---
title: Elizabeth I Ermine Portrait
author: William Segar
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/12283/elizabeth-i-ermine-portrait/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Elizabeth I Ermine Portrait
_Authored by William Segar_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/12283.jpg)
## Image Caption
The c. 1585 CE 'Ermine Portrait' attributed to William Segar of [Elizabeth I of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/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 animal even wears a crown as a collar to make the message doubly clear). She is holding an olive branch which symbolizes peace. The queen wears black - both the dress and her pearls - which symbolized constancy. She has a [gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/) sword near at hand, perhaps the sword of state and so representing justice.
Hatfield House. Hertfordshire, [England](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/england/).
## Cite This Work
### APA
Segar, W. (2020, May 22). Elizabeth I Ermine Portrait. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Segar, William. "Elizabeth I Ermine Portrait." *World History Encyclopedia*, May 22, 2020. .
### MLA
Segar, William. "Elizabeth I Ermine Portrait." *World History Encyclopedia*, 22 May 2020, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elizabeth1England.jpg) by [**William Segar**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elizabeth1England.jpg). Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 22 May 2020. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.