Queen Elizabeth's Tilbury Speech

The Spanish infest the English Channel. Upon a hill in Tilbury, Queen Elizabeth prepares her army for a main land conflict. The Spanish Armada floats upon the horizon, ready for naval warfare. Daunted by the Spanish forces, the troops of Great Britain are edgy and alarmed. As the protector of her people, Queen Elizabeth instills confidence and strength into the British army with the speech of Tilbury.

In order to inspire and reinforce courage, Queen Elizabeth empowers her troops with her vows as a queen and as a warrior. The most important aspect of the Tilbury speech is the promise Queen Elizabeth makes to her people. Standing before the troops, Queen Elizabeth says, “…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.” Her words strike at the hearts of her troops, knowing that she will fight and die alongside them without hesitation. By putting her own life and honor on the line in order to protect the people, the nation, and their God, Queen Elizabeth inspires courage and nationalism into her soldiers. The use of subjective diction, especially focused on “people” and “blood” serves her idea of becoming a martyr in order to protect what she holds dear. Her extensive description of her martyrdom also serves as vivid imagery. Powered by her words, the soldiers see themselves fighting side-by-side with their warrior queen, to shed blood, sweat, and tears together. Juxtaposing her statements, Queen Elizabeth compares her feminine physique with her spirit and tenacity of a man. The queen succeeds in creating a stalwart-spirited force amongst her men. A woman’s word is her obligation, and Queen Elizabeth is ready to consummate her obligations to her kingdom, her God, and especially her people.
In the simplest form, the Tilbury speech serves as an inspiration to fight against all odds.

The superficial aspect is the disadvantaged British military in comparison to the superfluous Spanish fleet. The British army at Tilbury is ill-prepared and out of its waters, literally. The strongest—and only fearsome military power—military branch of Britain is the navy, which could not be organized in time. Not only that, but the soldiers are essentially minute men, farmers and clerks who answer the dire call to arms. If it were not for the misfortune of the Spanish fleets and terrible conditions, England would have drowned in their own blood. Nevertheless, the main facet is the conflict regarding Queen Elizabeth’s position and her gender. A woman in a man’s profession is often looked down upon, judged before the event is truly witnessed. However, it is evident that Queen Elizabeth is the right woman for the occupation of a monarch. She stands with her soldiers as a woman, but in essence, all that stand on Tilbury hills are the combative spirits of men. There, on Tilbury hill, Queen Elizabeth stands prepared to die for her country and her people. This act of nationalism and selflessness is what pierces the judgmental heart of man, and it is evident that Queen Elizabeth is capable of being a gracious monarch as proficiently as a man could. Upon the hill of Tilbury, a woman and her army stand prepared to fight against all

odds.
Upon the precipice of battle, Queen Elizabeth is prepared to fight and fall with her men. The Tilbury speech is a phenomenal expression of action that inspires the strength and courage of the masses. Queen Elizabeth creates this eloquent speech with electrifying imagery that lights a fire in the hearts of her men and leaves them in a motivated state. However, not only does the speech galvanize the soldiers before and beside her, but it leaves it’s marking in history for future leaders to follow. Queen Elizabeth’s Tilbury speech remains as a substantial work of inspiration and a great example of a morale boost then and even to those after her era.