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Elizabeth I of England
44 quotes
“Master Tyrwhit and others have told me that there goeth rumors abroad which be greatly both against mine honor and honesty, which above all other things I esteem, which be these: that I am in the Tower and with child by my lord admiral. My lord, these are shameful slanders, for the which, besides the great desire I have to see the king’s majesty, I shall most heartily desire your lordship that I may come to the court after your first determination, that I may show myself there as I am. Written in haste from Hatfield this 28 of January. Your assured friend to my little power, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1549 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Edward Seymour, Lord Protector (28 January 1549), quoted in Leah Marcus, Janel Mueller and Mary Rose (eds.), Elizabeth I: Collected Works (2002), p. 24
“'Twas God the Word that spake it, He took the Bread and brake it: And what that Word did make it, That I believe and take it.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1554 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Verses on the Real presence of Christ in the Eucharist whilst prisoner in Woodstock Palace (c. 1554), quoted in Queen Elizabeth's Opinion concerning Transubstantiation, Or the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacr…
“Much suspected by me, Nothing proved can be, Quoth Elizabeth prisoner.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1555 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Written with a diamond on her window at Woodstock (1555), published in Acts and Monuments (1563) by John Foxe
“This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1558 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Citing Psalm 118:23 when she was told she was Queen (17 November 1558)
“I am already bound unto an husband, which is the kingdom of England... for every one of you, and as many as are English, are my children and kinsfolks.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1559 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech to Parliament (10 February 1559), quoted in Leah Marcus, Janel Mueller and Mary Rose (eds.), Elizabeth I: Collected Works (2002), p. 59
“Our realm and subjects have been long wanderers, walking astray, whilst they were under the tuition of Romish pastors, who advised them to own a wolf for their head, (in lieu of a careful shepherd,) whose inventions, heresies, and schisms be so numerous, that the flock of Christ have fed on poisonous shrubs for want of wholesome pastures... and your own Romish idolatry maketh you liars.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1559 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to the Catholic bishops (6 December 1559), quoted in John Strype, Annals of the Reformation and Establishment of Religion, and Other Various Occurrences in the Church of England, during Queen Elizabeth's Happy Re…
“And whereas you would frighten us, by telling how emperors, kings, and princes have owned the bishop of Rome's authority; it was contrary in the beginning. For our Saviour Christ paid his tribute unto Caesar, as the chief superior; which shews your Romish supremacy is usurped.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1559 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to the Catholic bishops (6 December 1559), quoted in John Strype, Annals of the Reformation and Establishment of Religion, and Other Various Occurrences in the Church of England, during Queen Elizabeth's Happy Re…
“[I] would rather be a beggar and single than a queen and married.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1563 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Statement to the envoy of Ulrich, Duke of Württemberg while discussing a proposal of marriage to the duke's son, Christoph. (26 January 1563), quoted by J. Horace Round in "A Visit to Queen Elizabeth," The Nineteenth Ce…
“Kings were wont to honour philosophers, but if I had such I would honour them as angels that should have such piety in them that they would not seek where they are the second to be the first, and where the third to be the second and so forth.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1566 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Response to Parliament (October 1566)
“Though I be a woman yet I have as good a courage answerable to my place as ever my father had. I am your anointed Queen. I will never be by violence constrained to do anything. I thank God I am endued with such qualities that if I were turned out of the Realm in my petticoat I were able to live in any place in Christendom.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1566 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Response to Parliament (October 1566)
“I will make you shorter by the head.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1566 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Response to Parliament (October 1566)
“Was I not born in the realm? Were my parents born in any foreign country? Is there any cause I should alienate myself from being careful over this country? Is not my kingdom here? Whom have I oppressed? Whom have I enriched to others' harm? What turmoil have I made in this commonwealth, that I should be suspected to have no regard to the same? How have I governed since my reign? I will be tried by envy itself. I need not to use many words, for my deeds do try me.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1566 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech to a joint delegation of the House of Lords and the House of Commons (5 November 1566), quoted in Leah Marcus, Janel Mueller and Mary Rose (eds.), Elizabeth I: Collected Works (2002), p. 95
“The use of the sea and air is common to all; neither can a title to the ocean belong to any people or private persons, forasmuch as neither nature nor public use and custom permit any possession thereof.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1580 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To the Spanish Ambassador (1580)
“For rather will I never meddle with marriage than have such a bad covenant added to my part. Shall it be ever found true that Queen Elizabeth hath solemnized the perpetual harm of England under the glorious title of marriage with Francis, heir of France? No, no, it shall never be.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1580 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Sir Edward Stafford, ambassador to France (c. August 1580), quoted in Leah Marcus, Janel Mueller and Mary Rose (eds.), Elizabeth I: Collected Works (2002), p. 248
“Brass shines as fair to the ignorant as gold to the goldsmiths.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1581 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter (1581)
“I grieve and dare not show my discontent, I love and yet am forced to seem to hate, I do, yet dare not say I ever meant, I seem stark mute but inwardly do prate.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1582 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On Monsieur's Departure" (February 1582)
“My care is like my shadow in the sun, Follows me flying, flies when I pursue it, Stands and lies by me, doth what I have done. His too familiar care doth make me rue it. No means I find to rid him from my breast, Till by the end of things it be supprest. Some gentler passion slide into my mind, For I am soft and made of melting snow; Or be more cruel, love, and so be kind. Let me or float or sink, be high or low. Or let me live with some more sweet content, Or die and so forget what love ere meant.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1582 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On Monsieur's Departure" (February 1582)
“Amyas, my most careful and faithful servant, God reward thee treblefold in the double for thy most troublesome charge so well discharged.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1586 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Amyas Paulet, the gaoler of Mary, Queen of Scots, after the discovery of the Babington Plot (August 1586), quoted in Leah Marcus, Janel Mueller and Mary Rose (eds.), Elizabeth I: Collected Works (2002), p. 284
“I...do render you many loving thanks for the joy you took of my narrow escape from the chaws [jaws] of death, to which I might easily have fallen but that the hand of the Highest saved me from that snare. And for that the curse of that design rose up from the wicked suggestion of the Jesuits, which make it an acceptable sacrifice to God and meritorious to themself that a king not of their profession should be murdered, therefore I could keep my pen no longer from discharging my care of your person, that you suffer not such vipers to inhabit your land.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1586 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to King James VI of Scotland (4 October 1586), quoted in Leah Marcus, Janel Mueller and Mary Rose (eds.), Elizabeth I: Collected Works (2002), pp. 286-287
“I thank God that you beware so soon of Jesuits that have been the source of all these treacheries in this realm and will spread like an evil weed if at the first they be not weeded out... What religion is this that they pay—the way to salvation is to kill the prince for a merit meritorious?”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1586 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to King James VI of Scotland (15 October 1586), quoted in Leah Marcus, Janel Mueller and Mary Rose (eds.), Elizabeth I: Collected Works (2002), p. 290
“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.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) said by 1603 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“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.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) said by 1603 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“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.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) said by 1603 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“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.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) said by 1603 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“For even our enemies hold our nation resolute and valiant, which though they will not outwardly show, they invariably know. And whensoever the malice of our enemies should cause them to make any attempt against us, I doubt not but we shall have the greatest glory, God fighting for those that truly serve Him with the justness of their quarrel.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1593 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech to Parliament (10 April 1593), quoted in Leah Marcus, Janel Mueller and Mary Rose (eds.), Elizabeth I: Collected Works (2002), p. 332
“I am Richard II know ye not that? ... He that will forget God, will also forget his benefactors; this tragedy was played 40 times in open streets and houses.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1601 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks to William Lambarde (4 August 1601), quoted in "That which passed from the Excellent Majestie of Queen Elizabeth, in her Privie Chamber at East Greenwich, 4 August 1601, 43° reg. sui, towards William Lambarde.",…
“Those who touch the sceptres of princes deserve no pity.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1602 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks to the French ambassador on Charles de Gontaut, duc de Biron's rebellion against Henry IV of France (c. July 1602), quoted in J. E. Neale, Queen Elizabeth [1934] (1942), p. 364
“Must is not a word to be used to princes! Little man, little man, if your father had lived, ye durst not have said so much: but thou knowest I must die, and that maketh thee so presumptuous.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1603 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To Robert Cecil when he said, in her final illness (March 1603), that she must go to bed.
“Though God hath raised me high, yet this I count the glory of my Crown, that I have reigned with your loves.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) said by 1603 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I do not so much rejoice that God hath made me to be a Queen, as to be a Queen over so thankful a people. Therefore I have cause to wish nothing more than to content the subject and that is a duty which I owe. Neither do I desire to live longer days than I may see your prosperity and that is my only desire.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) said by 1603 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I know the title of a King is a glorious title, but assure yourself that the shining glory of princely authority hath not so dazzled the eyes of our understanding, but that we well know and remember that we also are to yield an account of our actions before the great judge. To be a king and wear a crown is a thing more glorious to them that see it than it is pleasant to them that bear it.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) said by 1603 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There will never Queen sit in my seat with more zeal to my country, care to my subjects and that will sooner with willingness venture her life for your good and safety than myself. For it is my desire to live nor reign no longer than my life and reign shall be for your good. And though you have had, and may have, many princes more mighty and wise sitting in this seat, yet you never had nor shall have, any that will be more careful and loving.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) said by 1603 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I shall be thy name in Christ as I emerge through these walls in vain.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) said by 1603 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Anger makes dull men witty, but it keeps them poor.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) said by 1603 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To Sir Edward Dyer, as quoted in Apophthegms (1625) by Francis Bacon
“If thy heart fails thee, climb not at all.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) said by 1603 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Rhyming response written on a windowpane beneath Sir Walter Raleigh's writing: "Fain would I climb, yet fear I to fall." As quoted in The History of the Worthies of England (1662) by Thomas Fuller
“But to grant them churches, wherein they might celebrate mass, and have congregations and public assemblies, she could not with the safety of her realm, and without wrong to her own honour and conscience: neither did she see cause, why she should grant it, seeing England embraced not new or strange doctrine, but the same which Christ commanded, and what the primitive and catholic church had received, and was approved by the ancient fathers, as might be testified by their writings. Therefore for her to allow churches which contradicted the truth and the gospel, were not only to repeal the laws established by act of parliament, but to sow religion out of religion, to distract good people's minds, to cherish factions, to disturb religion and the commonwealth, and to mingle divine and human things.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1559 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to the Catholic bishops (1559), quoted in John Strype, Annals of the Reformation and Establishment of Religion, and Other Various Occurrences in the Church of England, during Queen Elizabeth's Happy Reign: Togeth…
“Like as no one thing, in the government and charge committed unto us by the favourable goodness of Almighty God, doth more profit and beautify the same to his pleasure and acceptation, to our comfort and ease of our government, and, finally, to the universal weal and repose of our people and countries, than unity, quietness, and concord, as well amongst the public ministers having charge under us, as in the multitude of the people by us and them ruled; so, contrariwise, diversity, variety, contention, and vain love of singularity, either in our ministers or in the people, must needs provoke the displeasure of Almighty God.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1535 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Matthew Parker (25 January 1564), quoted in Correspondence of Matthew Parker, D.D. Archbishop of Canterbury. Comprising Letters Written By and To Him, From A.D. 1535, To His Death…
“Wherefore, although our earnest care and inward desire hath always been, from the beginning of our reign, to provide that by laws and ordinances agreeable to truth and justice, and consonant to good order, this our realm should be directed and governed, both in the ecclesiastical and civil policy, by public officers and ministers following, as near as possibly might be, one rule, form, and manner of order in all their actions, and directing our people to obey humbly and live godly, according to their several callings, in unity and concord, without diversities of opinions or novelties of rites and manners, or without maintenance or breeding of any contentions about the same.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1535 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Matthew Parker (25 January 1564), quoted in Correspondence of Matthew Parker, D.D. Archbishop of Canterbury. Comprising Letters Written By and To Him, From A.D. 1535, To His Death…
“[I]n sundry places of our realm of late...there is crept and brought into the church by some few persons, abounding more in their own senses than wisdom would, and delighting with singularities and changes, an open and manifest disorder and offence to the godly wise and obedient persons, by diversity of opinions and specially in the external, decent, and lawful rites and ceremonies to be used in the churches...the inconvenience thereof were like to grow from place to place, as it were by an infection, to a great annoyance, trouble, and deformity to the rest of the whole body of the realm, and thereby impair, deface, and disturb Christian charity, unity, and concord, being the very bands of our religion.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1535 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Matthew Parker (25 January 1564), quoted in Correspondence of Matthew Parker, D.D. Archbishop of Canterbury. Comprising Letters Written By and To Him, From A.D. 1535, To His Death…
“The doubt of future foes exiles my present joy, And wit me warns to shun such snares as threaten mine annoy; For falsehood now doth flow, and subjects’ faith doth ebb, Which should not be if reason ruled or wisdom weaved the web. But clouds of joys untried do cloak aspiring minds, Which turn to rain of late repent by changed course of winds. The top of hope supposed the root upreared shall be, And fruitless all their grafted guile, as shortly ye shall see. The dazzled eyes with pride, which great ambition blinds, Shall be unsealed by worthy wights whose foresight falsehood finds. The daughter of debate that discord aye doth sow Shall reap no gain where former rule still peace hath taught to know. No foreign banished wight shall anchor in this port; Our realm brooks not seditious sects, let them elsewhere resort. My rusty sword through rest shall first his edge employ To poll their tops that seek such change or gape for future joy.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1568 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: (c. 1568–1571), BL Add MS 82370, f. 45v
“The queen's majesty being right sorry to understand that the order of common prayer, set forth by the common consent of the realm and by authority of parliament in the first year of her reign, wherein is nothing contained but the scripture of God, and that which is consonant unto it, is now of late of some men despised, and spoken against, both by open preachings, and writings, and of some bold and vain curious men, new and other rites found out and frequented; whereupon contentions, sects, and disquietness doth arise among her people, and for one godly and uniform order, diversity of rites and ceremonies, disputations and contentions, schisms and divisions already risen, and more like to ensue: the cause of which disorders, her majesty doth plainly understand to be the negligence of the bishops and other magistrates, who should cause the good laws and acts of parliament made in this behalf to be better executed, and not so dissembled and winked at, as hitherto (it may appear) that they have been.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1546 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: A proclamation against the despisers or breakers of the orders prescribed in the book of common prayer (October 1573), quoted in Edward Cardwell, Documentary Annals of the Reformed Church of England; Being a Collection …
“[O]f late years there hath been used in divers dioceses of this realm a certain public exercise, or, as they call it, prophesying, by certain persons pretending a more purity, by the manner of the doing thereof evil effect hath ensued in some places, to our grief, among the unlearned sort, easy to be carried with novelties. Therefore, for certain good causes moving us, we do will and command you, forthwith upon the receipt hereof, to make express order throughout all your diocese, that all such prophecies be forborne; and none other exercise be suffered to be publicly used than preaching by persons learned, discreet, conformable and sound in religion, heard and allowed by you without partiality, and reading homilies in such sort as is set forth by public authority, by the injunction and order of the Book of Common Prayer.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1577 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to the Bishop of Worcester, John Whitgift (April 1577), quoted in John Strype, The Life and Acts of John Whitgift, D.D. The Third and Last Lord Archbishop of Canterbury in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. Vol. I (18…
“[Y]ou suffer many ministers to preach what they list, and to minister the sacraments according to their own fancies—some one way, some another—to the breach of unity; yea, and some of them so curious in searching matters above their capacity as they preach they wot not what: that there is no hell, but a torment of conscience; nay, I have heard of there be six preachers in one diocese the which do preach six sundry ways. I wish such men to be brought to conformity and unity, that they minister the sacraments according to the order of this realm and preach all one truth; and that such as be found not worthy to preach, to be compelled to read homilies such as were set forth in our brother King Edward his time and since. For there is more of learning in one of those than in twenty of some of their sermons.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1585 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech to bishops and other clergy at Somerset Place (27 February 1585), quoted in Leah Marcus, Janel Mueller and Mary Rose (eds.), Elizabeth I: Collected Works (2002), p. 178
“[L]et me warn you that there is risen both in your realm and mine a sect of perilous consequence—such as would have no kings but a presbytery, and take our place while they enjoy our privilege with a shade of God's Word, which none is judged to follow right without by their censure they be so deemed. Yea, look we well unto them. When they have made in our people's hearts a doubt of our religion and that we err if they say so, what perilous issue this may make I rather think than mind to write. Sapienti pauca. I pray you stop the mouths or make shorter the tongues of such ministers as dare presume to make orison in their pulpits for the persecuted in England for the Gospel. Suppose you, my dear brother, that I can tolerate such scandals of my sincere government? No.”
Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) first seen 1590 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to King James VI of Scotland (6 July 1590), quoted in Leah Marcus, Janel Mueller and Mary Rose (eds.), Elizabeth I: Collected Works (2002), pp. 364-365