. And they definitely had different mothers, so I imagine they both took after their dad!

[@HistoryCalling]

It's mainly the dark eyes that I think come from Anne. Certainly her colouring was from her father, as Anne was a brunette with an olive complexion.

[@johngrenfell2561]

Love learning about the past

[@Sonic-dogmagic]

By the standards of beauty during the teenage Elizabeth's day, I think if not beautiful, she was very pretty. There wasn't mascara or eye makeup in those days that I know of and barely there brows and eyelashes were popular. I have heard from descriptions that she had light red hair and a swarthy complexion which could have been a light olive complexion. There are redheads today that have that combination and it's very becoming. With her very dark brown/black eyes, she must have had a very expressive look. Ann Bolyn was described with that complexion and eyes. I think after having smallpox, which gave her skin scars, she started wearing ivory white foundation which unfortunately contained one harsh ingredient, lead.

[@vernon2542]

Great video thank you for your hard work.

[@HistoryCalling]

No problem. Thank you for watching :-)

[@nathanfisher1826]

Great job

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Nathan :-)

[@graphiquejack]

One small point. The ‘black’ gems are actually diamonds. For some odd reason, diamonds were always painted black during this period, rather than attempting to paint their translucent and reflective qualities. Perhaps it had something to do with how diamonds used to be cut, which was less about brilliance and more about preserving the carat weight of the gemstone

[@daynawithawhy]

Please please please do a video on the Serpent Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I. Many have speculated that the ghost portrait underneath is Queen Anne Boleyn

[@angelagendreau3586]

Well done video. I find Tudor fashion beautiful ( though yes, it probably would have been hot and/or uncomfortable at times), This painting is my favorite.

[@dianetheisen8664]

I agree. But I would like to add, that if the fashion today was hoods, I'd go for the French hood that Elizabeth's mother, Anne Boleyn, and, Elizabeth herself, favored.

[@HistoryCalling]

I think it looks lovely too, if impractical for moving around in :-)

[@millybell5858]

A fantastic and excellently researched video as always! I was wondering if you could do a video on whether or not Elizabeth was actually the virgin she is known to be as it's a subject that I've been reading a lot about lately and find very interesting

[@PrincessZayla]

4:32 The black gemstones could be diamonds. Because they used to be set in a closed setting, instead of the open settings we use now, diamonds appeared darker

[@HistoryCalling]

Quite possibly, yes, depending on the backing, cut and setting as you say.

[@janicem9225]

The decorated bedroom you showed was actually from Chinon Castle, and the royal arms shown were those of Henry II of England. There were actually references to special paintings Elizabeth and Edward had sent their father as gifts, not long before he died, so I wonder if the painting of Elizabeth and the painting of Edward could be those written about in letters. The dates and ages of both Elizabeth and Edward fit the age and timeframe of both portraits.

[@HistoryCalling]

Hmm, do you mean the footage of the bedchamber? I filmed that myself in the Tower of London a few months ago.

[@annemurray3913]

thanks, great show

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Anne :-)

[@od1452]

LOl.. In my imagination I can almost see a Capital B in that pendant . I don't know but would think her and her brother's portraits would be the same size originally. Yes it is strange how many paintings have been cut down or added to. Thanks.

[@HistoryCalling]

I know. Why not just leave them as they were meant to be? It's worst when they cut them down I think. At least additions can be removed again.

[@LariLesque]

The black stones in this portrait would be diamonds. The fashion was to set them in foil. It was only later that the sparkle became more important.

[@elainekilgore1352]

Elizabeth could be wearing the pearls from the B necklace. Restringing, resetting, and redesigning was frequently employed and still is. Just as an aside, it probably wouldn’t have been prudent for her to provide reminders of her mother at court or to the population at large.

[@HistoryCalling]

It's definitely not impossible, just impossible to prove sadly :-(

[@elainekilgore1352]

@@HistoryCalling , very true.

[@angr3819]

Thank you

[@OldSarge]

Thanks!

[@HistoryCalling]

THANK YOU so much for your kind donation to the channel. I hope you enjoyed hearing about Elizabeth's portrait. :-)

[@midnightchannel111]

Ten or fifteen years ago I heard an historian say that the most meager courtier's costume, ie, the minimum that the most lowly courtier could wear, cost them the equivalent of $50,000 in todays money. Think of the cost of Elizabeth's gown... Same for the expense, so importance, of art in general (and I lump tissue etc. In this category). The tapestries that Henry had made for Anne Bolyn as a wedding present, which hung in their dining room and can still be seen, I believe, cost Henry the equivalent of a new battleship at the time.

[@HistoryCalling]

Do you mean the tapestries now at Hampton Court? They are amazing and I agree too about the insane cost of appearing at court. It was eye-watering.

[@beastieber5028]

Good evening to history calling

[@HistoryCalling]

Hi Bea! Enjoy hearing about Elizabeth :-)

[@pleasedroses3811]

I can't remember the name of the film, but it took place at this time and it was about Nostradamus the prophet meeting a royal family. I was unnerved by how mature and adult like the child royals were. I don't think that kids were allowed to be innocent back then. In fact, I thought that Elizabeth was in her late teens in this portrait!

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

THanks.

[@WhyX11]

Great content :)

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Jens :-)

[@ovrtrubledwtr1]

Did you see them replicate this dress on Becoming Elizabeth recently?? I personally thought it was really accurate based on this painting!!