A Short Analysis of Queen Elizabeth I’s ‘Heart and Stomach of a King’ Speech at Tilbury
By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)
Queen Elizabeth I’s speech to the troops at Tilbury is among the most famous and iconic speeches in English history. On 9 August 1588, Elizabeth addressed the land forces which had been mobilised at the port of Tilbury in Essex, in preparation for the expected invasion of England by the Spanish Armada.
The speech has become inextricably linked with Elizabeth’s reign, which is often called the ‘Golden Age’ of English power and confidence. Elizabeth’s reign was the settling of the earliest English colonies in America, the establishment of the first London theatres, the early works of William Shakespeare and John Donne, and much else.
However, how authentic is the reported text of the speech Elizabeth gave on that day, and did she really tell her loyal troops that, although she had ‘the body of a weak and feeble woman’, she had ‘the heart and stomach of a king’?
Many historians accept the speech of Elizabeth I as genuine, and believe the words quoted above have an authentic ring to them: they were delivered, and probably written, by Elizabeth herself. Elizabeth was also a somewhat gifted poet , so it should little surprise us that she had a fine turn of phrase when it came to speech-writing, too.
However, no contemporary account of the exact words used in the speech is in existence. Indeed, one of the earliest recorded versions of the speech contains quite different words from those quoted above. In 1612 a preacher named William Leigh offered this version of Elizabeth’s words:
The enemy perhaps may challenge my sex for that I am a woman, so may I likewise charge their mould for that they are but men, whose breath is in their nostrils, and if God do not charge England with the sins of England, little do I fear their force… Si deus nobiscum quis contra nos?
This final Latin phrase can be translated as ‘if God is with us, who can be against us?’
It was not until more than a decade later, in the 1620s, that the more familiar wording of Elizabeth’s speech was first written down, when Leonel Sharp included it in a letter to the Duke of Buckingham. This letter was published in 1654. In it, Sharp wrote,
The queen the next morning rode through all the squadrons of her army as armed Pallas attended by noble footmen, Leicester, Essex, and Norris, then lord marshal, and divers other great lords. Where she made an excellent oration to her army, which the next day after her departure, I was commanded to redeliver all the army together, to keep a public fast.
It is Sharp’s version of the speech that has become canonical, and many consider his to be closer to the wording that Elizabeth is likely to have used during the delivery of her speech.
But what marks both versions of the speech out is Elizabeth’s emphasis on her sex. In Leigh’s account of the speech, Elizabeth tells her English troops that the Spanish enemy may believe her to be an ineffectual ruler because she is a woman, rather than being a ‘strong’ man who can lead his troops into battle. But she responds to this hypothetical criticism by reminding her audience that the Spanish enemy are but men, who are mortal (and can therefore be killed).
In Sharp’s more famous version, the wording has become well-known, of course: ‘I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too’. In other words, Elizabeth acknowledges the fact that her body is naturally less masculine and strong than the average man’s, but it is not mere physical strength that will win the day. Instead, the ‘heart’ and ‘stomach’ are important: the strength of passion with which the men are inspired to fight to defend their country from an invading foreign force.
A key part of the quotation’s success, which is undoubtedly at least partly responsible for its fame, is the balancing of the spirit and passion (heart) with the more visceral courage and willingness to fight (stomach).
Curiously, the very first version of the speech to be recorded was in 1588, the same year as the foiled attack from the Spanish Armada. And it was in verse! James Aske published the celebratory ‘ Elizabetha Triumphans ’, which contains the words:
And this our speech and this our solemn vow In fervent love to those our subjects dear, Say, seargeant-major, tell them from our self, On kingly faith we will perform it there …
Here we find no heart and stomach, and no interesting play on the Queen’s femininity or sex. This has led some historians to wonder if Sharp’s later recording of the words is unreliable and inauthentic.
But it seems more likely that Aske, churning out jingoistic doggerel while the national mood was still jubilant, was the one who took liberties with the wording used by the Queen, if he even knew what she had said on that day in August 1588.
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An Overview of the Tilbury Speech
The speech is also full of vivid imagery & poetic language, as Elizabeth I carefully chooses her words to stir the emotions of her audience and rally them to action. She emphasizes that she’s one among them, there to fight with them and share in their hardships. At the same time, she also shows her power and authority as the Queen of England.
Who wrote the Tilbury speech?
Did the english army win the battle at tilbury.
A. Yes, and no. The Spanish Armada never showed up at Tilbury (since they were retreating after their previous defeat), so the battle never took place! Nonetheless, the English forces emerged victorious in the overall conflict with Spain, regardless of the outcome at Tilbury.
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Rhetorical Analysis of Queen Elizabeth I's Speech to The Troops at Tilbury
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Speech to the Troops at Tilbury
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Analysis: “Speech to the Troops at Tilbury”
Elizabeth I begins the speech by addressing her subjects as “[her] loving people” (Paragraph 1). In doing so, she invokes a depiction of herself as a loving monarch to her subjects—a recurring theme in her writings and speeches. The very setting in which Elizabeth I gave this speech would have underscored this close connection between monarch and subjects. In visiting her troops at Tilbury, she downplayed the danger of any “treachery” in favor of being among her subjects, whom she calls “faithful and loving” (Paragraph 2). Likewise, she says she comes to Tilbury to “live and die amongst [them]” (Paragraph 3), mirroring the sacrifices the men are about to make by “lay[ing] down for [her] God, and for [her] kingdom, and [her] people, [her] honor and [her] blood” (Paragraph 3). Although she is royal, she portrays herself as one of the people who might die for God and England.
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Queen Elizabeth I’s speech to the troops at Tilbury
Queen Elizabeth I used her power over language to frame the narrative of the Spanish Armada.
The speech she is supposed to have delivered to her troops on 9 August 1588 has become one of the defining moments in British history.
When was the Tilbury Speech made?
Fear of invasion by Spain remained high in England, especially with the action of the Spanish Armada taking place so close to England's shores. As a result, the ageing Robert Dudley was put in charge of the land army at Tilbury, on the Thames, to the east of London in Essex.
Dudley arranged for Queen Elizabeth to visit Tilbury to announce his appointment and rally the troops on 9 August 1588 . The queen's reported words during that visit has gone down in history. Read it in full below.
Find out more about the Spanish Armada
Elizabeth I's Tilbury speech in full
My loving people, We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety to take heed how we commit ourselves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery. But I assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear. I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust. I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm: to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field. I know already, for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure you on a word of a prince, they shall be duly paid. In the mean time, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over these enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.
Celebrating success
The defeat of the Spanish Armada brought fame, both for England and Queen Elizabeth I. Europe was stunned that such a small island nation had successfully defended itself against such a major aggressor.
While the war with Spain would continue until 1604, the outcome was no longer taken for granted and foreign diplomats began to court England as a possible ally. Elizabeth's popularity soared. The impact of the victory for the nation's self-confidence cannot be overestimated.
England’s success was celebrated in all manners of ways. Songs were written, medals struck, portraits painted and prints published. All lauded Elizabeth as a saviour who stood firm to protect her nation, shared the glory of the success with the English navy and gave thanks for divine intervention: 'God breathed and they were scattered'.
Tudors to Windsors: British Royal Portraits
Elizabeth i quotes.
- ‘We princes are set as it were upon stages in the sight and view of the world.’
- ‘I have no desire to make windows into men’s souls.’
- ‘It would please me best if, at the last, a marble stone shall record that this Queen having lived such and such a time, lived and died a virgin.’
- ‘It is not my desire to live or reign longer than my life and reign shall be for your good. And though you have had, and may have, many mightier and wiser princes sitting in this seat, yet you never had, nor shall have, any that will love you better.
The Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I
The most famous visual expression of the Spanish Armada is The Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I (c. 1588). Although there are several versions of the painting, each one shows Elizabeth flanked by scenes of the defining acts that thwarted Spain’s invasion. On the left of the painting is England’s fleet watching the attack of their fireships, and on the right the Armada is being wrecked in storms on the coasts of Scotland and Ireland. In the centre is Elizabeth in all her glory, with her hand hovering over America on a globe. She is portrayed as living embodiment of England’s triumph and its imperial ambition.
See the Armada Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I
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Speech to the Troops at Tilbury
Speech to the troops at tilbury lyrics.
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The Speech to the Troops at Tilbury was delivered on 9 August Old Style, 19 August New Style 1588 by Queen Elizabeth I of England to the land forces earlier assembled at Tilbury in Essex in preparation for repelling the expected invasion by the Spanish Armada.
Prior to the speech the Armada had been driven from the Strait of Dover in the Battle of Gravelines eleven days earlier, and had by then rounded Scotland on its way home, but troops were still held at ready in case the Spanish army of Alexander Farnese, the Duke of Parma, might yet attempt to invade from Dunkirk; two days later they were discharged. On the day of the speech, the Queen left her bodyguard before the fort at Tilbury and went among her subjects with an escort of six men. Lord Ormonde walked ahead with the Sword of State; he was followed by a page leading the Queen’s charger and another bearing her silver helmet on a cushion; then came the Queen herself, in white with a silver cuirass and mounted on a grey gelding. She was flanked on horseback by her Lieutenant General the Earl of Leicester on the right, and on the left by the Earl of Essex, her Master of the Horse. Sir John Norreys brought up the rear.
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Rhetorical Analysis of Queen Elizabeth I*s Speech at Tilbury
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By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University) Queen Elizabeth I's speech to the troops at Tilbury is among the most famous and iconic speeches in English history. On 9 August 1588, Elizabeth addressed the land forces which had been mobilised at the port of Tilbury in Essex, in preparation for the expected invasion of England by…
Conclusion. Queen Elizabeth's speech to the troops at Tilbury stands as a testament to the power of rhetoric and leadership. Through her skilled use of rhetorical devices and strategies, she not only motivated her troops but also conveyed her resolute commitment to their shared cause. This speech remains a shining example of effective communication, demonstrating how words, when wielded with ...
The Tilbury Speech is а relatively short speech, with just around 311 words. Queen Elizabeth I begins her speech with а reminder of how England was threatened by the Spanish Armada. The very first line - " My loving people, " - sets the tone for the rest of the speech. It instantly creates а bond between Queen Elizabeth I and her ...
The speech of Queen Elizabeth I to the troops at Tilbury before the battle with the troops of Spain is not just a short account of how the queen begs her army to fight for the country. While reading her speech, readers my encounter considerable of emotions and excitement. Belief in God, her army, and victory proves that miracles always come ...
Queen Elizabeth I's Speech to the Troops at Tilbury, 1588. My loving people, We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit ourselves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear, I have always so ...
Introduction. Queen Elizabeth I's speech to the troops at Tilbury in 1588 stands as one of the most iconic moments in English history. Delivered amidst the threat of the Spanish Armada, the speech is celebrated not only for its historical significance but also for its rhetorical mastery.
The Armada Portrait of Elizabeth made to commemorate the defeat of the Spanish Armada (1588), depicted in the background. Elizabeth's international power is symbolised by the hand resting on the globe. Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire.. The Speech to the Troops at Tilbury was delivered on 9 August Old Style (19 August New Style) 1588 by Queen Elizabeth I of England to the land forces earlier ...
Elizabeth I's Tilbury speech was given at a time of great worry and upheaval for England (19 August 1588). Elizabeth I had signed the death warrant for Mary Queen of Scots the year before, and the Spanish used this as an excuse to invade, which they had wanted to do for a long time. Elizabeth was Protestant and Spain was a great Catholic ...
Analysis: "Speech to the Troops at Tilbury". Elizabeth I begins the speech by addressing her subjects as " [her] loving people" (Paragraph 1). In doing so, she invokes a depiction of herself as a loving monarch to her subjects—a recurring theme in her writings and speeches. The very setting in which Elizabeth I gave this speech would ...
she delivered a speech at Tilbury whose phrases, often remarked, were like those of the speech we have. Finally, one of the two surviving texts-BM Harleian MS 6798, ... "Queen Elizabeth's Visit to Tilbury in 1588," English Historical Review 34 (1919): ... rhetorical analysis which follows: Cicero, De oratore, trans. E.W. Sutton and H. Rackham ...
As a result, the ageing Robert Dudley was put in charge of the land army at Tilbury, on the Thames, to the east of London in Essex. Dudley arranged for Queen Elizabeth to visit Tilbury to announce his appointment and rally the troops on 9 August 1588. The queen's reported words during that visit has gone down in history. Read it in full below.
The Speech to the Troops at Tilbury was delivered on 9 August Old Style, 19 August New Style 1588 by Queen Elizabeth I of England to the land forces earlier assembled at… Read More Aug. 15, 1588 ...
The speech is famous for its patriotic rhetoric, defiant attitude, and Elizabeth's defense of her right to rule. Summary This study guide for Queen Elizabeth I's Speech to the Troops at Tilbury offers summary and analysis on themes, symbols, and other literary devices found in the text.
In times of war, a country requires strong and capable leaders to see them through difficult times. In 1588, Queen Elizabeth I of England gave a motivational speech to her troops using the rhetorical devices diction, imagery, and sentence structure to motivate her subjects positively and to instill the fear of the pending invasion in their minds.
Queen Elizabeth I's Speech to the Troops at Tilbury. On August 9, 1588, England was preparing to combat a Spanish invasion. Queen Elizabeth I met the English soldiers at Tilbury in Essex to ...
Speech at Tilbury and Composition. Step 1: Identify the following elements in order to determine the rhetorical situation. Speaker: Audience: Context: PURPOSE: Step 2: Complete the following charts and questions to unpack rhetorical strategies. Appeal and Example. (Appeals: What means does Elizabeth use to.
1. Delivered by Elizabeth to the land forces assembled at Tilbury (Essex) to repel the anticipated invasion of the Spanish Armada, 1588. 2. Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester; he was the queen's favorite, once rumored to be her lover. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. 6 th ed. Vol 1. M.
Queen Elizabeth I is reported to have delivered an inspiring speech when she visited her troops assembled at Tilbury (Essex) as they prepared for battle. During the nine-day battle, the British ships inflicted terrible losses on the Spanish Armada. ... The version of the speech generally accepted as the speech that was given by Queen Elizabeth ...
Context: Queen Elizabeth 1 ruled England from 1558-1603. Here, she addresses her land forces at Tilbury in 1588 under imminent threat of invasion by the Spanish Armada. King Phillip II of Spain and his forces were defeated and never reached the shores of England. In a time when men dominated society, Elizabeth successfully ruled England for 45 ...
Essays for Queen Elizabeth's Speech at Tilbury. Queen Elizabeth's Speech at Tilbury essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Queen Elizabeth's Speech at Tilbury by Queen Elizabeth I. The Intersection of Gender, Religion, and Nationalism in Queen Elizabeth's ...
These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Queen Elizabeth's Speech at Tilbury by Queen Elizabeth I. The Queen Elizabeth's Speech at Tilbury Community Note includes chapter-by-chapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community ...
Download. Queen Elizabeth's speech invigorated the troops and ensured her faith in them and her capability as a leader through the use of repetition, juxtaposition, persuasion, amplification, and diction. In the beginning sentence, Elizabeth includes herself in the fight by using "we" thereby establishing a common ground with the troops.
Essays for Queen Elizabeth's Speech at Tilbury. Queen Elizabeth's Speech at Tilbury essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Queen Elizabeth's Speech at Tilbury by Queen Elizabeth I. The Intersection of Gender, Religion, and Nationalism in Queen Elizabeth's ...