ELIZABETH I (r.1558-1603)
A message to her army at Tilbury on the eve of the Spanish Armada,
1588
My loving people, we have been persuaded by some that are careful of our
safety, to take heed how we commit ourselves to armed multitudes for fear of
treachery; but, I do assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful
and loving people.
Let tyrants fear; I have always so behaved myself, that under God I have
placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good will of
my subjects; and, therefore, I am come amongst you as you see at this time,
not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of
the battle, to live or die amongst you all - to lay down for my God, and for my
kingdoms, and for my people, my honour and my blood even in the dust.
I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and
stomach of a king - and of a King of England too, and think foul scorn that
Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of
my realm; to which, rather than any dishonour should grow by me, I myself
will take up arms - I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every
one of your virtues in the field.
I know already, for your forwardness, you have deserved rewards and
crowns, and, we do assure you, on the word of a prince, they shall be duly
paid you. For the meantime, my Lieutenant General Leicester shall be in my
stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject;
not doubting but by your obedience to my General, by your concord in the
camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over
these enemies of my God, of my kingdom and of my people.
A message to her army at Tilbury on the eve of the Spanish Armada,
1588
My loving people, we have been persuaded by some that are careful of our
safety, to take heed how we commit ourselves to armed multitudes for fear of
treachery; but, I do assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful
and loving people.
Let tyrants fear; I have always so behaved myself, that under God I have
placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good will of
my subjects; and, therefore, I am come amongst you as you see at this time,
not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of
the battle, to live or die amongst you all - to lay down for my God, and for my
kingdoms, and for my people, my honour and my blood even in the dust.
I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and
stomach of a king - and of a King of England too, and think foul scorn that
Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of
my realm; to which, rather than any dishonour should grow by me, I myself
will take up arms - I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every
one of your virtues in the field.
I know already, for your forwardness, you have deserved rewards and
crowns, and, we do assure you, on the word of a prince, they shall be duly
paid you. For the meantime, my Lieutenant General Leicester shall be in my
stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject;
not doubting but by your obedience to my General, by your concord in the
camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over
these enemies of my God, of my kingdom and of my people.
