Speech to the Troops at Tilbury

Elizabeth I begins the speech by addressing her subjects as “[her] loving people” (Paragraph 1). In doing so, she invokes a depiction of herself as a loving monarch to her subjects—a recurring theme in her writings and speeches. The very setting in which Elizabeth I gave this speech would have underscored this close connection between monarch and subjects. In visiting her troops at Tilbury, she downplayed the danger of any “treachery” in favor of being among her subjects, whom she calls “faithful and loving” (Paragraph 2). Likewise, she says she comes to Tilbury to “live and die amongst [them]” (Paragraph 3), mirroring the sacrifices the men are about to make by “lay[ing] down for [her] God, and for [her] kingdom, and [her] people, [her] honor and [her] blood” (Paragraph 3). Although she is royal, she portrays herself as one of the people who might die for God and England.

Elizabeth mentions God several times in the speech in an important reminder of the hierarchy they all take part in: As her subjects answer to her as their queen, she answers to God. Nevertheless, the overall tone is casual—almost cheerful—as she remarks, “I am come amongst you” (Paragraph 3), puncturing the pomp of her title and again putting herself on a level playing field with her subjects.