Speech to the Troops at Tilbury facts for kids
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The Speech to the Troops at Tilbury was a famous speech given by Queen Elizabeth I of England. She delivered it on August 9, 1588, to her soldiers gathered at Tilbury in Essex. These troops were ready to defend England from an attack by the Spanish Armada.
Even though the Spanish fleet had already been defeated in the Battle of Gravelines eleven days earlier, the English army stayed ready. They were prepared in case the Spanish army, led by Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, tried to invade from Dunkirk. Two days after the speech, the soldiers were sent home.
On the day of the speech, Queen Elizabeth showed great courage. She left her bodyguards and rode among her soldiers with only six escorts. Lord Ormonde carried the Sword of State in front of her. A page led her horse, and another carried her silver helmet on a cushion. The Queen herself rode a grey horse, wearing a white dress and a silver cuirass (body armour). She was joined by her lieutenant general, the Earl of Leicester, on her right, and the Earl of Essex on her left. Sir John Norreys rode at the back.
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What Was the Tilbury Speech?
The most well-known version of the speech comes from a letter written by Leonel Sharp. Sharp was with the Earl of Leicester at Tilbury during the threat from the Armada. He later became a chaplain.
Sharp wrote that the Queen rode through her army "as armed Pallas" (like the Greek goddess of war). She was joined by important noblemen like Leicester, Essex, and Norris. He said she gave an "excellent oration" (a great speech) to her army. Sharp claimed, "No man hath it but myself, and such as I have given it to." This version was published in 1654. A very old copy of this speech is also kept in the Harleian Collection at the British Library.
Is the Speech Real?
Many historians believe that Leonel Sharp's version of the speech is real. Historian J. E. Neale said there was "no serious reason for rejecting the speech." He felt that some parts sounded just like Queen Elizabeth.
Other historians who agree it's real include Mandell Creighton, Garrett Mattingly, Patrick Collinson, Wallace T. MacCaffrey, Lady Anne Somerset, Antonia Fraser, Alison Weir, Christopher Haigh, Simon Schama, David Starkey, and Robert Hutchinson.
Janet M. Green, a scholar, wrote in 1997 that there is strong proof the speech is real. She noted that the way it's written is very similar to Elizabeth's other speeches. Also, many people at the time mentioned her giving a speech at Tilbury with phrases like those in Sharp's version.
Historian David Loades mentioned that we don't know for sure if she used these exact words, but they "have an authentic, theatrical ring." However, a few historians, like Miller Christy and Susan Frye, have questioned if it's truly authentic.
How Did Elizabeth Look at Tilbury?
Queen Elizabeth's appearance at Tilbury was very important. It was almost as significant as the speech itself. Many people described her that day, and their accounts are similar. They often mention her wearing a feathered helmet and steel armour over a white velvet gown. She carried a gold and silver stick, or baton, and rode a white horse.
Historian J. E. Neale described her as having "princely resolution and more than feminine courage." He said she "passed like some Amazonian empress through all her army." This image reminded people of powerful figures from stories and myths.
One figure she resembled was Pallas Athena, the Greek goddess of war, who was often shown with a helmet and armour. Another was Britomart, a heroic character in Edmund Spenser's famous poem, The Faerie Queene. Spenser wrote Britomart to represent Queen Elizabeth I. By wearing armour, Elizabeth showed her people that she was ready to fight for them and alongside them.
What Did Elizabeth Say in Her Speech?
After riding among her troops, Elizabeth gave her speech. Leonel Sharp's version is thought to be the most accurate. It shows her clever way of speaking.
In the past, Elizabeth had gone against what people expected of women. She chose not to marry or have children, deciding to rule England alone. In the most famous part of her speech, she practically said she was both King and Queen of England: "I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a King of England too."
While claiming great power, she also admitted her physical weakness. She spoke to her soldiers and subjects with love, treating them as equals.
Elizabeth also called upon God in her speech. She showed strong faith in herself and her people. She presented Spain and the Pope as wrong, calling them "tyrants" and "enemies" of both herself and England.
If this speech is truly the one given at Tilbury, it's important to know that Elizabeth wrote it herself. She was a talented writer and wrote many of her own speeches and poems.
Other Versions of the Speech
Another version of the speech was written down in 1612 by William Leigh.
A third version appeared in a book called Elizabetha Triumphans, published in 1588 by James Aske. This version is written as a poem:
Their loyal hearts to us their lawful Queen.
For sure we are that none beneath the heavens
Have readier subjects to defend their right:
Which happiness we count to us as chief.
And though of love their duties crave no less
Yet say to them that we in like regard
And estimate of this their dearest zeal
(In time of need shall ever call them forth
To dare in field their fierce and cruel foes)
Will be ourself their noted General
Ne dear at all to us shall be our life,
Ne palaces or Castles huge of stone
Shall hold as then our presence from their view:
But in the midst and very heart of them
Bellona-like we mean as them to march;
On common lot of gain or loss to both
They well shall see we recke shall then betide.
And as for honour with most large rewards,
Let them not care they common there shall be:
The meanest man who shall deserve a might,
A mountain shall for his desart receive.
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…
Summary of the Speech
A short summary of the speech can be found in a book by Lewes Lewkenor called The Estate of English Fugitives, written in 1595. This book also talks about the Spanish Armada.
