Elizabeth I: Did you mean...?

Elizabeth I reigned as queen of England from 1558 to 1603. Her 44-year reign was so long and packed with momentous events that the second half of the 16th century is now known as the Elizabethan era and still regarded as...

Aware of the power of appearances, Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603 CE) carefully controlled her image throughout her reign and through costume, hair, jewellery, and art, she presented herself as the great Virgin...

A 1579-83 CE portrait by Quentin Metsys the Younger of Elizabeth I of England (r. 1588-1603 CE). It is known as the 'Sieve Portrait' because the queen holds a large sieve in her left hand which is a traditional symbol...

A c. 1601 CE portrait of Elizabeth I of England (r. 1588-1603 CE). The 'Rainbow Portrait', so-called because the queen grasps a rainbow - a traditional symbol of peace - in her right hand, has been attributed to various...

A c. 1575 CE portrait of Elizabeth I of England (r. 1588-1603 CE) known as the 'Darnley Portrait' after its one-time owner. The queen is wearing a less feminine dress than in later portraits but still has her usual pearls...

The c. 1574 CE 'Pelican Portrait' by Nicholas Hilliard of Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603 CE). The portrait takes its name from the brooch the queen is wearing over her dress studded with pearls and square-cut jewels...

A c. 1598 CE portrait of Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603 CE). Attributed to Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619) or his former apprentice Rowland Lockey (c.1566-1616). The queen was into her sixties at the time of...

A c. 1610 CE posthumous portrait of Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603 CE) showing the queen near the end of her days and with death hovering behind her. Although she has aged (an unusual for her official portraits while...

The c. 1585 CE 'Ermine Portrait' attributed to William Segar of Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603 CE). This painting takes its name from the ermine climbing the queen's left arm which was a symbol of purity and royalty...

The c. 1588 'Armada Portrait' attributed to George Gower of Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603). The title of this painting derives from the window behind the queen which shows the defeat of the Spanish Armada in a...