Elizabeth had many lovers - MYTH Famously, Elizabeth lived and died as the 'Virgin Queen', resistant to being married off and obviously childless. However, Elizabeth had many favourites and close friends who were men, including Robert Dudley, Walter Raleigh, Francis Drake, and Robert Devereux, as well as many prominent suitors, including many of the crown rulers of Europe and their heirs. Sir Francis Drake (1540–96) BHC2662 We may never know if Elizabeth had non-platonic relationships with any of them, though no evidence has ever conclusively proved that she took lovers or companions before or after taking the crown. Elizabeth loved a sweet - FACT Elizabeth had a notoriously sweet tooth, and had a particular taste for candied violets. Eventually, the sugar cane caused many of her teeth to go black. Elizabeth was declared illegitimate - FACT Her father Henry VIII declared Elizabeth to be illegitimate and she only returned to the line of succession under the king's Third Succession Act in 1543. Elizabeth spoke and read at least seven languages - FACT Supposedly, Elizabeth spoke five languages fluently by the age of eleven, and continued to learn bits of other languages, including German, as she grew older. Before long she could speak or read English, Welsh, Greek, Latin, Spanish, French, and Italian. Elizabeth nearly married Thomas Seymour - FACT Thomas Seymour, the husband of her father Henry VIII’s final wife, Catherine Parr, and the uncle of her younger half-brother, Edward VI, was executed for attempting to get the young Elizabeth to marry him. Thomas Seymour, 1st Baron Seymour of Sudeley, c. 1509-49 (BHC3021) While to this day we only have partial accounts of what took place between them, this episode has been much-discussed in both historical and fictional accounts of the Queen’s reign. Elizabeth was a natural redhead - FACT Portraits of Elizabeth typically depict the queen with flaming red hair and an extremely white complexion. Earlier depictions of Elizabeth suggest that her red hair was natural; her ultra-white face was created through lead-based make-up that may have led to health issues in her later life. Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I of England in her coronation robes Elizabeth was a murder suspect - FACT Elizabeth came under suspicion when the wife of her favourite, Robert Dudley, died under mysterious circumstances. This story has become a favourite for writers of mysteries and thrillers to explore in their novels. Elizabeth was a bit Catholic - FACT Despite ruling as a Protestant monarch, Elizabeth adhered to her sister’s Catholicism during Mary’s reign. Elizabeth I was a man - MYTH Many misogynists and conspiracy theorists have argued that, due to her extraordinary leadership qualities, noted academic brilliance, and financial acumen, Elizabeth must have been a man. An overwhelming amount of evidence declares this notion to be false and discriminatory. Queen Elizabeth I ('The Ditchley portrait'), Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, National Portrait Gallery, London Elizabeth nearly married her sister's husband - FACT Mary’s husband, Philip II of Spain, proposed to Elizabeth after Mary’s death. Mary and Philip were cousins, and Elizabeth’s father, Henry VIII, had divorced Mary’s mother in part because he became convinced it was wrong for a man to marry his brother’s wife. Philip apparently had less compunction about creating a parallel situation with Elizabeth. Elizabeth turned Philip down and eventually fought a war against him, the Spanish Armada. Find out more about the Spanish Armada Launch of fireships against the Spanish Armada, 7 August 1588 Elizabeth wrote Shakespeare’s plays - MYTH Conspiracy theorists have proposed that Elizabeth, a gifted wit and writer herself, might have written some or all of Shakespeare’s plays. This argument often has classist origins – many scholars have been reluctant to ascribe some of the greatest works of literature of all time to the son of a glover from Stratford – and is almost certainly false. Elizabeth was a survivor - FACT Queen Elizabeth survived smallpox as a young woman, though none of the portraits of her show the scars she probably had from the disease. See the Armada Portrait at the Queen's House Come face to face with the Queen and see the Armada portrait of Queen Elizabeth I at the Queen's House. Find out more Shop for gifts inspired by an iconic Queen Understand the context, creation and significance of the Armada Portrait in our concise guide. Indulge in gifts inspired by its Elizabethan symbolism Shop Icons: The Armada Portrait £12.99 This illustrated guide gives an overview of the context, creation and significance of the Portrait, alongside evaluation of Elizabeth’s legacy... Buy Now Shop Armillary Sphere from £35.00 A wondrous decorative ornament inspired by the armillary sphere astronomical instrument. This small scale armillary sphere is just the right size for a desk or shelf... Buy Now Shop Royal Greenwich: A History in Kings and Queens by Pieter van der Merwe £20.00 Discover the rich royal history of the area where Henry VIII built his first tournament ground, Elizabeth I took daily walks in the Park, and where Charles II raced early royal yachts against his brother... Buy Now