Transcripts
Queen Elizabeth I: The Tilbury Speech

Queen Elizabeth I: The Tilbury Speech

The Speech to the Troops at Tilbury was delivered on 19 August 1588 by Queen Elizabeth I of England. Read the transcript here.

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Speaker 1 (00:14):

My loving people, we have been persuaded by some that we are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit ourselves 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 of that. Under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal heart and good will of my subjects. And therefore, I am come amongst you at this time, not as for my recreation or sport, but being resolved in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all. To lay down for my God, and for my kingdom and for my people, my honor and my blood, even the dust. I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart of a king, and the king of England too.

(01:21)
And think foul scorn that Parma or Spain or any prince of Europe should dare to invade the border of my realms, to which rather than any dishonor should grow by me. I myself will take up arms. I myself will be your general, judge and rewarder for every one of your virtues in the field. I know already, by your forwardness, that you have deserved rewards and crowns and we do assure you on the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid to you. In the mean, my Lieutenant General shall be in my stead, then whom never prince commanded a more noble and worthy subject, not doubting by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp and by your valor in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over the enemies of my God, my kingdom, and of my people.

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