The date is December 1581. Elizabeth is considering her marriage options. She has just dumped the Duke of Alencon and thinks she needs some help to secure a worthy match.

The descriptions that Elizabeth gives for her profile are all true. She was indeed a virgo. She did say that she did not wish to be a nursemaid to her husband or a child out of swaddling clothes. She did want someone that didn't sit at home all day among the cinders. She really was worried about her husband's nationality for the reasons stated.

The smallpox did indeed force her hand, but really, they would always have wanted her to marry well. She really did say that she hated advice from unbridled persons (meaning those that were themselves unmarried, saying how great marriage was!) and she did consider marriage a prison. The lute whacking cod piece game is purely invention!

Her speech about how women cannot live without marriage is a direct quote. As is the speech about the marble stone. She did say about Thomas Seymour that he had much wit and very little judgement. All her suitors mentioned (and their gifts and circumstances) are real. Including the tickling story of Robert Dudley! Her comment about loving her winding sheet is a direct quote.

She really did call the Duke her Frog. As well as having to pay him £60,000 to go away.

If you want to find out more about Elizabeth, check out the sources and places below: