Elizabeth I was born nearly 500 years ago, in 1533. Her father, England’s King Henry VIII, had six wives. When Elizabeth was two, her father ordered her mother’s execution (处决). “Off with her head!” Elizabeth was very clever, but she had a difficult childhood with her bad-tempered father and so many stepmothers. She was put in prison in the Tower of London for two months when she was twenty.
Elizabeth became queen of England in 1558 after her elder sister Mary died. The English people liked Elizabeth and called her “Good Queen Bess”. But Elizabeth was often bad-tempered and bossy (专横跋扈的).
Elizabeth sent explorers sailing around the world. In 1577, Sir Francis Drake set sail in his ship, the Pelican. “Goodbye, Francis. Discover some new countries and bring me back some Spanish treasure!” In 1588, the Spanish king sent a huge fleet (舰队) of ships to attack England. It was called “the Spanish Armada”. Elizabeth gave a famous speech to inspire her army. “My loving people! I know I have the body of a weak woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king. I will live or die among you all, but I know we shall have a famous victory!” Spain lost the battle.
Elizabeth’s cousin, Mary, was Queen of Scotland. Mary had to run away from Scotland and she asked Elizabeth to protect her. “Please protect me, Elizabeth!” Elizabeth was afraid that Mary wanted to become Queen of England. She locked Mary up. Nineteen years later she ordered Mary’s execution. “Off with her head!”
Elizabeth was queen for 45 years. It was a golden age for England. She died in 1603, and James I, Mary’s son, became king.
原创编写 版权所有 侵权必究！ 每日更新 个性化阅读 英语飙升！
更多优质学习内容
