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Sep 7, 1533
Queen Elizabeth I Birthday
Queen Elizabeth I was born on September 7, 1533 at Greenwich Palace, near London. She was the daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn ("Elizabeth I," 65-66). Elizabeth I was born a princess, but through political machinations, was declared illegitimate ("Elizabeth I Biography"). -
May 19, 1536
Anne Boleyn is Beheaded
On May 19, 1536, Anne Boleyn met her fate after being beheaded on account of her wrong doings. Her charges included adultery, incest, and conspiracy against the king. With Elizabeth I being almost 3 years old, this event had little effect on her (History.com Editors). -
Jul 12, 1543
King Henry VIII Marries his Final Wife
After 5 previous spouses, King Henry married his 6th and final wife, Catherine Parr. They remained married until the death of King Henry VIII in 1547. Their marriage had little direct effect on Elizabeth I, living far from court, ignored by her father and his entourage (Blumberg 66). -
Jan 16, 1547
Ivan IV Takes Power In Russia
In 1547, Ivan crowned himself Tsar of Russia, after being the Grand Prince of Muscovy since he was 3 years old. He ruled for several years. Ivan reformed the army and the legal system, expanded foreign trade, and conquered the Tatar khanates of Kazan and Astrakhan. Then, once his wife died, it seemed to derange his mind. This was the start of the reign of terror which split and devastated the country. This event earned him the name, "Ivan the Terrible" (Perry 194). -
Jan 27, 1547
Marriage Proposals Following King Henry VIII's Death
On this day, Elizabeth I's father, Henry VIII, died. One month after his death, Elizabeth I received her first marriage proposal from from Thomas Seymour, one of the brothers of Queen Jane, and Lord High Admiral of England.She refused his proposal, but accepted his offer to live with him and his wife that he had later married (Blumberg 66). -
Mar 18, 1553
The Tower of London
On March 18, Elizabeth was committed to the Tower of London under the threat of treason. Many people debated whether or not this news was a conspiracy or not. Nothing was proven against her and on May 19, she was transferred to Woodstock near Oxford, where she remained on house arrest until December (Blumberg 66). -
Jan 14, 1557
Jacques Cartier Claims Canada
A brave French navigator explored the Straits of Belle Isle on Canada's east coast. Cartier was able to claim them for France.He made a second voyage up the St. Lawrence River, and visited two Huron villages, which later became Quebec and Montreal. French colonization of Canada began in the next century (Perry 197). -
Nov 17, 1558
Ascending to the Throne
On November 17, 1558, Queen Mary died. Because of the death of Elizabeth I's sister, Elizabeth I ascended to throne. She survived parental and filial rejection, privation, numerous intrigues, and threats of death (Blumberg 66). -
Jan 15, 1559
Queen Elizabeth I is Crowned
On January 15, 1559, Queen Elizabeth I was crowned at Westminster Abbey. Her realm was divided by religious strife that pitted neighbor against neighbor. The economy of England was in shambles. Elizabeth was determined to reverse the decline of her kingdom while securing her place among her fellow rulers. England was regarded by the rest of Europe as a second- class power (Blumberg 66). -
Jun 9, 1568
Japanese Unification
Japan was wracked by civil war between the great lords. Finally, strong military leaders emerged to reorganize and unify the country. Because of this unification, reforms were made to Japan and they started to act as one country again (Perry 192). -
Oct 7, 1571
The Battle of Lepanto
This event was between the Holy League of Rome, Venice, and Spain, and the Ottoman Empire.The Turkish fleet was drawn up in Lepanto Bay near Corinth in Greece. On October 7, 1571, the fleets met and fought furiously. After 3 hours, the Turks were beaten and more than 200 ships were lost. The jubilant League believed that the Turks crushed forever, but they soon regained control of almost all of the Mediterranean (Perry 195). -
May 28, 1572
St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre
When the Reformation swept through France, the country, like many others, was divided between Protestant and Catholics. Most of Protestant leadership, including their overall leader, Admiral Coligny, and several thousand other Protestants, were killed in a terrible massacre. When Henry became king in 1589, he tried to end the conflict. He then granted religious toleration throughout France (Perry 196). -
Aug 13, 1572
Sea Beggars Take Brill
In 1572, rebel sailors, known as Sea Beggars, captured the Spanish-held Netherlands port of Brill. The rebels were led by William of Orange, who was assassinated in 1584. A Twelve Year Truce was made, but the fighting eventually broke out again (Perry 195). -
Execution of Mary
In February 1587, Elizabeth ordered the execution of Mary Queen of Scots for her involvement in the Babington Plot. The Babington Plot was a plan to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I. Mary was executed by decapitation (Blumberg 66). -
Christmas Mass and the Church
At Christmas mass in 1588, Elizabeth instructed the priest to not elevate the Host during Mass. Her honorific title to the church was “Supreme Head of the Church” but she also allowed “et cetera, et cetera." She became the head of an “Ecclesia Anglicana” or English Church which was Catholic in appearance but close to Lutheran in doctrine (Blumberg 66). -
The Death of Queen Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I died on March 24, 1603 at the age of 69 after a reign of 45 years. Her death is debated and some say it is from blood-poisoning from her lead- based makeup know as, “Venetian Ceruse” (or “the spirits of Saturn”). Others say it is from pneumonia, streptococcus (infected tonsils), or cancer. Elizabeth was reported to have a full inch of makeup on her face at the time of her death ("Little-Known or Unknown Facts Regarding Queen Elizabeth I’s Death"). -
The Death of Queen Elizabeth I Continued
As one contemporary noted, she “departed this life, mildly like a lamb, easily like a ripe apple from the tree.” (Gale).
