The Virgin Queen Elizabeth.

Essay by apompeiUniversity, Bachelor'sA+, April 2003

download word file, 12 pages 3.6

Downloaded 130 times

"The Virgin Queen"

The Life and Times of

Queen Elizabeth

On September 7, 1533, a child was born to Henry VIII, the present King of England. This child, Elizabeth, was the result of Henry's seven-year affair with Anne Boleyn. During Anne's pregnancy, Henry chose to divorce his wife, Catherine of Aragon to marry Anne and legitimize his child. However, the Pope denied his petition for divorce, consequently Henry broke from the Catholic Church and refused to accept its authority over himself and his people. This action led to the formation of the Episcopalian faith and several other offshoots of this religion.

This child was the main factor in Henry's plan to insure the safety of his dynasty, but unfortunately the child was born a girl. Elizabeth was one of the first English monarchs to be born to pure English parents. Elizabeth was instantly popular with the English people, since she was pure English and born in England, she was watched and supported from infancy to death.

Anne suffered two miscarriages and delivered a stillborn son, but she was never able to bear Henry a healthy son. This angered Henry greatly so he took revenge by having Anne arrested and charged with treason and adultery. Henry had no grounds to divorce his second wife so he felt that his accusations of treason would lead to her execution and he would be free to marry again. "At that time, adultery committed by the Queen was considered treason because the future of the throne would be jeopardized." Many historians defend Anne's innocence and feel that Henry's deceitful accusations were untrue.

Henry personally handpicked the court, which is most likely, the reason why Anne was found guilty and sentenced to death. She was beheaded by sword when Elizabeth was merely...