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Elizabeth I’s Christmas Treats
By Madeline | December 22, 2007
When one things of royalty during the Tudor era, they immediately envision rich fabrics, decadent foods, endless balls, and countless mistresses. All accurate assumptions in most cases. However, when one things of a female ruler, the last thing they think of is their sexual curiosities, assuming the woman a virgin (unless wed, of course) with no interest in the opposite sex.
Not true. Especially so in Queen Elizabeth the I’s case. Perhaps it’s because as a youth she was praised for her beauty and her station offered her an excuse to exploit that sexual power or perhaps it’s just what cycled through her blood – after all, the was the daughter of the sensual Anne Boleyn. Regardless, Elizabeth was just as sexually charged as her father, Henry VIII, who actually had more brides than mistresses, but was certainly led by the head hidden behind a codpiece.
Since Elizabeth was such a lady, she took to eating in her private apartments on a regular basis, a practice not uncommon for women as eating is a messy act and to appear such before others was simply embarrassing. However, during the twelve days of Christmas festivities at court (see where the song originates?), she was brought out of her private apartments to eat before the court so that all who wished to see the queen in a natural state of consumption could do so. Regardless of the obligation, Elizabeth was still hesitant to follow through with the task and every year had to be bribed with the presence of handsome young men to serve her. Guess she got dinner and a show, huh?
Guests of the queen were invited to the festivities by invitation only. Not only did you not want to miss it because of all the excitement and gossip there was to be had, it was terribly offensive to the queen to refuse her request except on the condition of extreme illness, child birth, or – of course- death. Once there, all guests were expected to stay; however, the young male courtiers were ordered to stay until the festivities were complete. There’s a women who loves her doting fans.
Hrmm…I wonder what SHE got for Christmas every year? Hehehe
Next time you heard of Elizabeth, I don’t especially want you to think of her as some overindulged pervert, because after all, it is Elizabeth and she certainly did many amazing things during her reign. However, you may not think of her as being so chaste after all despite being the Virgin Queen.
Topics: Tudor Era |
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