Mark Satchwill Art Historical Portraits: The Tudors Six

"The Virgin Queen"

4 x 6 inches, watercolor, gouache and gold ink, 2008

Elizabeth was crowned Queen in January 1559, beginning a reign that was to last 44 years and be considered a "Golden Age". She was aided by Sir William Cecil, who was to become her chief advisor until the 1590's. She had a lot to prove - not just as a woman. Her sister Mary's reign had left the country in debt and religious instability. She was also considered by some to be illegitimate. Generally however she was popular and well thought of, considered intelligent and learned. She set about tackling religion. The Act of Uniformity was passed, outlawing Catholic communion and stating that the Protestant Book Of Common Prayer was to be used for all church services. Then the Act of Supremacy was passed, confirming Elizabeth as Supreme Governor of the Church of England and giving her the power to remove from office anyone who refused to recognise this.

"Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester"

ACEO, 2.5 x 3.5 inches, watercolor, gouache and gold ink, 2008

Robert Dudley was the favourite of Elizabeth 1st and is often thought to be the man that she loved most.His father had been the Duke of Northumberland and had been executed for his part in the attempt to place Lady Jane Grey on the throne. Robert and his brothers were also arrested, and were imprisoned in the tower at the same time as Elizabeth, but like Elizabeth he was later freed. When Elizabeth became Queen in 1558 he was made Master of the Horse. There is no doubt that Elizabeth had strong feelings for him and there were many rumours about their relationship. Dudley was married to Amy Robsart but when she was found dead at home at the bottom of a staircase many believed she had been murdered by Dudley to free himself to marry the Queen. It actually had the opposite effect, Elizabeth well aware how damaging to her reputation such a scandal could be. Dudley was sent away from court for some time though they remained lifelong friends. In 1563 she even offered him as a husband to Mary Queen of Scots. In 1573 Dudley is thought ot have secretly wed Lady Douglas Sheffield and though he had a son with her he later abandoned her for Lettice Knollys, the Queen's cousin who had become recently widowed. The two had previously had an affair and they secretly wed. When Elizabeth found out about the marriage months later both were banished from Court. While Dudley later returned to court and the Queens favour, Lettice was never welcomed back. They had a son but he died aged four. Dudley died in 1588, most likely of cancer. Elizabeth had received a letter from him just a few days previous to his death. She wrote "His Last Letter" on it and kept it in her treasure box until her death.