Queen Elizabeth I

Birth

Sep 7, 1533

Queen Elizabeth I was born in Greenwich Palace to Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Though her parents wanted a son, they favored Elizabeth. She was given precedence over her elder sister Mary until her mother was beheaded in 1536. Though her father also died in 1547 when she was 13, she grew up a very brilliant student and excelled in languages like French and Greek. Being the last of the Tudor Dynasty, Queen Elizabeth I ruled for 45 of England’s best years. (Felder 58)

Queen Elizabeth I

Period: Sep 7, 1533 to Mar 24, 1603

Portugese become first Europeans to visit Japan

Jan 1, 1543

The first Europeans to arrive in Japan were three Portuguese merchants from a shipwrecked Chinese junk that washed up on a small island 65 miles south of Kyushu in a typhoon. The Japanese called the Portuguese who landed in Japan “Southern Barbarians” because they arrived mostly in the south. The Portuguese then arrived in China in 1513. Since the Chinese were forbidden from trading with Japan, the Portuguese served as middlemen for trade in Asia. (Grun 236)

Martin Luther Dies

Feb 18, 1546

Martin Luther, a German priest, monk and professor, died in Eisleben at 62 years old. After being very ill with kidney and bladder stones and angina, Luther gave his last sermon three days before his death. He then suffered a stroke that deprived him of speech and died shortly after at 2:45 a.m. He was buried in the Castle Church in Wittenberg and is honored on 18 February with a commemoration in the Lutheran Calendar of Saints. (Grun 236)

Ascension to the Throne

Nov 1, 1558

At 25 years old, Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne. She was crowned and anointed on January 15, 1559 by Owen Oglethorpe (the bishop of Carlisle). She had many achievements during her 45 year reign. She established the country’s religion as Protestant, achieved recognition of England as the leading power in Europe and also expanded England overseas. Elizabeth was never married and as the “Virgin Queen” was devoted to the success of her country during the “Golden Age”. (Thomas 117)

Established as Supreme Governor of the Church of England

Apr 1, 1559

After establishing the English Protestant Church, Elizabeth became the supreme governor. She then made “The Elizabeth Religious Settlement” which consisted of two acts. The Act of Supremacy gave Queen Elizabeth control of the whole church. The Act of Uniformity made prayer books, laws about attending church on Sundays (12 pence fine if failed to attend), and the words of communion vague so both Protestants and Catholics may participate. She kindly never persecuted Catholics. ("The Elizabethan ")

William Shakespeare Born

Apr 23, 1564

William Shakespeare, surely the world's most performed and admired playwright, was born in Stratford-upon-Avon to John and Mary Shakespeare. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part owner of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men. (Grun 236)

Rio de Janeiro Founded

Mar 1, 1565

The city of Rio de Janeiro, commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil and was founded by the Portuguese. The city was the capital of Brazil for nearly two centuries. Until early in the 18th century, the city was threatened or invaded by several, mostly French, pirates and buccaneers, such as Jean-François Duclerc and René Duguay-Trouin. (Grun 236)

Typhoid Fever in South America

Jan 1, 1567

While uncommon in the US, typhoid fever is highly endemic in developing countries in Africa, Asia and Central and South America. Most cases in the US are travelers returning from endemic areas. S. Typhi infection is restricted to humans, and food or water contaminated by the feces or urine of typhoid fever cases or carriers are the leading sources of exposure. Many people have died from this horrible disease in South America. (Grun 236)

Catholic Uprising in Northern England

Jan 1, 1569

These uprisings were an unsuccessful attempt by Catholic nobles to depose Queen Elizabeth. After celebrating mass in Durham Cathedral (such worship was prohibited by the Protestant Queen), 4600 rebels led by Charles Neville and Thomas Percy attacked and captured Barnard Castle. Elizabeth brought up Earl of Sussex with 7000 men and 12000 more under Baron Clinton. Eventually, they caused the rebels to flee to Scotland. ("The Northern Rebellion")

Excommunicated

Feb 1, 1570

Pope Pius V issued a bull, a papal edict, against Elizabeth. This bull said that Queen Elizabeth was heretic and released her subjects from any allegiance to her. Even after the bull, Elizabeth refused to return England to the Roman Catholic Church. From that time on, the Catholics were persecuted and disfavored. (Farmer 69)

Building of The Theatre

Jan 1, 1576

The Theatre was an Elizabethan playhouse just outside the City of London. Built by actor James Burbage, The Theatre is considered the first theatre built in London for the sole purpose of theatrical productions. The Theatre's history includes a number of important acting troupes including the Lord Chamberlain's Men which employed Shakespeare as actor and playwright. After a dispute with the landlord, the theatre was dismantled and the timbers used in the construction of the Globe. ("A Day")

Francis Drake Completes Circumnavigation of the World

Sep 26, 1580

Queen Elizabeth sent Drake on his expedition against the Spanish along the Pacific in 1577. Five ships, manned by 164 men, left Plymouth, with Drake himself sailing in the Pelican. They experienced bad weather and much damage in Plymouth and violent storms and three lost ships in the Pacific. He went around the world in three years and returned with only one ship, the Golden Hind. Drake brought back much treasure to England and was immediately knighted. (Phillips 112)

Foundation of “Virginia”

Jan 1, 1584

England, under Queen Elizabeth, was the first European power to colonize the mid-Atlantic coast. Sir Walter Raleigh founded many voyages to Virginia and named it after the “Virgin Queen”. Virginia was based on a tobacco industry and was a very important place. Eight U.S. presidents were born there such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Also the first Thanksgiving was celebrated there and the American Revolution ended in Virginia. (Phillips 112)

Revolts in the Netherlands

Jan 1, 1585

There were many religious problems with the Protestant Seventeen Provinces and the Roman Catholic King Philip II of Spain. King Philip was initially successful in suppressing the rebellion but, under William of Orange, the rebels captured Brielle and the rebellion resurged. Elizabeth sent England in to help their allies, the Dutch. After 80 years or war, it ended with the Treaty of Munster between the Spanish and the Dutch in 1648. (Phillips 112)

Defeats the Spanish Armada

Aug 1, 1588

King Philip II of Spain assembled a fleet to invade England. Spain was angry about England’s aid to the Dutch in the revolts. Alonso Perez Guzman came with 130 ships and 30000 men. Lord Charles Howard intercepted with large fleets near Plymouth. Howard ordered ships set on fire and sent against the Armada which broke their formation. The Spanish were sent home in the Battle of Gravelines in August with much damage (only 67 of their 130 ships retuned home). (Phillips 112)

Death

Mar 24, 1603

At nearly 70 years old, Queen Elizabeth I died in Richmond Palace as the last of the Tudors. It’s believed that she died of blood poisoning. She was buried in April in Westminster Abbey. Elizabeth passed as one of England’s greatest monarchs. (Farmer 69)