Memorials of Queen Elizabeth I in early Stuart London

Abstract

At least thirty–eight memorials were erected to Elizabeth I in London parish churches between c. 1606 and c.1633. Though they have been interpreted as critiques of Jacobean foreign policy, this conclusion is not fully supported by extant evidence regarding when the memorials were commissioned, the parishes in which they were erected, and the inscriptions which they contained. This article suggests that, as commentaries on foreign policy, the memorials were directed more at Charles than James, and could have been designed or interpreted as criticism of Charles's and Buckingham's continental failures or an endorsement of their more militant response to continental events. Further analysis of the memorials' inscriptions and of parochial observance of royal anniversaries indicates a further range of motives, purposes and contemporary interpretations including the commemoration of key events in the Church of England's history, daily reminders to parishioners to thank God for his protection, and the memorialisation of patrons and their families