Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Sir Walter Raleigh: We have named it Virginia, after our Virgin Queen. Queen Elizabeth I: "Virginia"? And when I am married, will you rename it to "Conjugia"? Queen Elizabeth I: Go back to your rathole! Tell Philip I fear neither him, nor his priests, nor his armies. Tell him if he wants to shake his little fist at us, we're ready to give him such a bite he'll wish he'd kept his hands in his pockets! Spanish Minister: You see a leaf fall, and you think you know which way the wind blows. Well, there is a wind coming, Madame, that will sweep away your pride. [turns to leave with his ministers] Queen Elizabeth I: I, too, can command the wind, sir! I have a hurricane in me that will strip Spain bare if you dare to try me!

Elizabeth: The Golden Age, CC BY-SA 4.0

Queen Elizabeth I: How many Catholics are there in England, sir? Cabinet Minister #1: Immense numbers, Majesty. Cabinet Minister #2: Half the nation cling to the old superstitions. Queen Elizabeth I: What would you have me do? Hang half the people in England, or just imprison them? Cabinet Minister #2: We must act, Majesty! Our inaction is perceived as weakness! Queen Elizabeth I: If my people break the law, they shall be punished. Until that day, they shall be protected. Cabinet Minister #1: Majesty, we have proven reason to fear every Catholic in the— Queen Elizabeth I: Fear creates fear. I am not ignorant of the dangers, sir. But I will not punish my people for their beliefs. Only for their deeds. I am assured that the people of England love their Queen. My constant endeavor is to earn that love.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age, CC BY-SA 4.0

Queen Elizabeth I: Are you here to tell me I must murder a Queen? Sir Walter Raleigh: I would never presume to tell my Queen what to do. Only you know where your duty lies. Queen Elizabeth I: Was it my father's duty to murder my mother? She was a Queen, for a time. Oh, I would be loath to die so bloody a death. Sir Walter Raleigh: Since when were you so afraid? Queen Elizabeth I: I'm always afraid. Sir Walter Raleigh: Kill a Queen and all Queens are mortal. We mortals have many weaknesses: we feel too much, hurt too much. All too soon we die, but we do have the chance of love. Queen Elizabeth I: Do we? I have given England my life. Must she also have my soul?

Elizabeth: The Golden Age, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sir Francis Walsingham: Forgive me, Your Majesty, I have failed you. Queen Elizabeth I: How have you failed me? What am I to forgive you for? Sir Francis Walsingham: Philip of Spain is a God-fearing man who cannot declare war without a just cause. I intercepted every letter Mary Stuart secretly dispatched but failed to see Spain knew I was reading them. They waited for her to write the words that in my eyes would confirm her treason. Forgive me. I am trapped in my own web. Queen Elizabeth I: And I ordered Mary's execution. I murdered God's anointed Queen. And now God's most dutiful son makes Holy War to punish me.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age, CC BY-SA 4.0