On the Committee Stairs is this painting called 'The Commons petitioning Queen Elizabeth'.

Elizabeth I never married, though her prolonged flirtations with the idea of marriage to various diplomatically eligible royal personages occupied many years of her long reign. An unmarried queen made some people uneasy, and Parliament urged Elizabeth to marry for the good of her country, just as an earlier Parliament had urged her sister Mary.

Solomon's painting dramatises a famous episode, when the Virgin Queen, drawing off the ring which had been placed on her finger at Coronation, declaimed dramatically:

With this ring I was wedded to the nation.
- Elizabeth I

The imperious Queen's relationship with Parliament was always a difficult one, in which she harangued and berated the Commons, and they cringingly apologised and placated. On another occasion she made known her feelings about producing an heir to the throne:

Children are uncertain blessings, and it will be enough that a marble stone should declare that a queen, having reigned such a time, lived and died a virgin.
- Elizabeth I

Elizabeth was an heroic and impressive figure, but she was not an easy queen to serve. The painter shows on the faces of the assembled company a certain weariness and resignation. The portraits of many late nineteenth century notables were painted into the crowd, including Henry Asquith, the then Prime Minister, on the left hand side.

Additional Information on
The Commons Petitioning to Queen Elizabeth

Elizabeth was the child of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, and ascended the throne on the death of her elder half sister Mary I. Despite a traumatic early life - her mother being executed when she was only three years old and having been imprisoned by Mary during her reign - Elizabeth displayed a strong sense of purpose and was a wise and well liked monarch. She was red-headed and of average height, regarded as handsome rather than beautiful, and was seen as a graceful and tolerant woman. The fact that she was also mean, vain and impulsive never seemed to worry the numerous suitors she had throughout her reign - although it has been said that she was more in love with the idea of love than marriage, and so she never married and had no children.

Elizabeth restored the Protestant religion in England, closing down all the refounded Catholic monasteries and made herself Supreme Head of a single English church - as her father Henry III had been. She was very like Henry - strong willed and domineering - but unlike him was fair, loyal and respectful of her servants. The two most important appointments in her reign were held by William Cecil and Matthew Parker. Cecil was Elizabeth's principle adviser and minister for over forty years, creating important financial reforms and supporting the Protestant cause in Europe. Parker was the Archbishop of Canterbury, and helped to establish a moderate Church of England after Mary's persecutions.

Elizabeth's reign saw a flowering of the arts, of exploration and invention. Painters, musicians and poets were all welcomed at her court, and the period also gave rise to some of the greatest of English writers e.g. Shakespeare and Marlowe. Inventions such as the flush lavatory and water pumpage systems were introduced to some London houses. In 1581 Sir Francis Drake was knighted after completing the first English round the world voyage - travel greatly increased English trade and prosperity during this period. Towards the end of her reign, Elizabeth had to contend with the war fleets, the Armadas, sent by King Philip of Spain to attack England. However, the English forces commanded by Drake easily defeated them.

QUOTATIONS

Queen Elizabeth is the greatest of English, perhaps of all modern sovereigns. In a period remarkable for long and sanguinary wars, she made her name respected abroad without waste of blood or treasure; and, in a time of great political ferment, she maintained the most absolute authority at home, without any loss of the affections of her people. She obtained glory without conquest, and unlimited power without odium.
- Lord John Russell, The English Government and Constitution.

When she smiled, it was pure sunshine, that everyone did choose to bask in, if they could; but anon came a storm from a sudden gathering of clouds, and the thunder fell in wondrous manner on all alike.
- Sir John Harrington, Nugae Antiquae.

Her teeth are very yellow and unequal. Many of them are missing so that one cannot understand her easily when she speaks quickly.
- André Hurault, reporting to Henry IV of France, 1597.

She did fish for men's souls, and had so sweet a bait that no one could escape her network.
- Sir Christopher Hatton.