The Death of Queen Elizabeth the First 

Considering how poisonous her makeup was, it’s amazing that she lived as long as she did.

Queen Elizabeth I’s reign was considered to be a time of stability for most of her subjects. Not only was she the last monarch of the illustrious Tudor dynasty that changed the face of English history, but she set a template for English and, later, British queens to follow. What is interesting about Queen Elizabeth I’s death was the smooth and rather peaceful transition from her queenship to that of her Scottish and Stuart cousin, King James VI and I to the English throne without a single shed of blood. The idea of war and chaos was, indeed, a real fear in the minds of the English public as there was uncertainty about who would succeed the ailing queen in the early 17th century as she had no royal progeny of her own. Over the centuries, comparisons were made between Queen Elizabeth and her immediate successors of the Stuart dynasty which enabled Elizabeth I to be seen in a flattering light in contrast to the less than stellar acts of King James I and especially, Charles I, who literally received the axe at the end of the English Civil War. Excellent video Dr. Barton. Please continue with your content and research. Cheers!

Thank you, that was really interesting and a well-told story. If she really hadn't looked into a mirror for twenty years, then no wonder she was suddenly depressed/ She had such a dangerous and frightening childhood that as she aged, it must have weighed more and more heavily on her.

Regarding Elizabeth I death, I always wondered if arsenic or lead may have caused much of her physical suffering. During that time both were considered medicinal in nature and would have been found in her white makeup as she was trying to hide her smallpox scars. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Thank you, Allan! Never enough about this complex, fascinating Monarch. To say I was slightly overwhelmed the first time I paid my respects to Elizabeth I at Westminster, would be an understatement. I’d read about and admired her from a young age. Had the pleasure of another visit to Westminster Abbey with my late mother six years later.

I'd like to give special acknowledgement to the visuals provided in this presentation. So many I'd never seen! When I read the title I'd thought there would be little I did not already know regarding this often discussed subject. But Allan proved to bring fresh (to me) and fascinating insight! Thank you, Allen!

My favourite Queen, after our own late Queen of course. I love the images of her in those wonderful clothes and her put downs to those presumptuous men are brilliant. What a star. Bring on the next episode. 🎉 Thanks Allan. ❤

poor woman - i hope she was able to find consolation in her faith

Fun fact: Legally, Elizabeth died in 1602. In those days March 25 was considered the first day of the new year. So, she technically expired on New Year's Eve 1602. However, the current custom among academics is to use January 1st as the dating for the new year in chronicling history. Thus, while almost all modern histories and biographies assign her death to 1603, the legal documents and contemporary chronicles of the event all refer to her death as occurring on the final day of 1602.

Hello, Allan! My home state, in America, was named for Elizabeth I. An amazing lady worthy of remembrance.

Thank you Allan, so interesting. Wonder what she saw in her bed chamber that so terrified her. Poor woman, she didn’t have an easy life really. Did she tell anyone do we know. I mean, we can guess till the cows come home but - could it be she saw her own death, could it be she saw the death of her mother or that of her cousin, Mary. Many more guesses I think. She was wonderful for the age she was born into to. The art work was just astounding! Thank you 🙏🙏🙏👵🇦🇺

It’s going to be a educational and fun October with The Antiquary!

Thanks Allan

🇬🇧 From what I've learned from books, Elizabeth ate fairly well for those times, although she did have a very sweet tooth & ate quite alot of sugar But despite rumours of her black teeth, rotted by sugar consumption, i believe other accounts that she used a tooth preparation applied with a twig brush (?) & cleaned her teeth after her meals. She hated smells & body odour & Washed herself regularly & used spike oil of Lavender on her body. She was very disciplined in her life & her health regimes. I personally think her wearing of white lead in her face make up couldnt have been good for her & must have been absorbed into her body over time. However after a lifetime of being a woman of power & rule Being ruthless for the sake of the crown & England, once old age crept up on her, it depressed her, losing her looks, all her old favourites gone, no children or grandchildren around her to carry on the Tudor dynasty must have pained her in her old age. But! She was determined to the end! Dying by her own control & Terms, she would fight it until her strength gave out! Its why she was the Greatest Queen in British History.. Id even say the Greatest Monarch who ever lived! If there is an afterlife then i hope fervently, she found her mother waiting and a more favourable father too. All her lost loves & old friends & made peace with her earthly enemies. We, especially in Britain, were lucky to have lived during the reign of another Elizabeth (2) A long long reign, a life of 96yrs & a most beloved monarch of her people, the Commonwealth & the World! A lucky name for a monarch - Elizabeth.. both damn fine women Both, non finer nor fairer! I loved my Queen & was born in 1953 the year she was crowned. Sadly, Charles hasnt been a happy Or lucky name for a monarch! Thank you for a comprehensive video in such a short video i enjoyed it very much Peace 🇬🇧👧 PS I agree with this narrator that Elizabeth never got over her guilt in beheading Mary Queen of Scots. She said it was a mortal sin to kill a God annointed Monarch, a Queen. I think it was contrition on her part to try & attone for her crime against Mary, to appoint her son James V1th of Scotland to also be King James 1st of England as her successor .

As always.....excellent ❤❤

Thank you for sharing this!! I love stories about Queen Elizabeth I ❤️

Thank you again for this history lesson. I am very interested in the Tudor dynasty from Henry VII onwards. It is nice to hear these history lessons from you again. It brings everything back to the surface. I would really appreciate if you would like to tell us something about Henry VII founder of the Tudors. I think he was a special man. Martha

Many thanks once again

Definitely one of the most fascinating figures in history! Thanks for your work/video :)

Elizabeth has always fascinated me. Thank you for this!

I wonder if she gave the Throne to James because of her feelings of guilt at having signing the execution warrant of her cousin Mary?

Thank you, Allan!

Thank you. First I've heard of all possible causes of her death put in one place. Appreciated!

Sad and fascinating. I wonder what she saw in her bed that made her want to avoid it so much? Thank you for consistently creating great content.Can you please remind me what the intro and outro music is? I want to 'Rock out'

I can't help but feel that the lead-based cosmetics that she used to keep up a youthful appearance (especially to cover up the scars from her bout of smallpox) contributed to her being poisoned over time until it finally built up in her system. She may have been more heavy-handed in the use of it in her 40's and later on.

Brilliant, Allan! Looking forward to Saturday's video...

Grief. I believe that as she grieved the death of her closest friend of 56 yrs., confident and inner circle cousin, Lady Katherine Howard (wife of Earl of Nottingham, grand-niece of Mary Boleyn) only a month prior, she finally took - literally - a look at herself. These shocks were a recipe for depression, and not wanting to be around for more sadness. Thus, she willed herself to let go. To me its simple. AND. She did it her way. Good for her. P.S. Ahh. Just heard your similar opinion. Best to you from Oklahoma, USA.

@9:18 - I saw the coin (a bit earlier in the presentation) and thought it was a rather magnificent coin but then the thought popped into my head that maybe the coin also contained lead and that if it did - then Elizabeth the first may have been poisoned without every even knowing it which would tie in to the part about the coin being cursed as in yesteryear (as well as today sometimes) people believe certain places and/or things could be cursed. Which really means - there usually is just something odd about a place or thing that gives people the idea that that place or thing is cursed. Anyway - still watching. An excellent video so far and I look forwards to viewing the rest of the video. Thanks ever so much for posting the video.

Very interesting video.

Thank you!

Another excellent presentation with wonderful paintings, though it left me with a feeling of sadness.

Another EXCELLENT video, Allan!! 👍❤💞

Nice vídeo, Allan thank you

This was amazing!.Well presented. Lots of information i had not known before.

fascinating xxxx

I bet all that lead and mercury she was applying to her face after it was disfigured by smallpox didn’t do her health any favors.

It's incredibly hard to believe that a woman who was known for her vanity did not look into a mirror for 20 years. Perhaps her vanity prevented her from wanting to know the truth.

Excellent thank you 👏

Thanks Allen, great video.

Your knowledge and ability to present content in a very smart and articulate manner is great Allan! I want to mimic you and make high-quality history/science/archaeology videos. Keep up the great work Allan!

Thank you! 😊

Thank you Allan, a very interesting video.

As usual an an excellent and measured study of a historical icon we feel we knew…. Can’t wait for the funeral video and perhaps some details how Mary I could end up I’m such a sub-par position -literally under the tomb of her sister. Surely, Mary could have been afforded her own final resting place ? Thank you for your exemplary work.

Look at the pearls, jewellery. Incredible.

Outstanding! 💙💚💜

She had something..charm..personality, smarts..something. The Great Queen Elizabeth the 1. Remarkable women.

Thanks Alan. I note you steer clear of the theory that Elizabeth I may have died from some form of heavy metal poisoning due to her heavy use of contemporary make up products. Was that deliberate?

Captain Picard appears to be a relative of the Earl of Nottingham. 😊

Someone suggested a poisoning by lead and arsenic contained in the makeup.

Thank you Dr Allan. Great Video. If Henry VIII invented England, The Queen Elizabeth I amplified it. It is very difficult imagine two others Monarchs of equivalent and well succeed grandeur in the Country's History, even in other country with an analogue History.

I had read that she stood for long hours. Almost that she was fighting Death the only way she knew how, on her feet. Love QEI

She was quite close to her mother’s side of the family.

Stability..yes.

I can imagine Elizabeth I being tired of it all and was ready for god to take her home and god obliging.

Lord, I know it was the fashion back then, but those clothes were horrendous! And they probably would have sworn, that they look good.

Streptococcus infection? 😢

She knew she was dying. She always felt bad of queen Mary being executed..an anointed queen. Thank god ..no dementia, no Alzheimer. Great wit to the end.

Sounds manic or chronic depression to me such a shame

bump

No propaganda is more powerful than Tudor propaganda

Look at his pearls…ha

I thoughtElizabeth died from lead poisoning as her white makeup was made with lead.

I can't believe that they wear dresses like that. It was not beautiful at all