Dora Thornton, Curator of Renaissance Europe, details how Queen Elizabeth I used her portrait to manipulate her public and private image. To find out more you can read Dora's blog about Elizabeth I here: goo.gl/dndyuJ
If you'd like to find out more about the portraiture and propaganda of Elizabeth I, Dora has written a blog that goes into a lot more detail. Find it here:blog.britishmuseum.org/her-majestys-picture-circulating-a-likeness-of-elizabeth-i/
I mean no disrespect here, but doesn't the first object shown, the medal, have a _half length_ rather than a three-quarter length portrait of Elizabeth I?
I feel Nicholas Hilliard is greatly underappreciated by the general public, that gold medal is utterly spectacular in every detail. I always see his work as carrying a sense of romanticism that seems to carry the spirit of the age.
What struck me right away about the monogram of Elizabeth’s name on the reverse of the gold pendant by Hilliard was the first letters you notice are EAB. While the arrangement might be coincidence or even necessary to produce all the letters in Elizabeth’s name, it’s hard not to think it was also a deliberate nod to her mother, Anne Boleyn. This would be exactly the type of way Elizabeth would acknowledge and commemorate her memory... covertly on the back of a jewel. I can think of two other instances when Elizabeth did so... the ‘A’ pendant she wears as a child in the ‘Family of Henry VIII’ painting and the ring she wore with both her’s and her mother’s portrait hidden under the stone and visible only when a hinge is opened. Elizabeth knew publicly supporting/celebrating Anne’s memory would be unpopular and could bring into question her legitimacy as queen, but clearly she must have believed her innocent and somehow was proud of her.
James Aron she was openly proud of her father, calling herself a Lion’s Cub. She was more covertly proud of her mother, who, because of her execution and because Henry annulled his marriage to her, put into question Elizabeth’s legitimacy and her right to the throne. Openly acknowledging her mother might bring scandal and open questions, so Elizabeth never went there. Unlike Mary, who had her parent’s marriage re-declared legitimate, Elizabeth didn’t open that can of worms. But she was proud to be ‘mere English’ which was as much a snub to Mary who of course was half-Spanish than an acknowledgement of pride in her mother. But secretly, it seems Elizabeth honoured Anne’s memory so she must have believed in her innocence. What a mind-fuck that must have been for her... to believe her father murdered her innocent mother. Someone like Kat Ashley must have made it out like Henry was tricked and ill advised by Cromwell or other councilors.
@@graphiquejack I don't believe Elizabeth had to believe in Anne's innocence in order to honor her memory. Children love their parents, no matter how awful they may be. I think Elizabeth honored Anne's memory because of who Anne had been in life: intelligent, musically gifted, charming, vivacious, witty, a driving force of Reform. At the time, Anne's guilt was important, but I think in Elizabeth's heart, Anne's guilt or innocence, had very little to do with the feelings Elizabeth had for her mother. Elizabeth idolized Henry VIII yet she knew him to be a wife murderer, and allowed Elizabeth's status to remain illegitimate .
@@steppy3736 people still love their parents who are unworthy today....so it's no surprise really. If a kid can love their crackhead mother who did God knows what to them this isn't a stretch at all
I actually felt the same way you did about the initials, also noticed Henry's intials as well, like the monograms at Hampton Court. H T/A B/ E T/ E R/ E B. Henry Tudor / Anne Boleyn /Elizabeth Tudor / Elizabetha Regina / Elizabeth Boleyn. Because as much she was a Tudor, as much she was a Boleyn too.
Not only was the subject explained well, but it was one of the first British Museum videos I didn't have to turn on CC to understand. Henry Higgins would be proud of such clarity. ;)
Thank You, Dora, for bringing these to my knowledge. Elizabeth I with Elizabeth II are my favourite Monarchs, so this was a great pleaser to me. Anything ERI I LOVE. Thank you!
Fascinating pieces rich with symbolism and accompanied by equally interesting anecdotes. In a time filled with intrigue and convoluted politics, it does seem a little nonchalant to view Elizabeth merely as a survivor of schemes.
Excellent overview and I had no idea of these beautiful pieces. I will check them out when I visit London hopefully this year. Bravo, Dora and bless you for your knowledge and care.
Beautiful jewellery work. I haven't seen before. Needed to be in Cambodia and thankfully we got Internet RU-vid. Thanks for this really very interesting corner. ❤❤❤
If you look at the crown on the back of the gold/enamel portrait, you can see it most clearly. The "arms" of the crown go up and meet in the middle, but there are spaces between them, as opposed to a hat where there are no spaces (ie in the open crown, I can actually put my hands between the arms as there is an open space. I think this is what they mean by the term. The crowns that the current Queen wears still follow this model, essentially.
@@michaelgask - That is so very interesting -- thank you! I assumed that an open crown was the type worn by medieval kings (no arms or cap) and that an imperial crown, symbolizing the monarch's claim to rule an empire, had arms that met at the top, with a velvet cap below.
QE1 understood propaganda and her image.For Elizabeth, there was no seperation as every image from about 1570s onward was propaganda. Whereas portraits of Henry VIII show his change during his reign, QE1 was the Virgin Queen Whether in miniatures or in grander portraits, there was only one public persona. Even as she got old and her health was failing, that persona never changed.
Why is the ring around 5:30 bearing a serial number in black ink? Aren't you afraid of affecting the item by marking it like that? Why don't you tag it with a paper tag instead?
Im guessing and ive never worked in a museum. But that kind of Jewellery is priceless to the British! A tag can be easily removed and thus be easily sold never to be seen again! However if there is heavy black permanent marker inside, its easier to locate and more difficult to sell since everybody will know its stolen. Im just guessing......
Not sure Henry vii brought an end to 100 years of war? More like 32 years St Albans (1455) to Stoke Field (1487). Unless you start the clock in 1399 with Henry iv’s accession? Also why are there more white Yorkist roses than Red Lancastrian and Tudor roses on the pendant?
Under what conditions did these pieces of jewelry come into the British Museum's hands? Under what conditions were those specific pieces given? Was it under the condition(s) of 'thanks' for jobs well done...in recognition or celebration of certain specific events associated with each piece? Do you know the exact provenance of the pieces besides the obvious that they once belonged to HM QE1?
If you look on the British Musem website pieces have a record including when it was acquired, who from and circumstances. The Elizabeth 1st rose crown from this video, Phoenix Jewel, was purchased in 1753 along with other pieces from Sir Hans Sloane in exchange for money being given to his daughters. He was a physician and collector.
As a Dutchman...I love Elizabeth I...first one to acknowledge the Dutch Republic by signing the treaty of Nonsuch...that was enough insult for the king of Spain to send his Armada...well,we all know how that went...😂
Extremely well presented, though I'd wish to see the jewels longer, without being wiggled about in the hands. But the presentation was truly 1st rate. A couple of these have been quite frustrating to watch. The gift of clear, organized oral communication doesn't necessarily follow scholarship!
Phd in art history, specializing in Elizabethan period, and beat out the thousands of other art historians applying for the job. Better to be a plumber and spend your time as a docent or volunteer.
Just watching this, I'm starting to truly admire Elizabeth. Then again, being Belgian and having to live under the influence of (give or take) six governments and six parliaments, I suppose absolute monarchy will always look somewhat charming.
Wow, I'm amazed how much this museum worker keeps rubbing and running her fingers over the precious artefacts. Wearing gloves doesn't stop certain wear. Thank you for showing, in detail, these jewels, much appreciated.
1:11 Solution: Wiemar blocked from being is here in Peter. I love my few "I"s. 1:28 I laurel... if they did (nulibor) maybe the charm would have be made from Au. 1:37 A stinky storm attacking l'eau de toilette: poop is not a word... as if she meandered north of Hadrean's wall without reformation: an island in a different world. Interesting to think that the Spanish armada was actually an attempt at reunification... it was a storm that largely destroyed the fleet. This reminds me of Louis XVI and MA in detention by the third estate; Louis XIV left Paris because of the stench (a primordial protestant, protesting against pope) while the third estate remained. 2:53 Notice that she (as pen) has greater allegiance with York, indicating adoration for pope. ...they really were trying to create BBC out of America.
3 года назад
Wait, wait Ms Curator...Let's be specific.....There has ONLY BEEN ONE Elizabeth of ENGLAND. Scotland NEVER HAD ONE.......
I thought Queen Elizabeth left a lot of her soldiers to die after the armada in order to save the expense of having to pay them. I'm surprised to see the ships used as part of propaganda as the common people likely felt betrayed after such events.
Hypatia - It's a sad commentary of her reign. One of her decisions that deeply disturbed me after first reading about it. Who knows the underlying reasons for her abandonment of the men who defended England? Whether it was deemed a necessary evil or something entirely different I guess we'll never truly know.
Harharharharhar - indeed. Foreign occupation seldom has a benevolent outcome for the native population. Spanish occupation would have inflicted many hardships upon the English; the Inquisition not least among them...
Stop unconsciously fiddling with the medal woman! It's a precious object which you are lucky to curate. Hold it lightly with a steady hand and don'tt mess around with it. Kids these days i tell you.
Thieves! Return these to their country of origin IMMEDIATELY! * Oh, wait...never mind. *(since most videos about BM exhibits contain at least one of these comments, I figured this one was lacking). ;-)
As though her father would have EVER declared her illegitimate if she were a boy! I fail to comprehend the complete unthinking ignorance of the woke ''mind''.
