American History Tellers - History Daily: The Death of Queen Elizabeth I

Episode Date: March 24, 2025

March 24, 1603. After a reign of 44 years, Queen Elizabeth I of England dies, bringing the Tudor dynasty to an end.You can listen ad-free in the Wondery or Amazon Music app. Or for all that and more, go to IntoHistory.comHistory Daily is a co-production of Airship and Noiser.Go to HistoryDaily.com for more history, daily.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's the early hours of the morning on March 24, 1603. An English nobleman gallops through the dark streets of London, his spurs digging into his horse's flanks. Perspiration glistens on the steed's muscular body, but the nobleman doesn't dare slow down. His future, and the future of England, depends on it. The turrets of Richmond Palace loom up ahead, black against an inky blue sky. The nobleman approaches the gates and announces himself as Sir Robert

Carey, one of Queen Elizabeth's closest advisors. The guard lets him through. Inside the palace, Carey rushes through candlelit corridors until he arrives outside the royal bedchamber. The Queen's ladies-in-waiting huddle near the door, their cheeks streaked with tears. Seeing their grief-stricken faces, Kerry realizes the reports he received are true. Queen Elizabeth I is dead. Kerry knows her closest living relative and heir, James VI of Scotland, is 400 miles away in Edinburgh. Carrie also knows that the first person to bring James the news of Elizabeth's death

will likely receive a considerable reward. So Carrie turns and hurries back the way he came. But just as he reaches the palace doors, Cary finds himself surrounded by 20 noblemen, all members of the Queen's privy council and looking at Cary with venomous disdain. Among them is the Queen's foremost advisor, Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury. Cecil knows where Cary is headed and he has no intention of letting him arrive. In the weeks running up to the Queen's death, Cecil and the privvy Council created a detailed plan for the peaceful transfer of power from one monarch to the next. Their plan did not involve an opportunist like Robert Cary riding

out on his own to curry favor with the new king. So they trapped Cary in the palace where he will remain under the watchful eye of guards. For now, Kerry is stymied. His rival Cecil has gained the upper hand in the struggle that will unfold in the wake of Elizabeth's death, as competing nobles seek to preserve their status in the new court of King James. During her 45-year reign, Elizabeth I emerged as one of England's most successful monarchs, winning the people's affection by defeating foreign enemies and by preserving peace in a nation bitterly divided between Protestants and Catholics. But one major shortcoming of Elizabeth's reign will loom large at the time of her death, her failure to produce an heir. Without a clear line of succession, there is no knowing what the

future holds for England or her people when Queen Elizabeth draws her final breath on March 24th, 1603. You just realized your business needed to hire someone like yesterday. With Indeed, there's no need to stress. You can find amazing candidates fast using sponsored jobs. With sponsored jobs, your post jumps to the top of the page for your relevant candidates, so you can reach the people you want faster. And just how fast is Indeed? In the minute I've been talking to you, 23 hires were made on Indeed, according to Indeed data worldwide. There's no need to wait any longer. Speed up your hiring right now with Indeed, and listeners of this show will get a $100 sponsored job credit

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And yeah, the news can feel like a lot on any given day. But you just can't ignore las noticias when important world changing events are happening. So that is where the Up First podcast comes in. Every single morning in under 15 minutes, we take the news and boil it down to three essential stories. Listen to the Up First podcast from NPR.

From Noiser and Airship, I'm Lindsey Graham, and this is History Daily. History is made every day. On this podcast, every day, we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is March 24th, 1603, the death of Queen Elizabeth I. It's February 1559 in London, 44 years before the death of Queen Elizabeth I.

On a cold winter's morning in the Palace of Westminster, members of parliament have assembled to discuss a most pressing matter, finding a husband for the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth I. Since Elizabeth's coronation last year, the 26-year-old's lack of an heir has become a cause of concern. Without a child to inherit the throne, the future of the realm is uncertain, and after years of political and religious turmoil in England, the last thing parliament wants is more uncertainty. The troubles began some 25 years ago when Elizabeth's father, King Henry VIII, made England not a Roman Catholic nation but a Protestant one. Henry wanted a divorce from his

first wife, but the Roman Catholic Church wouldn't allow it, so Henry split from Rome, divorced her, and remarried a woman named Anne Boleyn, who later gave birth to their daughter, Elizabeth. Henry VIII's actions sparked a period of religious upheaval known as the English Reformation. Soon, all the powerful positions within the Church and government were filled by Protestants, but there were still plenty of Catholics in England who fell persecuted by these reforms. When Henry's daughter Elizabeth came to power in 1558, she tried to appease these Catholics by introducing a more moderate form of Protestantism. And to an extent, it worked.

However, Elizabeth's peacekeeping efforts will all be for nothing if she dies without an heir. At present, the next in line to the crown is Elizabeth's cousin, Mary, the Queen of Scotland. Mary is a staunch Catholic. If she becomes Queen, England will most likely erupt into civil war. Parliament's solution is to find Elizabeth a husband with whom she can produce an heir. This would cement the Protestant grip on the crown and preserve a line of succession for Elizabeth's so-called Tudor dynasty.

So in February 1559, Parliament sends a delegation to petition Elizabeth to consider the question of marriage. The delegates arrive at Richmond Palace where they kneel before the monarch. Elizabeth is closed resplendently in a jewel encrusted gown. Behind her snow-white makeup, the young queen smiles. She thanks the delegates for the visit but politely declines their request. Elizabeth is fiercely independent and politically shrewd. She knows that if she were to marry, her husband would effectively rule through her, limiting her power. Furthermore, by selecting one suitor, she would likely arouse jealousy in others, thus opening up the possibility of rebellion.

Elizabeth believes that to preserve national stability, she must remain unmarried. But it's not an easy decision. Elizabeth is beautiful and intelligent. She has no shortage of handsome suitors, some of whom she develops genuine feelings for. Elizabeth grows especially fond of one nobleman, Lord Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. Marrying Dudley would bring her great joy, but Elizabeth is not willing to jeopardize the security of the realm for the sake of her own happiness. For the men in Parliament, the notion that Elizabeth should reign without a husband is unthinkable. It contravenes their deep-rooted ideas about the primary role of women as child bearers and caregivers.

So short of giving birth to a child, many in Parliament want Elizabeth to at least name an heir. In response, the Queen angrily replies that at this present it is not convenient to name a successor, nor never shall be without some peril unto you and certain danger unto me. Elizabeth is shrewd. She knows that by appointing an heir she opens herself up to plots of insurrection, as factions might rally around her successor and oust her from power. So instead she remains silent, ruling as a powerful single woman in a world dominated by men. But it will soon become clear that the most imminent threat to Elizabeth's power does not come from a man, but a woman. Her own cousin, and next in line to the throne,

Mary, Queen of Scots. her own cousin, and next in line to the throne, Mary, Queen of Scots. It's February 1st, 1587. Queen Elizabeth I, age 53, sits in a drawing room in Richmond Palace. The Queen's mood is solemn. She has recently learned that a group of Catholic noblemen have been conspiring to have her killed and install her cousin, Mary, Queen Queen of Scots on the English throne. Elizabeth hoped that Mary no longer posed a threat to her power. Decades back, following a Protestant revolt in Scotland, the Catholic Mary was forced to abdicate the Scottish throne and flee to England. After she arrived on English shores, Elizabeth had her arrested to neutralize any threat of Mary plotting against her. But while in captivity, Mary became a hero to many English Catholics.

In their eyes, Mary is the rightful Queen of England. Elizabeth is a Protestant heretic. Soon, whispers of Catholic plots against Elizabeth began to swirl. Elizabeth dismissed most of them, but eventually her spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham, showed Elizabeth damning letters written by Mary to her Catholic conspirators. In these letters, Mary consented to the Queen's assassination. After reading Mary's treasonous words, Elizabeth was quick to execute the other conspirators,

but she's been reluctant to sign Mary's death warrant. Mary is, after all, family. Additionally, Elizabeth fears that killing Mary will only lead to bigger problems, a retaliation from Catholic nations in Europe. But her advisors, including Frances Waldingham, encourage her relentlessly to rid the country of the troublesome Scot. So finally, the Queen signs the order. Seven days later, on February 8th, Mary, Queen of Scots, is executed. Once the axe has fallen, the executioner grabs her severed head, holds it aloft and shouts,

God save Queen Elizabeth. With her greatest rival dispatched, Elizabeth's power seems undisputed and unimpeachable. But more trouble is coming to England. Mary's execution will soon incite a war. Hey everybody, we have some exciting news that we want to share. If you want to go on an adventure with Generation Y, we'd love for you to join us. January 26th through the 30th, 2026, we'll be sailing from Miami to the Bahamas on Wondry's first ever True Crime Cruise aboard the Norwegian Joy. Aaron and I will be there to chat, hang out, dive into all things true crime and we're

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And though she appears confident and eager to meet the challenge before her, the Queen harbors nervous thoughts. The execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, outraged the Catholic King of Spain, Francis II. Francis believes Mary is a martyr who was wrongfully executed by Protestant criminals. Shortly after Mary's death, Francis began plotting to oust Elizabeth and restore Catholicism to England. So in May 1588, he sent a fleet of 130 warships to invade. But before this Spanish armada reached English shores, it was met by England's Navy. A ferocious sea battle commenced, and just yesterday, at the Battle of Graveline, a fortuitous

wind scattered the Spanish ships, and the English forces emerged victorious. The English then fell back to defend their coast from the expected ground invasion. Now Queen Elizabeth rides before her troops, her red hair blazing beneath her helmet. She cries out, I am come amongst you not for my recreation, but for being resolved in the midst and heat of battle to lay down my life for my God, my kingdom and my people. Her words are met with the rattle of swords and the cries of God save the Queen. Elizabeth waits for the noise to die down. Then she continues, her voice resonant with conviction.

I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king. An even louder roar goes up. Elizabeth turns to face the horizon, where the black sails of her enemy ships threaten to appear at any moment. But no such invasion comes. Elizabeth and her general soon learn that the Spanish fleet has limped back to Spain

and England celebrates a great victory over its Catholic enemies. For Elizabeth, the news of the defeat of the Spanish Armada makes for great propaganda. The gale that scattered the Spanish ships is dubbed the Protestant Wind and is held as proof that God is on the Protestant side. Elizabeth is carried through the crowded streets of London on a golden litter, a victory procession rivaling her own coronation in terms of splendor and extravagance. The people of England celebrate her as an almost immortal figure, a mythical virgin queen. And the years following the Armada's defeat will be remembered as a golden age for Elizabeth's reign and for England. The theatre and the arts will flourish,

with figures such as Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare emerging as the period's leading literary lights. In 1596, the poet Edmund Spencer writes The Fairy Queen, an epic poem paying homage to Elizabeth. Spencer refers to her as Gloriana, an eternally youthful monarch whose beauty and wisdom are unparalleled. But in truth, by the dawn of the 1600s, Elizabeth's beauty has faded. Her hair has almost entirely fallen out. Her teeth are black and rotten from a lifelong sugar habit. She cakes her face with white makeup, which cracks around the corners of her mouth and eyes. Despite the patriotic propaganda, Elizabeth

is not immortal, and as she approaches 70, her health is in rapid decline. She has reigned for over 40 years, bringing peace and stability to a nation beset with religious discord. Many in England cannot envision a world in which Elizabeth is not their queen. And yet there are some who are doing exactly that. The queen's closest advisors realize that her reign will soon be over. Their attention turns to the question of succession. Members of the Privy Council, men like Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury, and Sir Robert Carey, Earl of Monmouth, begin angling to secure positions of power so as not to lose influence when Elizabeth passes.

Cecil begins writing secretive letters to Elizabeth's closest living relative, James VI of Scotland, son of her old enemy, Mary, Queen of Scots. Cecil informs James of Elizabeth's condition, effectively lining him up to succeed the Ailing Queen. of Elizabeth's condition, effectively lining him up to succeed the ailing queen. But no decisive action can be taken until the queen actually names her successor. And by March 1603, this is looking increasingly unlikely. Elizabeth's condition has worsened. Her throat is now swollen and she is unable to speak. In her final days, Cecil, Carrie, and her other advisors crowd around her sickbed, their eyes red from weeping, their legs stiff from kneeling, praying for the Queen to speak.

But she never does. With time running out, Cecil makes a move. He suggests James VI as a potential heir to the throne. In response, Queen Elizabeth manages to raise a withered hand in a gesture of approval. Soon Elizabeth will die childless, but with her successor named, her death will trigger a scramble between her former advisors, all jockeying to secure positions of power in the court of the new king. Have you ever wondered how a circus performer could become the most powerful woman in the

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How Do You Cope is brought to you by Audible, who make it easy to embark on a wellness journey that fits your life, with thousands of audiobooks, guided meditations and motivational series. It's early morning on March 24, 1603. Sir Robert Carey prowls the dark corridors of Richmond Palace, searching for an unguarded exit. Hours ago, Queen Elizabeth I drew her final breath. After her death, Kerry intended to ride to Scotland to inform James of his succession, thus couriering favor with the monarch and guaranteeing himself a position of power.

But his plan was derailed. Kerry's rival Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury, found out about his scheme and forbade him from leaving the palace. Cecil is the senior noble, with executive authority over the royal guards. If Cary wants to escape the confounds of the palace, he will have to do so by stealth. But lucky for Cary, a familial connection comes in handy. His elder brother, Henry, the first baron of Hunsden, is also in the palace. Henry stands to gain from his brother securing favor with James. And Henry holds more authority than his younger brother. So he escorts Carrie to the palace gates

and orders the guards to let him through. On his way out of Richmond Palace, Carrie passes by a low window. A woman leans out. It's Carrie's sister, Lady Philadelphia's scroll. As Carrie rides by, Philadelphia throws him something. A ring, pried from the dead finger of Elizabeth I moments before. This ring will prove to James VI that the Queen

is dead, that the crown now belongs to him. With the ring in hand, Kerry gallops into the night, bound for Scotland. By the time Cecil and the other lords realize he's gone, it's too late. Kerry completes the 400-mile journey in a remarkable three days. He reaches Edinburgh in the dead of night. Exhausted and disheveled, Kerry staggers into Holyrood Palace and kneels before James, presenting him with Elizabeth's ring, and addressing him for the first time ever as King James I of England. Kerry's efforts are duly rewarded. The King offers him exactly what Kerry wanted, a prestigious position in the new court.

James' succession marks the end of the Tudor dynasty and the beginning of the Stuart period, one of the most turbulent in British history. Following Elizabeth's death, England would be plunged into a chaotic era, one characterized by gunpowder plots, civil wars, and great plagues, leaving many in the country longing for the strong, wise leadership of Queen Elizabeth I, which ended with her death on March 24, 1603. Next, on History Daily, March 25, 1911, a fire breaks out at a factory in New York City killing 146 garment workers trapped inside.

From Noiser and Airship, this is History Daily. Hosted, edited, and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham. Audio editing by Derek Barron. Sound design by Misha Stanton. Music by Lindsey Graham. This episode is written and researched by Joe Viner. Executive producers are Stephen Walters for Airship, and Pascal Hughes for Noiser. If you like American History Tellers, you can binge all episodes early and ad-free right now by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts.

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