

Thomas Seymour was dangerously ambitious.

Elizabeth went to live with Catherine and her new husband, Thomas Seymour. The death of her father marked the beginning of a period of instability in Elizabeth’s life.Įlizabeth had become close to her last stepmother, Catherine Parr. She was described as a conscientious and talented student.Įlizabeth was 13 years old when Henry died and her brother, Edward, became king. She was tutored by Protestant men such as Roger Ascham, who taught at the University of Cambridge. By the age of 14, she could speak fluent French, Italian, Welsh, Spanish, Latin and some Greek. Her education and development were overseen by a governess, Katherine Ashley, who would become her lifelong companion.Įlizabeth was highly educated. Like all royal children, Elizabeth spent her early years away from court, in palaces such as Hatfield House. Elizabeth even called herself the ‘Lion’s cub’. She had his red hair and strong personality. When she became queen, she would often proudly make reference to her likeness to Henry. Around a year after Anne’s execution, it was reported that Elizabeth asked why she was now being called ‘Lady Elizabeth’, rather than ‘Lady Princess’.ĭespite her mother’s fate, Elizabeth looked up to her father.

Following the death of her mother, Henry declared Elizabeth to be illegitimate. Elizabeth was only two and a half years old when her mother was executed.
