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Sep 7, 1533
Queen Elizabeth I is born
Queen Elizabeth I, King Henry VIII's second daughter, is born on September 7, 1533 to his second wife, Anne Boleyn. Even though King Henry VIII wanted a son to continue the Tudor dynasty, Elizabeth received the title of princess. Elizabeth was first in line to the throne because her older half-sister, Mary, became illegitimate when Henry's first marriage was said to have had no legal existence(Thomas). -
May 19, 1536
Elizabeth's mother is beheaded
Elizabeth is two years old when her mother Anne Boleyn is accused of adultery and beheaded on the orders of Henry VIII. Anne did not want to cause trouble and put the life of her daughter, Princess Elizabeth, in danger by fighting her execution. Due to the marriage being annulled, Elizabeth was now classed as a bastard and Princess Mary was now seen as the legitimate heir to the throne.Her father marries Anne’s lady-in-waiting Jane Seymour a week later(history.com). -
Jan 28, 1547
Elizabeth's father dies
Elizabeth is 13-years-old when Henry VIII dies. Her nine-year-old half-brother Edward becomes King. Elizabeth joins the household of her stepmother Catherine Parr. When Elizabeth is caught in an embrace with Parr’s husband Thomas Seymour, she is banished from the house. In 1548 Catherine dies in childbirth and Seymour is subsequently executed for plotting to marry Elizabeth and kidnap Edward VI(The Death of Henry VIII). -
May 19, 1554
Elizabeth is imprisoned
After Edward’s death in 1553 Elizabeth’s older sister Mary I becomes queen. Mary returns the country to Catholicism and begins a series of bloody purges of Protestants. Mary’s plan to marry Prince Phillip of Spain sparks an unsuccessful rebellion and Elizabeth is interrogated about her involvement with the plotters. She is imprisoned in the Tower of London before being put under house arrest in Woodstock, Oxfordshire(Imprisonment of Princess Elizabeth). -
Nov 17, 1558
Elizabeth becomes queen
Following the death of her half-sister Mary, Elizabeth succeeds to the throne when she is 25 years old. Elizabeth inherited a country ruined by religious disagreement and knows she needs public support to remain queen. The celebrations for the coronation the following year are spectacular. As her procession makes its way through London on its way to Westminster she stops to listen to congratulations and receive flowers from ordinary people on the street(Elizabeth becomes queen). -
1559
Returns England to Protestantism
The Act of Uniformity was passed and required the use of the Protestant Book of Common Prayer in church services. The Queen received the title "Supreme Governor of the Church of England". Also, the Act of Supremacy was passed requiring public officials to take an oath acknowledging the Sovereign's control over the Church. Many bishops were unwilling to conform to the religious policy. They were removed and replaced by appointees who would agree(The Reformation in England and Scotland). -
Apr 23, 1564
William Shakespeare is born
William Shakespeare was an English playwright, actor and poet. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, he was an important member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men company of theatrical players from roughly 1594 onward. Written records give little indication of the way in which Shakespeare’s professional life molded his artistry. In his 20 years as a playwright, Shakespeare wrote plays that capture the complete range of human emotion and conflict(William Shakespeare is born). -
Jun 12, 1578
The Discovery of the Catacombs of Rome
The Catacombs of Rome are ancient catacombs, underground burial places under Rome, Italy, of which there are 40, some discovered only in recent decades. Though most famous for Christian burials, either in separate catacombs or mixed together, people of all the Roman religions are buried in them, beginning in the 2nd century AD, mainly as a response to overcrowding and shortage of land(National Geographic). -
Aug 25, 1580
Spain's Defeat of Portugal
On August 25th,1580 King Philip II invaded Portugal. After defeating the Portuguese, he named himself King Phillip I of Portugal. This made King Phillip one of the most powerful people in Europe, because he'd now had control over both Spain and Portugal (elizabeth i.org). -
Sep 19, 1581
The Pendulum
In 1581 Galileo Galilei discovered the property of the pendulum. This new invention was used for many things, but it as mainly used for telling time. The fascinating thing about this device was that it wouldn't stop unless some stopped it(THE PENDULUM). -
The Golden Age of Literature
"The Golden Age of Literature" was known as the time when a lot of literary experts that are still well known today started their climb to success. William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe are just a few examples of literary figures from this time period(Grun). -
The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots
In 1565 Mary married her first cousin Henry and gave birth to a son, James. In 1567, her husband was murdered and Mary married the Earl of Bothwell which outraged the Scottish nobility who imprisoned Mary. Mary escaped from prison and fled to England. Mary was immediately imprisoned by Elizabeth and spent 19 years in prison while her cousin deliberated what to do with her. Mary made plots against Elizabeth. Finally Elizabeth put an end to the threat and ordered Mary's execution.(history.com) -
Defeat of the Spanish Armada
England and Spain have long been bitter rivals and Philip launches a great fleet of ships, known as the Spanish Armada. Elizabeth is adamant she will retain her crown and that England will remain free from the influence of Rome. She addresses the troops encamped at Tilbury saying she will fight by their side. The Armada is engaged by the Royal Fleet in the channel and then driven to the North Sea by strong winds. Only half of the 130 ships make it back to Spain(Spanish Armada defeated). -
Foundation of the English East India Company
The English East India Company is founded on December 3rd, 1600. This company was founded for trading with India and eastern Asia. It started as a small company but soon blossomed into a bigger, more widespread trading company (britannica.com). -
Golden speech
On September 30th, 1601 Queen Elizabeth I gave her golden speech saying, "‘It is not my desire to live or reign longer than my life and reign shall be for your good. And though you have had, and may have, many mightier and wiser princes sitting in this seat, yet you never had, nor shall have, any that will love you better.’ (britannica.com)". -
Elizabeth dies a beloved queen
Elizabeth I dies aged 69. Known as the Virgin Queen, she remains unmarried and childless until her death. In her final years Elizabeth's reign comes to an end because of her failing health. Many ordinary Londoners take to the streets to watch Elizabeth's journey to her final resting place in Westminster Abbey. Elizabeth leaves no direct Tudor heir, James VI,the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, is named king. The Tudor dynasty that has ruled England for 118 years comes to an end(Thomas).
