The Lion’s Grandcub

         

Elizabeth I Regina spent her reign comparing herself to her father, referring to herself as “The Lion’s Cub”.  She shared many characteristics with him:  gregariousness, love of music and dance, charm, studiousness, precociousness, and enjoyment of pageants and entertainments.  There were also common traits of a less positive nature such as stubbornness, temper, pride and vanity.

One must wonder as she aged, if similarities to her father meant as much to her as she saw the differences in their rule.  Courtiers feared her wrath, but not for their lives as those in Henry VIII’s time would have.  She wrote to the Irish Council “If this had been in our father’s time … you may soon conceive how it would have been taken.  Our moderate reign and government can be contented to bear this, so you will take this for a warning” (Somerset 575).

What is proposed here is that Elizabeth was much more similar to her grandfather Henry VII in temperament and in style of rule.  Although Henry VII was not popular throughout his entire reign, charismatic or in possession of the ‘common touch’ such as his granddaughter, like her he did bring civil and economic stability to England and he restored law and order.

An efficient administrator, Henry VII maintained peace throughout his reign by international trade and diplomacy—methods of statecraft emulated by Elizabeth I, The Lion’s Grandcub.

In future blog entries, the similarities between Henry VII and Elizabeth will be addressed independently.  The following chart alphabetically lists the topics to be covered.

 Topics Comparing Henry VII and Elizabeth I

An Adventurer’s Spirit

Dieu et mon Droit

Eat, Drink and Be Moderate

Fate is Remarkable

Fit for a King

Heir Unapparent

Holding the Reins

In the Stars

Persona non Grata

“…Reigned with your loves”

Rest in Peace

$afe and $ound

Tight Purse Strings

Why Do Today…?”

Words to the Wise