November 30 - Elizabeth I’s Golden Speech brings men to tears

On this day in Tudor history, 30th November 1601, sixty-eight-year-old Queen Elizabeth I delivered her famous Golden Speech to the House of Commons. 

 

In this final speech to Parliament, Elizabeth spoke of her position as Queen and her love and respect for her realm, her people, and for her members of Parliament. It was a speech that brought many of those listening to tears. It was obviously a very heartfelt speech by a queen who truly loved her people.

 

In today's talk, historian Claire Ridgway shares Elizabeth I's Golden Speech along with some beautiful portraits of the queen. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:

https://youtu.be/d-9YFGnWjG4

 

Harleian Miscellany version  - https://archive.org/stream/harleianmiscella01oldy#page/366/mode/2up

 

Also on this day in Tudor history, 30th November 1529, the feast of St Andrew, Henry VIII was reproached by the two women in his life: his wife, Catherine of Aragon, and the woman he wanted to marry, Anne Boleyn. Catherine of Aragon was not impressed by the way her husband was treating her, and Anne Boleyn didn't like the fact that the king was letting Catherine get the upper hand. They both told the king exactly what they thought. Find out what happened in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/eJGHWFhX_Tg