The Hidden Meanings in the Portraits of Queen Elizabeth I

Discover the hidden messages and symbolism in the famous portraits of Elizabeth I - the powerful Tudor queen.
Elizabeth I is one of the most iconic figures from British history - her image can be recognised in an instant. But this was no mistake, for Elizabeth’s portraits were an audacious act of spin to cement her image of female majesty. In this documentary, Dr Nicola Tallis and Prof Anna Whitelock take a close look at the progression of these portraits in light of surrounding political turmoil. By exploring the portraits in forensic detail, they decode a puzzle of bizarre symbolism and hidden meaning, and shine a surprising light on the Elizabethan era. Why did objects such as moons, pelicans, globes and roses carry so much meaning? How did Elizabeth forge and utilise her apparent virginity to strengthen her position? How, in short, did Elizabeth I become an icon?
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#historyhit #tudor #elizabethi

[@raeperonneau4941]

No better proof of her success than people still discussing her 420 years later. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@katego370]

not at all. Some of the most famous people in history are famous for the wrong reasons. Her father, Henry VIII, has probably been the topic of discussion more than Elizabeth, but that's because he liked to chop off his wives' heads, and others'.

[@yensid4294]

The attention to detail of the opulant clothing & jewels contrasts so strikingly with how little detail was applied to her face & hands in many of these portraits (with the exception of Holbein's) She was quite stunning in a stark way with her porcelein skin, aqualine nose & sharper bone structure. I wonder if the depiction of smoothe, white face & hands was chosen due to the smallpox leaving its mark on her? Losing her teeth would have also affected the appearance of the lower facial structure, particularly the jaw & mouth. She certainly wasn't the first monarch to use a stylized or idealized image of herself as propaganda. She was a sharp cookie & must have been a tremendously strong willed person to endure as long as she did as a single ruling female head of state. True, she didn't produce any heirs but she didn't take the chance of dying in childbirth either. A King can always remarry & get another queen or legitimize any bastard children he may have had. A Queen regnant did not have that option.

[@davehoward22]

She was so white because she was effectively covered in lead paint.

[@maciemoomaleary4034]

It is true that Queen Elizabeth 1 had smallpox and she survived.and apparently She died because her make up.(The make up she used had dangerous chemicals)

[@lorrainelewis1166]

Im glad I found this doc because my daughter and I have read many books about this time period and Elizabeth I. My daughter remembers everything 😄 Shes ever read about Elizabeth and her father and all his wives. Im definitely going to send this doc to her. She will love it. TY so much for this documentary. I've enjoyed it

[@paulinathesalsadancer2659]

Fascinating video, and interesting analysis of the amazing Queen. Even though she did not do what monarch’s do and “ensure the lineage”, I think this woman had real balls to do things her way, break with tradition, refuse to marry or name an heir. She was her own woman, despite having so much pressure to do what kings do… well…. She was Queen.. she did things her way… and it did not mean England lost its royals…they’re still there…. the world survived even if she didn’t have heirs. I admire her. She certainly knew how to convey an image and she made her own decisions… that’s powerful!

[@wrathford]

This takes me back to being in Year 5 (age 9) and learning about the different portraits of Elizabeth I and the symbolism within them. A lot of nostalgia here! Love this video ❤

[@joyandrews7870]

I love this docu...it has invoked so much enquiry in my heart. Upnor Castle is very close to my heart....The Tudor Rose public house, was once a favoured pub of my family! Thank you for your channel!

[@Tinkerbe11]

I don't blame her for not getting married to a man she didn't love and who would take away her power and agency. And I don't blame her for not having any children in a time when this was playing russian roulette - 30-50% women died in childbirth back then. And if you watch House of the Dragon, where a queen gave birth at an inconvenient moment and the men around her immediately seized power from her - this definitely would have been a weak time for a woman who had to remain strong all the time. As far as I know, she tried to raise sucessors, but they betrayed her, so she probably just gave up.

[@davehoward22]

Your playing russian roulette having a relationship with a tudor,who would want to marry her given her fathers record?..

[@maciemoomaleary4034]

Cool

[@lysander3459]

house of the dragon is a very bad show. Illogical and downright stupid. And I've never seen worse CGI.

[@HatsAndFacts]

Mary queen of Scots was ripped from power, her mother was ripped from power and Mary Tudor was almost ripped from power it wasn’t a good time in history for a woman to be the most powerful that’s why she didn’t get married or have children cause that would give Parliament a person with a claim that could be used to rise against her.

[@wandapease-gi8yo]

Elizabeth missed nothing by not marrying!

[@melissa-wilson]

I love, LOVE ❤️ this channel. Well done, guys. Much appreciation from Cleveland, Ohio, 🇺🇸.

[@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim]

She is my favourite monarch. I've often wondered why she chose to remain single and I have a feeling that it was because of her father who demonstrated that men *own* you if you marry. You lose any self worth and become a possession of the man and subject to his will If he is a cruel husband, you'll have a life of misery and be powerless. Frankly, she did the right thing by not marrying.

[@OdeInWessex]

Had she married a foreign Prince the country itself would have become their property. I have always wondered if this was another reason for her not to marry, she didn't fancy interference from abroad that would have opened up another can of worms at the time.

[@innocentnemesis3519]

I found it rather odd that the commentator characterized her choice to remain a virgin as an act of negligence! It feels a bit misogynistic to conclude that the role of a queen in her own right should be childbearing. Elizabeth’s choice was powerful, even if it is representative of a massive propaganda campaign.

[@alecblunden8615]

The reasons were all political. Marrying a foreign prince would send messages to the opposing factions and ditto if she married an English nobleman. It had nothing to do with sexism and other 20tj century concerns.

[@rickjensen2717]

@@alecblunden8615 correct!

[@DonnaV411]

@@alecblunden8615 We are in the 21st century and I doubt very much that QEI remained unmarried solely for that reason, i.e., the political message it would send. I suspect that she also did not fancy the idea of sharing her power with anyone, let alone a husband, who, according to law and custom of the day, would literally own her. And, she had faith in her own abilities to rule. Thus, sexism did have something to do with it. I would say that in addition to political reasons, she had very feminist reasons for refusing to marry. Although she may not have labeled herself as such she was a feminist. By refusing to share her power with a man she WAS neglectful of a monarch's first duty -- to produce an heir -- but there is always, always a price to be paid for the choices we make in life. Always.

[@stephanieking4444]

Useful general introduction. Great photography of the portraits mentioned in the video, well known historians commenting. However, as a specialist of Elizabeth's portraiture and of 16th century symbolism, I regret a complete lack of even short allusions to very important symbols (the 'imperial' crown, the armillary sphere, the meaning of the left/right positions in symbolic images, the fact that some symbols also appear connected to Anne Boleyn). I also regret the repetition of incorrect old tropes ('the weather' as the only reason for the victory over the Armada - please do check out what specialists of Philip II say about the fatal mistakes he insisted on making in his plan...and his refusal to listen to experienced military chiefs such as his nephew Parma. Another trope is 'Elizabeth was negligent'. No she wasn't. She maintained the independence of her kingdom and kept her own power when any marriage would have taken both away. It is well known that she was very clear from even her childhood days, about her personal aversion to marriage. She said many things which would today be understood as evidence of asexuality. Following one's nature is not 'negligence'. It is the only thing one can do. historians should not pay lip service to prejudice. As for the idea that she died 'without naming a successor'...Robert Cecil, who was at her death bed, would have contradicted this statement. A closer look at potential other successors (from the Grey sisters to Arabella Stuart) suggest that Elizabeth looked into their claims as well as into James's. Historian John Guy believes that Arabella could well have been an initially preferred choice, but her own actions were disappointing and ruled her out. Katherine Grey also disappointed Elizabeth, who had initially shown her favour by giving her a good position among her ladies.

[@EM2theBee]

This was incredibly enjoyable to watch! Thank you all who worked on this!

[@carolinebarnes6832]

I have always been fascinated by the Tudors and especially Elizabeth and I have read loads of books on the period as well as watching documentaries. It is obvious to me why Elizabeth avoided marriage, even though she dangled the prospect of marriage in front of the royal families of Europe as long as she could get away with it. Imagine yourself as the three year old hearing that your mother has been beheaded for adultery. Her father had her mother executed, and as she grew up she watched how other women were treated by him, including the beheading of Katherine Howard, and her beloved Katherine Parr came close to the same end but luckily for her Henry died before that could come about. Then there was the scandal of her teenage years when she had to defend herself from accusations of hanky panky between her and the Lord High Admiral of the time who was engaged to Katherine Parr before she caught the eye of the King. After Henry's death I think they, Katherine and Thomas, did finally marry, but I am not certain, my memory fails me on that point. No wonder Elizabeth could never give herself up into the power of a man and she was uniquely placed to hold onto her independence. Other women of the time were not so fortunate. I am surprised that nobody that I have come across has looked at this from a psychological perspective. Yes, as a monarch her duty was to provide an heir, but the necessary actions to bring that about were psychologically beyond her, so she shut her eyes to it and projected the idea of being young forever. I think she is to be pitied and I personally admire her courage in living her life as she did.

[@garyphisher7375]

Uniquely placed to hold onto her independence - you mean being Queen - something she never achieved - it was bestowed upon her. And women are not independent - they rely on men for nearly everything. Why try to rewrite history? They were very tough times. Men had it way worse than women.

[@carolinebarnes6832]

@@garyphisher7375 Monarchy is almost always inherited except in cases of civil war or invasion, so not sure what your point is there, it doesn't make much sense. Seems like you have an axe to grind. Personally I don't rely on a man for anything. Anyway, keep on grinding that axe if it gives you satisfaction.

[@garyphisher7375]

@@carolinebarnes6832 You rely on men for EVERYTHING. That house you live in - piped in gas, electricity, telephone, clean water. Double glazing, insulation, windows, tiles, bathrooms, carpets, floors, walls, ceilings. ALL put there by men. Roads, canals, airports, seaports, trains, pavements - ALL put there by men. Every building you will see this year - every place you will go - ALL built by men. Schools, shops, hospitals, factories, power plants, mines, foundries - ALL built by men. Remind me what women do again?

[@garyphisher7375]

There's been a hurricane - the power lines are down and the roads are flooded! Quick call the women!

[@carolinebarnes6832]

@@garyphisher7375 Some woman literally risked her life so you could be born. This is my last word, I am not going to waste time arguing with you.

[@aroyalaustralian]

Thank you for this informative video.

[@HistoryHit]

You are welcome!

[@BeveC21E]

Thank you, ladies. This video said so much about a queen who was strong and powerful and all too human. I may have seen every video produced about this queen, but you brought her back to life for us and the strength w which she ruled and how she used propagandized messages in which to depict herself and England, both, as a ruler. (Imho)She succeeded! ❤ succeeded. ❤

[@chris.asi_romeo]

Tudor line ended with her. It's a good revenge to her father. Queen Elizabeth clearly hated her father by killing her mother Anne Boleyn. Imagine the pain young Elizabeth felt that her father execute her mother that's so traumatic. By not having an heir and ended the tudor line is her revenge.

[@lovisaricks9168]

I'm not sure she hated her Father, she did clearly want to feel connected to her mother.

[@lovisaricks9168]

It is possible to love both parents.

[@wandapease-gi8yo]

My vision of Elizabeth is very similar to that of Katherine Hepburn throughout her life. Hepburn was not classically beautiful at any time, but she had a constant flow of Charisma all her life. If not beautiful, Elizabeth had that about her that the sight and sound of her made those around her forget she was anything other than extraordinary, just as Ketherine did!

[@Stardusted1]

This was an excellent show! I loved it thank you so much. ❤

[@jumaris28]

Great Documentary 😊👍👍 Love Elizabeth 1 ❤ but the audio of Dr. Nicola has somehow a very low quality sound , her voice resonates like talking to a tube ☺️

[@stephengraham5099]

I've found another video with no sound issues and I find her voice very grating. I put the subtitles on for the Elizabeth video.

[@glebeboi]

her voice resonates like talking to a tube -- a KZbin ?? haha

[@donaldauguston9740]

This was interesting but the sound was terribly uneven. DA

[@lila6117]

Found this very interesting, thank you.

[@bobuk5722]

Thanks, I'll view portrait paintings differently in future.

[@lucybirot5623]

This is a very interesting subject for me but this presentation is marred by intrusive, overloud and rather frenetic music which makes listening to what the speakers have to say impossibly difficult in some cases (mumbling speech), and irritatingly difficult in others (speech clear but music interferring continuously). I am very disappointed. But thank you for the effort.

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

Thank you so much for this fascinating video essay. I thoroughly enjoyed learning something from each and every portrait. My only complaint is that the presenter said that Elizabeth was “reduced” to wearing wigs ( 29:50). People wear wigs for all sorts of reasons - for fun, for pleasure, for medical reasons, or hair loss due to ageing etcetera. 🙂🐿❤️🌈

[@jennflores2810]

People do wear wigs for all reasons and in 2023 neither we or Elizabeth I (if living now) would likely use that phrasing or feel embarrassed about it. But it was a very different environment for Elizabeth I as the Queen of England in the late 16th/early 17th centuries. It would have been distressing for Elizabeth to lose her hair and she might very well have felt "reduced" to wearing wigs because of it. Considering we know Elizabeth was extremely upset after the incident where Robert Devereux walked in unannounced and saw the queen without her wig and makeup, we can probably safely assume she did feel a sense of shame or embarrassment about it.

[@bbybella9937]

@@jennflores2810 she didn’t lose her hair tho. There are many different accounts of ambassadors and other people seeing that she still had hair. The OP is right, many women did wear wigs at that time. It was just fashionable for her to do so.

[@jennflores2810]

@BbyBella99 she lost hair after contracting smallpox and definitely when she was older. She also greyed relatively young.

[@bbybella9937]

@@jennflores2810 Not according to the ambassadors who saw her. She had a full set of hair when she was younger. Not one said anything about grey hair. Also we don’t know if she started losing hair when she had smallpox. She wasn’t even that effected by it in her face.

[@cyankirkpatrick5194]

There's a you tube channel that brings historical figures back to life because I subscribed to them and she's one of them and she does a awesome job in recreation in doing so.

[@Bees123Knees]

The youtube channel is _"Royalty Now."_ I love their videos.

[@williamrobinson7435]

Very good but I think you posted this last week.. 🤔😁👍

[@salemdianne]

This was already uploaded earlier this week

[@havingalook2]

So interesting and so well presented.

[@paulalyus9237]

I really enjoyed this video Thank you 😊x

[@rhyscrowley266]

I feel like the analysis is very surface level. The points seem to be like "she wears expensive things to show she is wealthy" or "she wanted to look diserable". I feel like this are true of any portrait of a monarch

[@bbybella9937]

They always do this with Elizabeth. She had to be seen as this super duper vain women when literally all monarchs are vain. However she is the one who gets called out on it the most.

[@Shadowninjaplayz124]

tysm, I gave an exam abt Elizabeth influence and reign tomorrow.. this is soo helpful

[@ryanborder189]

Amazing that 400 years after her death she still glitters and astounds us as the Great Queen she was. I can never hear enough about her, her intellect, her temper and the terrible price she paid personally to secure her throne. She was a truly fabulous Monarch and all women(and men) owe her for demonstrating the women can be just as Great and occasionally like her, outshine even the Greatest of men. That is why we are still beguiled by her persona and legacy.

[@kapa4163]

Exactly.

[@Aarontlondon]

I bow to you Queen Elizabeth

[@stevenwaffles]

Is it me, or is the audio really off? Sounds very muffled at times

[@ygritteweirwood9298]

When people talk about history and use the term “it can only be….” It raises hackles. In the family portrait, since Mary was wearing a cross, could the A not refer to the Anglican Church that eschews iconography? Think about it…

[@ygritteweirwood9298]

In the Rainbow portrait, you speak of the eyes and ears. Do you not see the mouths? What do they represent?

[@DrachenGothik666]

@@ygritteweirwood9298 Those are folds in the cloth, not mouths.

[@ygritteweirwood9298]

@ folds AND mouths. At least 2 “folds” have lips. If you do not see it, you do not see it.

[@katherinecollins4685]

Very interesting

[@jennifergriffiths3941]

By the time of Marcus Gits and Elizabeth I of her 50’s & 60’s … hadn’t she ordered all mirrors to be covered up because she didn’t like being reminded of her encroaching age and faded beauty … I don’t blame her … part of a strong confident woman’s aura of power is tied quite closely to her appearance… Elizabeth I had lost her looks … how depressing for her to have to be reminded of her impending mortality … I think …had I been her … I would have ordered mirrors throughout my residences to be either removed & replaced by lovelier times’s portraits or just, at least, ordered mirrors covered up during my visits in residency … having to face the boudoir’s mirror every morning had to be more than enough in later years !!! What monumental challenges she faced as, still, a toddler and into her teens & adulthood before Mary died … I don’t think anyone was feeling very safe & secure due Mary’s reign … well … maybe Philip of Spain was feeling pretty safe … 🤷‍♀️who knows🤷‍♀️…

[@paulodingle2142]

Fascinating documentary

[@cathryncampbell8555]

Thank you for an incisive video on the portraits of Elizabeth I. One wee suggestion: in future videos, perhaps you might dispense with background music. I had to turn the volume way up to hear the voices, as the music drowned them out. Nevertheless, this was a fascinating exploration of Renaissance 'propaganda.'

[@raynatullett7063]

Thank you, that was fascinating and informative.

[@jormar920]

Very poor audio quality in some places.

[@Baskerville22]

Obviously they were not "hidden". What's the point if they cannot be seen. The people of her time - who were in positions where they could see the portrait - would have been very cognisant of the symbolism and meanings. It's just that today portraiture of eminent individuals doesn't, to the same degree, serve the same purposes as portraits of Tudor monarchs, for example.

[@aprowse2525]

I dont blame Elizabeth I for not wanting to marry. So many reasons... My theory is that Anne Boleyn playing hard-to-get was perhaps a complete lack of interest. Henry's mates convinced him she was doing it because she liked him so as not to bruise his ego. So she tells him she would have to be his queen to go to bed with him (thinking "well he has a queen, so now he'll leave me alone"). THEN he moves heaven and earth, gets Catherine booted. Then cuts her head off when she doesn't produce a male heir quick enough... then declares Elizabeth illegitimate and basically cuts her off. Why would Elizabeth, once she became Queen, want to marry? She may well have had PTSD and all sorts of trauma. I would have avoided marriage at all costs too if I were her too!

[@valeria.t]

12:04 Coronation 17:44 Phoenix, Pelican 22:16 Spanish Armada, Rainbow, Ditchley, old age

[@ATribeCalledLegion]

Anyone know the song at 2:00 mark? or was it composed for this video alone

[@yogachick1955]

For the record, the "pelican" in the pelican portrait looks a LOT more like a swan than it does a pelican

[@MsSteelphoenix]

It does! But the drops of blood definitely denote it as a pelican. Heraldic animals often don't look like what they're supposed to portray.

[@love4keoni]

What a great video!! Would love more of these- portraits through reins 🖤

[@hansmiller664]

This is, by far, the best ever explanation for the MEANING, of the "Virgin Queen Bess"! If only the sound wouldn't be messed up!☹️🙄 But THANK YOU ANYWAY!🌹

[@irishka_zolotse]

She wanted the end of the Tudor dynasty; it was karma for killing all those wives by maniac Henry 8. Elizabeth was smart and she got him back, and ended his royal lineage forever...

[@dl7596]

Whoever or whatever does the CC/subs for this program needs to learn that Henry the Eighth is Henry VIII, not VII.

[@amandaeliasch]

This explains so much

[@alisonarmstrong8421]

"I have the heart...of a PRINCE."

[@elisabethlee9770]

The portrait at 4:00 for Elizabeth's birth is actually Mary.

[@charleneterrell]

There are many hidden messages. I posted it knowing that only certain people would get it and I don't worry about those who don't.

[@POGGIOALSERE]

Exactly

[@janerkenbrack3373]

Playing fairly loud background music while people are talking is maddening to me! Do you not understand how hard it is to hear the curators with this music? Why do yo do this? Would you like someone to crank up a radio the minute you start talking to a group? I can't even watch. Thumbs down.

[@katego370]

Guys, can you boost the audio please? It's very quiet compared to most videos and films at my max volume.

[@timefoolery]

I have a separate theory on the mermaid in the Armada portrait. As the great granddaughter of Elizabeth Woodville, would not the legend of Melusina have been told to Elizabeth, and used the mermaid to insinuate that she had an almost supernatural hold on the waters around England? That’s just my theory as a Grey descendant of Elizabeth Woodville.

[@sweetpea17]

Only one piece of clothing though found as an altar cloth i believe. That's a shame her clothing was the epitome of Royal dress. Well at least in portraits.

[@Celeste-in-Oz]

Wow, women have relied on image filters to be liked, for way longer than I guessed.

[@advancedfaces]

Where did the date of 1588 come from for the rainbow portrait?

[@juliebeans5000]

Every time I see that gorgeous coronation portrait, I think of the animated Beatles movie, 'Yellow Submarine.' She looks like like Paul. [Sorry, you probably can't un-see it now, right?]

[@janesmith9056]

Does anyone know why the orb in the coronation portrait is dark blue, please. Is it deterioration of the paint or gilding?

[@Familylawgroup]

I was shocked to hear how many portraits there are of QEI. Has anyone carefully studied the portraits for major inconsistencies in her portrayals? For example, we know that a number of portraits of other persons would embellish a subject's looks. Since so many different artists painted QEI, I am curious if anyone has identified repeating embellishments? I presume there are few portraits showing her smallpox scars and rotting teeth. Are there any portraits showing such mage flaws?

[@Mairiain]

The Tudor dynasty didn't die with her, however--it continued through James I and VI. Margaret was just as Tudor as Elizabeth was.

[@cyankirkpatrick5194]

The top one of last year was Anne of Cleeves

[@joyandrews7870]

What if the necklace is the Pi symbol (16th Greek letter) maybe she was 16 years of age at the sitting? Maybe also pointing us towards the Greek Goat King? Danial 8:21 The King is the Shaggy Goat

[@Rachel-oz6gl]

A T Anne Tudor

[@MsSteelphoenix]

The politics of Elizabeth's choosing not to marry was wise from one perspective, and not from others. From one side, she would become subservient to her husband, regardless that she was Queen Regnant, and England would be subject to the politics of another country. She maintained England's sovreignty and her own independence. Unfortunately, on the other side is the fact in that time, the role of any monarch, male or female, was to create stability. A secured line of succession was part of that, and to not do this was negligent. The Wars of the Roses were (at the time of her birth) still within living memory, with all the politics of inheritance and so on. That would have influenced things like the lengths her father went to to get a male heir. Short of going back to ask her, we'll never really know why.

[@spencerfrankclayton4348]

Her childhood perfectly explains it. When she heard that Henry's wife Catherine Howard (her mom's cousin) had been executed, she said to her friend, "I shall never marry." Once, during her own reign, she said, "Better than to be a beggar woman and single, than a queen, and married."

[@gregedmand9939]

Fascinating topic... But the audio is quite appalling. I of course tried to watch it on the HH app and it was no better. The one presenter sounds as if she is speaking under water. Her volume is far too weak to overcome the unnecessary music.

[@spencerfrankclayton4348]

Not as in-depth as I thought.

[@kridswonderhowell4541]

Is it true Elizabeth 1 refused to spend the night at The Tower before her coronation..... and spent the night before the coronation at Charterhouse .... before starting the procession at The Tower?

[@deedee7733]

We've always done better as a country under female monarchs, Kings bring periods of insecurity and uncertainty.

[@spencerfrankclayton4348]

Not always!!

[@MarloweDash]

35:02 ‘she was a really negligent queen who didn’t do the job’. Hmmm interesting conclusion.

[@wontputmynamehere]

I wish I could have watched this documentary, but the bad audio mixing makes it inaudible for over 10% of the population. Many people with hearing problems, autism, tinnitus, and other sensory processing issues have trouble separating music and spoken word. It all comes in garbled together as a wall of noise. Please don't play music throughout the narration: these problems affect over 10% of the population, a huge part of potential viewers. If you're not affected and you have trouble imagining what it's like, imagine being at a family reunion where someone had the bright idea to give the kids toys with music. You really wanted to catch up with people, but you can barely understand each other through the din.

[@Etäinshewölf007]

Shame as Queen she couldn’t of made it law that she was still the ruler of England and kept her family line. That way she would of married someone that actually loved her and not the throne. Unlike Harry who claims he wants to be private but seems to be in the papers at least once a month with his well tanned wife

[@themysteriousdomainmoviepalace]

Does anyone else thknk Catherine Parr looks like Kate Middleton?

[@Jin-Ro]

We could do with her in power today. The weasels we have in Parliament and the civil service have no faith and place no value in the UK; scared to death of leaving the EU, like it was some kind of comforter for them.

[@philmcdonald6088]

i need subtitles.

[@glebeboi]

ia a way it was an attempt to try & forget all the "chopping" and changing of Henry's marriages - hahaha if pun was intentional

[@vidavuk1649]

Elisabeth was not beautiful at all. But she reigned efficient.

[@prabowodjojominarso6151]

She was pretty before she caught smallpox

[@georgeeroes256]

noisy hard to hear

[@MISSDELIGHT76]

the who wants to be a millionaire music😂 3:41 it probably says: Duchess Shiesty Misty! “Hmm mm” 😂😂she was not satisfied with that text, she was waiting for the Diana sent you to save H and the humanity text 😂 6:06 and look at H looking out the window 😂 a whole mess

[@Rosedawn321]

How come they didn’t cover the “Pregnancy Portrait”?

[@mikedoyle3455]

A most interesting piece ruined by the unnecessary, annoying music.

[@elizabethwelch2976]

The pelican was probably in reference to her mothers bird

[@justanotherjezebeI]

I don't understand why no one ever acknowledges the mouths in the dress of the rainbow portrait. They always mention the eyes and the ears, but no one ever talks about the mouths. It's kinda funny, but also a bit perplexing.

[@DrachenGothik666]

They're just folds in the fabric, not mouths. People keep saying they're "mouths", but they aren't. Just oddly positioned folds. If they'd been meant to be mouths, they would have been more obvious, like the eyes & ears were.

[@Maderyne]

If ever there was a chance to go back in history to one specific time period, that would be it for me. The ascension and reign of Elizabeth I was the golden age of England and to be a witness to that period of time would be a memory dearly treasured. Cate Blanchett's portrayal of her was what cemented that thought in my mind as I watched the movies. She was a woman I greatly admire. Though I must confess a great contempt for Henry VIII and his abuse of power, yet because of that she was able to rise to power in her own right and rule England for many years. This is just my reflections and thoughts and if I offend anyone else, I do apologize.

[@peterphilstacey4698]

Living without sanitation?, in dreadful poverty, vast majority of children dying before 10, sounds ideal.

[@Maderyne]

@@peterphilstacey4698 I think you misunderstood my comment. There will always be suffering, no matter the period of time. Even today in certain parts of the world people suffer unjustly. England rose to dominance during Elizabeth's reign. That is no small feat. That was the intent of my comment.

[@carolking6355]

I really enjoyed this but the commentators voice was so dreadful. Perhaps it was the film. I think the last portrait of Elizabeth 1st was fine. She showed a dignity. That portrait of our late Queen should be burned. Our darling Queen was beautiful on film just 3 days before her death.

[@roweng.4245]

I find it interesting that the two presenters, both relatively young women, speak in slighting tones of Elizabeth I, apparently for the crime of getting old.

[@dawnhock4545]

The pretty blonde with the black sweater giving us information, her microphone has been placed under her sweater, her voice is muffled, and the other young woman you can hear as clear as day!!

[@paulhargreaves9103]

Thank you Dawn.

[@janetbryan2060]

After her horrendous childhood and youth its no wonder Elizabeth sought to cling to power and control as a means of survival. Marriage meant relinquishing that.

[@naturalworld4925]

Who run the world 👂👂 😒😒😒 👸👸👸

[@barriethurlow6519]

It's such a pity that she was associated with the slave trade, but even at this distance in time one feels a strong sense of loyalty.

[@onthemove301]

At the time people from Western Europe, including Ireland, Wales, and England, were abducted to North Africa and sold as slaves. The problem was even worse for European countries bordering the Mediterranean. Slavery was endemic in all societies. Judging people by the standards of the present is not a coherent approach to history.

[@barriethurlow6519]

@@onthemove301 Thanks, so much, On The Move. Yes, a fair point in some ways, but at the same time the best standards we have reached today should, perhaps, also apply to the past? We are all, hopefully, travelling towards the best outlook towards the world and each other? Best ever, Barrie

[@richpaton9346]

A somewhat unnecessary and ignorant comment.

[@barriethurlow6519]

@@richpaton9346 Nonsense, Rich.

[@isabellaangeline2175]

Ageless beauty? Seriously

[@udarithinaka6916]

🙏🏽❤️

[@andie2274]

Interesting and informative. You would think that for a video about appearances, someone would have told her to fix her necklace though…irked me through the whole thing.

[@emmatalmadge1473]

There were eyes ears and lips. Or am I seeing things. The lips are more obscure but I see lips/ mouths.

[@DrachenGothik666]

Those were just folds in the fabric. They do kind of look like lips, though. I suspect that was deliberate on the part of the artist. One of the first surreal paintings other than Hieronymus Bosch.

[@katrinmeier6371]

I don't want to be ruled by anyone. Who needs a king or a queen?

[@ayesh5544]

Ditto!!!

[@mariapilarme]

Queen Mary should be her replacement. I don’t think she was entitled to the throne.

[@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi]

As an Australian with not much royal historical knowledge as all i was taught in schools was how evil i was because i was white and how all cook and all the goonies did was pure evil... its refreshing to see these kind of documentaries. Honestly our school system here was so dissapointing i know more about aboriginal culture that they dont seem to personally care about than my own history and its sad.

[@bethellingworth7814]

If she had married - surely all the power would have gone to her husband, I understood from history that she wanted to have the power herself.