Queen Elizabeth I Tilbury
Queen Elizabeth I’s Speech to the Troops at Tilbury, 1588
Historical Context:
By the end of 1500's, decades of political and religious tension between England and Spain had led to a cold war.
King Philip II of Spain was Catholic, while Queen Elizabeth I of England was Protestant. Philip desired a return of England to Catholicism. Meanwhile, Elizabeth allowed privateers to raid and plunder Spanish fleets.
The King of Spain planned an invasion of England in 1587, utilizing his mighty "Grande Y Felicismia Armada" (Great and Most Fortunate Armada).
A 120-ship fleet, including 8,000 seamen and 18,000 soldiers, the Armada, was supposed to join forces with the Duke of Parma, who had an additional 35,000 to 50,000 soldiers.
The English Fleet but were mostly light ships with fewer canons than their Spanish counterparts, who had the English heavily outgunned.
There were reports that the Armada had been sighted up the channel. Troops were held at ready on the English coasts in Case. The Spanish Army of Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, might yet attempt to invade from Dunkirk. Against the advice of her council, who wanted her to remain in the safety of London, Elizabeth traveled from St. James's Palace to Tilbury on the 8th of August 1587.
The Queen left her bodyguard before Tilbury fort and went among her subjects to give one of the greatest speeches in English history.
Text from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOtK1LYicdo
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 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 and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust.
I know I have the body but of a weak and 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 shall 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 in the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you.
In the mean time, my lieutenant general 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 those enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.
