ABSTRACT
As has already been stressed, Tudor rule depended in the first place on a full, even fulsome, recognition of the prince as the visible embodiment of the state. Elizabeth maintained this tradition by carefully cultivating her own appeal as a queen and a woman, and by the splendour and ceremonial of her court. She entertained no small opinion of her place, and the words 'my prerogative' were frequently in her mouth. Compared with Henry VIII's calm assurance her attitude almost protested too much, but then she had to overcome the double handicap of a growingly vocal opposition and of her sex. About her capacity to govern opinions have differed greatly; perhaps one may say that no one can be consistently lucky for half a century unless there is more than luck in it. In many ways she was an unpleasant woman. Our age probably objects not at all to her coarseness, elementary sense of humour, or secular temper-all of which tended to distress the Victorians-but still dislikes her unfairness, occasional vindictiveness, frequent rages, and constant vacillation. Like her father she may not have been capable of an original thought, and like her grandfather she may have been a little too fond of treasure; but kings can be great without being great statesmen in their own right, and poor rulers ought to set a value on money. On the whole the light eclipses the shadow. She deserves admiration for her competence, good sense, lack of bigotry, and shrewdness. In any case, she was the queen; of her overwhelming personality, her unceasing personal activity, and her all-pervading presence there must be no doubt. Surrounded by a court as brilliant in show as in intellect, served with a ceremonial which set her permanently apart,l she
completely fulfilled the first duty of monarchy-to appear as the symbol of the nation and the sum of all earthly allegiance.
