Elizabeth I

"And therefore I am come amongst you at this time, not as for my recreation or sport, 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 kingdom, and for my people, my honor and my blood, even the dust. I know I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart of a king, and of a king of England, too;"

On this day in history Elisabeth I, the last Tudor monarch, was born at Greenwich, daughter of king Henry VIII and his second wife Anne Boleyn.

Henry VIII wanted a son to secure the succession, as Mary, daughter of Catherine of Aragon, the former queen consort, had been declared illegitimate with the annulment of her parents' marriage. After the birth of Elisabeth Anne Boleyn had other pregnancies but these never came to an end. In 1536 she was accused of witchcraft, incest and treason against the crown, for this reason she was beheaded on May 19th of the same year. Elisabeth lost the title of princess and was raised in exile with her half-sister until the birth of Henry's long awaited male heir, Edward, son of Jane Seymour. 

Years after with the death of Henry Edward became king, on his death the throne passed first, albeit briefly, to Lady Jane Gray, later to Mary who became queen with the support of her people. Mary I, ill, died in 1558 and Elisabeth ascended the throne. An ascent that was not at all easy given all the events of the previous years. Her 45-year reign is considered one of the most glorious in history. Elisabeth had a great culture and was the patron of great artists and writers, such as William Shakespeare. She decided to not marry and had no children, which is why she is still called the "Virgin Queen".