Elizabeth had many lovers, a MYTH
Elizabeth was known as the “Virgin Queen” and lived and died that way. She refused to be married and had no children.
Elizabeth was close to many men. These included Robert Dudley and Walter Raleigh as well as Francis Drake and Robert Devereux. She also had many other prominent suitors including the European crown rulers and their heirs.
It is possible that we will never know whether Elizabeth had a platonic relationship with any of these men, but no conclusive evidence has been found to prove she had lovers or companions either before or after she became queen.
Elizabeth loved sweets – FACT
Elizabeth was known for her sweet tooth and loved candied violets. Sugar cane eventually caused her teeth to turn black.
Elizabeth was declared to be illegitimate.
Elizabeth’s father Henry 8 had declared her illegitimate. She was only reinstated to the lineage in 1543 by the Third Succession Act.
Elizabeth was able to read and speak at least seven different languages.
Elizabeth was said to have learned five languages by the time she was eleven and continued learning other languages as she got older, including German. She was able to read and speak English, Welsh (Welsh), Greek, Latin, Spanish, French and Italian before long.
Elizabeth nearly married Thomas Seymour – FACT
Thomas Seymour was executed because he tried to convince Elizabeth to marry him. Thomas Seymour is the husband of Catherine Parr Henry VIII’s last wife and the younger half-brother of Edward VI.
This episode is well-known in historical and fictional accounts about the Queen’s reign, even though we have only partial information.
Elizabeth was born a redhead.
Elizabeth is often depicted with red hair that blazes and a white complexion. Early depictions of Elizabeth suggested that her reddish hair was natural, but her ultra-white complexion was created by lead-based makeup that could have led to issues in her later years.
Elizabeth was a suspect in a murder – FACT
Elizabeth was suspicious when Robert Dudley’s wife died in mysterious circumstances. The story is a favorite among mystery and thriller writers to use in their novels.
Elizabeth was a little Catholic – FACT
Elizabeth, despite ruling as a Protestant queen, adhered to the Catholicism of her sister during Mary’s reign.
Elizabeth I was not a woman – MYTH
Misogynists, conspiracy theorists, and misogynists all claim that Elizabeth was a man because of her leadership skills, academic brilliance and financial savvy. This notion is based on a large amount of evidence that proves it to be discriminatory and false.
Elizabeth almost married her sister’s husband
Philip II, Mary’s husband from Spain, proposed Elizabeth after Mary died. Mary and Philip were close cousins. Elizabeth’s father Henry VIII divorced Mary’s mom in part because Henry VIII believed it was wrong to marry a brother’s spouse. Philip had no qualms about putting Elizabeth in a similar situation. Elizabeth rejected Philip and fought against him in the Spanish Armada.
Elizabeth Shakespeare wrote Shakespeare’s plays – MYTH
Some conspiracy theorists believe that Elizabeth, who was a gifted writer and wit, may have written all or part of Shakespeare’s works. Many scholars are reluctant to attribute some of the most important works of literature to the son of a Stratford glover. This argument is often classist and almost certainly false.
Elizabeth was a survivor.
The Queen Elizabeth was a young girl when she survived smallpox, but none of her portraits show any of the scars that were likely caused by the disease.
