Elizabeth I: A speech for hard times
Dana Rubin
Empowering a speak-out culture. Strong Voice | Strong World 📚 speaking 📣 workshops🎙️consulting
In her column in The Wall Street Journal this week, speechwriter Peggy Noonan says people have been asking her for an example of a powerful and inspiring speech for hard times.
Her top candidate: Elizabeth I's speech to her troops at Tilbury on August 8, 1588.
English militia was mustered there, 25 miles east of London, near where the Thames flows into the English Channel — in anticipation of an attack by the Spaniards.
This is one of Elizabeth's most celebrated speeches, delivered it a time of tremendous upheaval in England. She appeals to the nation's sense of patriotism, loyalty, and faith.
"To Her Troops at Tilbury"
My loving people,
We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit our selves 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, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and a king of England too . . .
I know 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, 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.
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My name is Dana Rubin, and I help women put their ideas into the world powerfully and persuasively. I’m the founder of The Speaking While Female Speech Bank, and the editor of the forthcoming Speaking While Female: 50 Extraordinary Speeches by American Women (Real Clear | Fall 2021).
I'm opening up a discussion about the role of women’s public speech in history and invite you to take part. We need to hear the best ideas from everyone to address our toughest problems — so let's improve this world together.
© 2020 Dana Rubin
Director at Discover Space UK
3yRead |"Queen Elizabeth's Visit to Tilbury in 1588, MILLER CHRISTY, The English Historical Review, Volume XXXIV, Issue CXXXIII, January 1919" An old account and does doubt some of the historical "facts" around this speech.
Consultant Governance and Advisory, Policy development and implementation
3yAn amazing Queen who put her people's welfare first
Director | Cinematographer
4yA remarkable woman who seems both antiquated and contemporary at the same time. Thank you.
Freelance performer, educator and writer on Wangal country. #forloveofgaia #ulurustatementfromtheheart #alwayswasalwayswillbe #YES23
4y...and the Irish Grainne ni Mhaille, head of her dynasty, met up with QE1 to negotiate the release of prisoners and return of her property.
Experienced financial and nonprofit executive
4yDana I love your series. Queen Elizabeth I is one of my favorite people, and when I grew up the only thing they taught us about her was that she was ‘neurotic’ for not marrying! Not that she was a brilliant strategic ruler that kept England safe and prosperous for decades. And that if she married she would probably lose power or drive the country into civil war. Thanks also for other greats like Shirley Chisholm.