This is Elizabeth’s Speech at Tilbury Docks to her Troops rallied Philip of Spain (with his massive Armada) and the Duke of Parma (Philip’s lieutenant who had amassed a large army n the Netherlands – then controlled by Spanish tyranny – for the purposes of invasion). Both seemingly had massed overwhelming odds against her and her tolerant Protestant polity – and thus her own life was in great danger once again and those of her subjects – Philip and Parma would certainly have introduced the Spanish Inquisition to England
My loving people
We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit our selves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear. I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust.
I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.
I know already, for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure you on a word of a prince, they shall be duly paid. In the mean time, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over these enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.
Nearly all historians accept the text as authentic Elizabeth - at two steps removed but still authentic)
Today I have read Erasmus’s short but wonderful tact The Complaint of Peace (which means the quarrel for or argument for Peace). It is well worth reading. Erasmus hated religious strife and saw war as antithetical to the Gospel – but he was not a pacifist. Likewise Elizabeth loved peace and always went the extra mile for peace. She also loved religious tolerance and the persecutions in her reign were very reluctant persecutions and need to be seen in the context of historical circumstances – which were dire – and her lack of enthusiasm for cruelty is unquestioned. She was a remarkable woman.
If anyone wants to see my nuanced thoughts about Luther’s sustained gale of violent scatology in contrast to these two Christian Humanists – I can post them here. But I would need permission