Queen Elizabeth I, the Queen of England never married but had many suitors in her life. She did not marry because she did not want to give her power as the only sovereign authority of England. However, many suitors proposed for marriage through her life. They were English Courtiers, Foreign Rulers, Kings and Princes. Although she got attached to many suitors and men, she never married. This is the reason she is also called Virgin Queen Of England, or The Virgin Queen.
The Family History of Queen Elizabeth
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Queen Elizabeth I, was the daughter of Henry VIII by his second wife named Anne Boleyn. She had many suitors. There is a popular saying that Elizabeth gave her suitors fair words, but no promises. She chose to remain unmarried her entire life because she loved her freedom and her power. She never wanted to share it with any other person.
Queen Elizabeth’s Personal Life
Queen Elizabeth I, was beautiful and dainty. She was fashionable and wise. Therefore, she had many suitors. The queen liked and enjoyed all the attention she received. She had many suitors ready with proposals and that too, from far away lands. She liked the fact that she was a centre of attraction but she never vowed for marriage as she never wanted to share her power and authority. Some of the suitors are:
- A picture of Queen Elizabeth with her suitors
The Principal Suitors of Queen Elizabeth
Who were Elizabeth I’s suitors?
Edward Courtenay (c. 1527 – 18 September 1556)- Earl of Devon
He was the 1st earl of Devon. He was an Englishman during the Tudor Dynasty. He was born in a family of royal connections and was considered a good match for the daughters of Henry VIII.
Erik XIV- December 1533 – 26 February 1577-King of Sweden
He was king of Sweden from 1560 until 1568 when he was deposed. He was one of the principal suitors of England. He was the elder son of Gustav and Catherine of Saxe-Lauenburg.
Queen Elizabeth usually used no firm words or promises so as to not offend anyone. However, when King Eric wrote her a letter asking her to let him visit her, she rejected it. She made it clear to him that he must not set foot in England.
Robert Dudley(24th June 1532 – 4th September 1588)-Earl of Leicester
Queen Elizabeth never married but there was one suitor who came closest to her. His name was Robert Dudley.
He was the son of John Dudley who was the first Duke of Northumberland. It is said that Queen Elizabeth and Robert Dudley shared a scandalous relationship.
They came very close during Mary Tudor’s reign, this is the time when Queen Elizabeth lived a life of great fear and turmoil. She was in constant fear of losing her life.
Dudley was always by her side, even though he had to risk his own life to maintain her safety. This ignited many sparks and rumours about their relationship. It is to be noted that Dudley was a married man.
Why did Elizabeth not marry Robert Dudley?
Queen Elizabeth and Robert Dudley story fascinated people for a long time and several books were written and films were made on them. They were, of course, emotional support for each other but we do not know if they were lovers.
Dudley’s wife’s unnatural death also caused suspicion among people about his role in it, although nothing was proved. Robert Dudley was also not a very popular man in England. He was, in fact, one of the least liked people. Thus, marrying him could malign the queen’s reputation.
Though nothing is proved, Queen Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley certainly had a close relationship which remained undamaged for many years.
Francis(18th March 1555- 10th June 1584)- Duke of Alencon
Francis, Duke of Anjou and Alençon was the youngest son of Henry II of France and Catherine de’ Medici. His birth name was Hercule. He had a spine injury and later changed his name to Francis, in the memory of his late brother Francis II of France.
English Courtiers
Queen Elizabeth also had many suitors from the country who were English courtiers and countrymen. Some of them are Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Christopher Hatton, Robert Devereux, Thomas Seymour and Sir Thomas Heneage. Queen Elizabeth felt happy that so many gallant and handsome countrymen were her suitors and longed for her hand. She kept many waiting and longing for her hand for marriage but never consented.
She kept her suitors waiting for years which was a curious act in a patriarchal age. She even used absurd names for them, such as her “lap-dog,” “tame-cat,” her “sheep” and her “frog.”
Numerous Potential Suitors
Queen Elizabeth had many suitors. One of the Venetian ambassadors remarked that she had many suitors and by protracting her decision to marry, she kept everyone waiting. In fact, she was spoiled for choice.
People from far and near came to ask for her hand. She was not only powerful but witty She wanted to enjoy both her freedom and the attention she received.
Was it for political reasons?
Many people have lamented that Queen Elizabeth Had many suitors and she encouraged them for mainly political reasons. She never married and later she came in her 50’s and couldn’t produce an heir. This became a folly.
Others questioned her virginity. They asked scandalous questions and questioned her character. In fact, her relationship with Robert Dudley became the talk of entire Europe. Her refusal of his proposal shocked many including Dudley himself.
All said and done, Queen Elizabeth enjoyed and lived a fulfilling life and she remained unmarried, in spite of the fact that a vast number of suitable suitors and courtiers waited for her.