Here lands as true a subject, being prisoner, as ever landed at these stairs. Before Thee, O God, I speak it, having none other friend but Thee alone.

(Said to have been spoken by Elizabeth when she arrived at the Tower of London as a prisoner)





Much suspected by me,

Nothing proved can be.

(Reputedly carved onto a window at Woodstock Manor, Oxfordshire)





Christ was the word that spake it.

He took the bread and break it;

And what his words did make it

That I believe and take it.

(Reputedly spoken by Elizabeth when questioned on her beliefs on the Eucharist in Mary's reign)





This is the Lord's doing and it is marvellous in our eyes.

(Biblical verse reputedly spoken in Latin by Elizabeth I when she received news of her accession to the throne)





Fortune sometimes doth conquer kings

And rules and reigns on earth and earthly things





I will be as good unto ye as ever a Queen was unto her people. No will in me can lack, neither do I trust shall there lack any power. And persuade yourselves that for the safety and quietness of you all I will not spare if need be to spend my blood.

(Elizabeth to the Lord Mayor and people of London on the eve of her Coronation)





This judgement I have of you, that you will not be corrupted by any manner of gifts, and that you will be faithful to the State; and that without respect of any private will, you will give me the counsel you think best.

(Elizabeth to William Cecil on making him Secretary of State at her accession)







I do consider a multitude doth make rather discord and confusion than good counsel.

(Elizabeth on her decision to keep the Privy Council small)





I shall desire you all, my lords, (chiefly you of the nobility, everyone in his degree and power) to be assistant to me that I, with my ruling, and you with your service, may make a good account to Almighty God and leave some comfort to our posterity on earth.

(Elizabeth at the beginning of her reign)





I have already joined myself in marriage to a husband, namely the kingdom of England.

(Elizabeth to Parliament)





Better beggar woman and single than Queen and married.





Was I not born in this realm? Were my parents born in any foreign country? Is there any cause I should alienate myself from being careful over this country? Is not my kingdom here?

(Elizabeth to Parliament)





We princes are set as it were upon stages in the sight and view of the world.





There is only one Christ, Jesus, one faith. All else is a dispute over trifles.

(Elizabeth's response to the Catholic/Protestant divide)





