One Queen to Rule Them All

So this weekend I indulged my obsession with the Tudor dynasty by taking in the latest exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.

Queen Elizabeth I and Her People not only looks at the regal Queen herself, but it also explores the people who lived and worked in the Elizabethan court. We are introduced to key players such as the explorer Sir Walter Rayleigh through to merchants and writers via their portraits. 

The Elizabethan period was deemed a prosperous and adventurous time. Not only were the wealthy thriving, but cities were expanding and opportunities were opening up for many people in Elizabethan society. We begin to see merchants, butchers and brewers establish pivotal roles in the flourishing of the economy in the 16th Century.

It always fascinates me how curators take the artefact's or works of arts they already have and how they create natural links to weave a story. Normally, these portraits would be on display in different areas and grouped according to rank or profession, but once they are placed together you understand the significant role each person played in making Elizabeth's reign a success.

I was especially pleased to see a portrait of Bess the Countess of Shrewsbury. She is an extraordinary woman who outlived four husbands and ended up as the second richest woman in the Elizabethan era - second to Elizabeth I of course. This is what makes this exhibition all the more interesting and enticing as it invites visitors to learn more about the people around the Queen. Yes, everyone knows about Queen Elizabeth, but do they know who were her favourites? Who fell out of her favour? Did they win it back or live a life banished from court? Even I have to confess there were quite a few things I didn't know.

No trip to the National Portrait Gallery is complete without running up the escalator to pay my respects to Anne Boleyn and what is that I spy on my way down to leave? A Vivien Leigh exhibition yet to be opened to the public. Why I just may find myself back at the gallery next week!

Elizabeth I and Her People runs till 5th January. For more information or to get tickets visit www.npg.org.uk.

Now below are some famous Elizabethans, but can you guess who they are?