"Indeed, Queen Elizabeth was capable of making her Privy Council and parliaments wait an agonizingly long time while she made up her mind. In some crucial cases (marriage, what to do about Mary Queen of Scots), it could be argued that she never did so. But it could also be argued that she had been taught by hard experience the dangers of committing herself too early or too definitely. After all, Elizabeth had grown up in a perilous environment in which overt commitment to one side or the other- in politics or religion- could lead to disgrace, even death. As queen, she ruled a country which was seemingly at the mercy of bigger, more powerful neighbors. What often struck her subjects (and later male historians) as indecisiveness now looks like prudence, even a mastery of herself and of the situation at hand. In particular she was a virtuoso at playing two sides off each other, so that they would not turn against her- or England."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Poets from EnglandTranslators from EnglandAnglicans from the United KingdomWomen from EnglandMonarchs from England
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Richard Bucholz and Newton Key, Early Modern England, 1485-1714: A Narrative History (2009), p. 118
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Elizabeth_I_of_England
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Elizabeth I of England
136 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Elizabeth I of England →
Related Quotes
"'Twas God the Word that spake it, He took the Bread and brake it: And what that Word did make it, That I believe and …"
"Much suspected by me, Nothing proved can be, Quoth Elizabeth prisoner."
"This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes."
"I am already bound unto an husband, which is the kingdom of England... for every one of you, and as many as are Engli…"
"Our realm and subjects have been long wanderers, walking astray, whilst they were under the tuition of Romish pastors…"
"And whereas you would frighten us, by telling how emperors, kings, and princes have owned the bishop of Rome's author…"
"But to grant them churches, wherein they might celebrate mass, and have congregations and public assemblies, she coul…"
"[I] would rather be a beggar and single than a queen and married."
"Like as no one thing, in the government and charge committed unto us by the favourable goodness of Almighty God, doth…"
"Master Tyrwhit and others have told me that there goeth rumors abroad which be greatly both against mine honor and ho…"