Eve Edwards

Ashley wrote on 01 September 2010:

I really liked Henry VII because he is just such an interesting man and I think he was a little bit crazy too. I also love his daughter, Elizabeth, because she was an absolutely brilliant monarch. And Katherine of Aragon, Henry's first wife, because she was such a strong person, especially in a time period when strength in women was not valued. Even though it would have made her life much easier, she never sacrificed her values.

Stephanie wrote on 25 August 2010:

Lady Jane Grey- I think that Lady Jane Grey is too often remembered as a line in a history book and people forget that she was a real young woman with emotions and feelings. To remain strong when her greedy-for-power father forced her into marrying Guildford Dudley and forcefully put her on the throne of England for a week must have taken a lot of courage. I also admire the fact that she stood firm in her Protestant faith when death was looming. Queen Elizabeth- As the young daughter of King Henry VIII, Elizabeth was ignored and resented when her father married Anne Boleyn and she was forced to look after her baby step sister Mary and treated as if she was a servant. Then, she became the great and beloved Queen who was kind and gracious in letting people being free to follow their own religion. I love the fact that she was so devoted to her country and viewed England as her husband. Katherine of Aragon- I admire Katherine a lot for what she went through before her eventual marriage to Henry VIII and then divorce leading to severe poverty. Coming to England as a young Spanish Princess at 16 to soon become a widow and then live for four years in poverty must have been really hard. I admire the way that she refused up her title to Henry’s new wife Anne Boleyn after she went through so much to get it and it was rightfully hers.

Mikaela wrote on 30 July 2010:

Firstly, Elizabeth I because of being such an excellent monarch and free lady. Secondly, Ann Bolyn for asking to be executed with a french sword, as it shows the proper French courage and dignity. And thirdly and finally Sir Francis Drake, for being both a pirate and a politician.

Stephanie wrote on 30 July 2010:

Elizabeth Tudor as, unlike many other monarchs of a similar time, stated that you could be whatever religion you wanted as long as you attended the Church of England. She also grew up without her mother and yet did not grow up to be resentful. William shakespeare because of his fabulous plays and sayings which as still used regularly today such as 'out of thin air' and also because he was not rich and nor was he a nobleman which in his era hindered you, yet he still made something of himself and became the greatest playright in history. On top of this his son Hamnet died and he was really unhappy but eventually made his name (Or similar) go down in History by writing Hamlet. Lady Jane Grey because I feel so sorry for her. She was forced upon the throne when she didnt really want it and she was so young. Not many days after gainingthe throne she was beheaded becaudse she refused to back out of her protestant beliefs. She was so young.

Joanna Fedewa wrote on 20 July 2010:

My Top three favorite Tudors Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk. Being a king's best friend was a powerful position. I love the fact that he married Henry VIII's sister Mary Tudor without Henry's consent. Catherine of Aragon. While she wasn't Henry's favorite wife, she was his first, and perhaps the one who did the most for her country. While Henry was away at war, Catherine was able to hold the Scotts at bay while being very pregnant.She even rode off to meet them in full armor. If that doesn't show love for one's country, and courage than I don't know what does. Henry the VIII of England. What Henry wanted, Henry got, from a war with France to the birth of a son.

Gemma wrote on 17 July 2010:

William Shakespeare as after reading a midsummer nights dream for the fourth time i have decided he was a genius! (quite witty too). Mary Boleyn because she followed her heart when she met William Stafford, even though she fell out with her sister who was at that point, the Queen of England. Which must have taken courage and she would have had to sacrifice her life as nobility, as he was poor. Finally Henry VIII, because that guy could rule. He didn't take no for an answer, and even though he went about it in the wrong way (executing two wives and announcing two children illegitimate), he had qualties that are to be admired.

SJ wrote on 15 July 2010:

Lady Jane Grey: I first noticed her from the painting by Paul Delaroche. The painting is dramatic yet beautiful, and made me want to find out about her. This highly educated lady had a difficult life controlled by politics, and a short reign that ended badly. Elizabeth I: Grateful to her for having brought about the Golden Age (poetry, music, literature and of course, theater!). Her rallying of her people against the Spanish Armada with a powerful speech is a powerful moment that stands alone. William Shakespeare: How amazing it would have been to hear his poetry and see his plays at their inception during the Elizabethan era. Wonderful today (especially his clever play on words), but what would it have been like to experience it first-hand?

Dari Zlotnick wrote on 15 July 2010:

Catherine of Aragon-She went through a lot of hardships to become queen and when Henry VIII wanted her to give up her title in favor of Anne Bolyn, she refused to relinquish what was rightfully hers. Henry VII-Won the War of the Roses, settling unrest in England, and set the stage for what Henry VIII and Elizabeth were able to accomplish. Elizabeth I-World's first feminist, fought off numerous suitors to maintain her independence, England thrived under her rule.

Sophie Waters wrote on 14 July 2010:

Henry VIII - He may have had six wives and beheaded two of them, but he was a brilliant king and his life makes for interesting reading. Christopher Marlowe - The speculation around whether he wrote some of Shakespeare's plays and his mysterious death make him very intriguing. Walter Raleigh - Is there anything this man didn't do?