One of the most recognizable monarchs of all time is Queen Elizabeth I of England. Four hundred and fifteen years after her death she is still revered as one of the best monarchs in history. She reigned for forty-five years and her rule was known as the Age of Gloriana. Not bad for the illegitimate daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, eh?
On my Facebook page I love to share images of artifacts belonging to different monarchs of the time and that led me to creating this article for your viewing pleasure. Where I was able to obtain the proper credit information I listed below the image. These images cannot be used without permission from the proper source. I did my best to ensure that these images were sourced as accurately as possible. Please let me know if I have something sourced incorrectly.
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Gloves (Queen Elizabeth I gloves), 16th century
Queen Elizabeth I’s Cradle
Queen Elizabeth I’s cradle, (1896). Princess Elizabeth (1533-1603) spent much of her early childhood at the Royal Palace of Hatfield, Hatfield House.
Queen Elizabeth Ring
Queen Elizabeth I Ring, c. 1560. Found in the collection of the Chequers Estate. The images inside the ring are of Elizabeth and her mother, Anne Boleyn.
Queen Elizabeth Cameo
Cameo carved with the portrait of Elizabeth I, c1575. The queen in profile, wearing a ruff. An example of the type often presented by the queen to favoured people. From the Cheapside Hoard, part of a goldsmith’s stock found buried beneath a floor in Cheapside, in the City of London.
Queen Elizabeth’s Virginal
Queen Elizabeth I’s virginal, made in Italy circa 1570. Chromolithograph from an illustration by William Gibb from A.J. Hipkins, ‘Musical Instruments, Historic, Rare and Unique,’ Adam and Charles Black, Edinburgh, 1888. Alfred James Hipkins (1826-1903) was an English musicologist who specialized in the history of the pianoforte and other instruments. William Gibb was a master illustrator and chromolithographer and illustrated ‘The Royal House of Stuart'(1890), ‘Naval and Military Trophies'(1896), and others.
Queen Elizabeth Half Pound Coin
Queen Elizabeth Coins
Elizabethan coins, (1896). Coins from the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603). Illustration after the originals in the British Museum, London, from a work published by Boussod, Valadon & Co, (1896).
Great Seal of Queen Elizabeth
Great Seal of Queen Elizabeth I, 16th century, (1896). Illustration after the original in the British museum, London, from a work published by Boussod, Valadon & Co, (1896).
Wax Impression of Great Seal
Wax impression of great seal of Elizabeth I (incomplete), 1586-1603.
Queen Elizabeth Medal
Queen Elizabeth I medal, 16th century, (1896). Illustration after the original in the British Museum, London, from a work published by Boussod, Valadon & Co, (1896).
Pearl Sword
The Lord Mayor’s Sword of State and Pearl Sword. The State sword originates from the mid-seventeenth century. The Pearl Sword was used according to legend, by Elizabeth I at the opening of first Royal Exchange in 1571.
Travel cutlery and bag of Queen Elizabeth?
Elizabeth’s Saddle and Handkerchief at Warwick Castle
Elizabeth’s Funeral Effigy with Corset
Elizabeth’s Dress
This is part of a dress that was given to Blanche Parry by Queen Elizabeth and was later turned into an altar cloth.
Essex Ring
Essex Ring – given to Robert Devereux by the Queen
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I believe that the corset is located at Westminster. If I remember correctly from my visit there, they had that as well as other pieces of hers.
Please check the dates given for the Pearl Sword as can’t be 1571 and mid 17th century.
Great to see all these things in one place. Well done.
Edit for above: What I mean to ask is I’m confused by the 1896 date.
The photo was taken in 1896.
1896 date is the date of the illusrations/lithographs of the 16th objects.
Are the dates wrong (mixed up) on the photo of the cradle??
Would love to see the ring. Can’t believe it is not on show in a public museum.
Amazing artifacts! It helps to bring the period to life looking at the personal items of a Queen such as Elizabeth I. Another great article!