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Elizabeth I was a remarkably bright queen, who had a love of learning and received an exemplary education. Although her childhood became tremulous after the death of her mother in 1536, when her father, Henry VIII, married his sixth wife, Catherine Parr, Elizabeth I was presented with noble educational opportunities. Among aristocratic families of England it was commonplace to provide daughters with the same level of education as sons. Elizabeth was fortunate to receive schooling on the same calibre as that of her half-brother, Edward. A series of admired tutors were called upon to help propel Elizabeth's education. These great minds, many from Cambridge University, laid the foundations for an intellectual gifted future queen. Much credit can be given to Elizabeth's first tutor and governess, Katherine Champernowne, whom Elizabeth referred to as Kat. Having been well-educated herself, Kat taught Elizabeth I in the areas of language, religion, grammar, rhetoric, logic, philosophy, literature, geography, history, mathematics and astronomy. This wide range of scholarly lessons, divided between morning and afternoon sessions, was standard curriculum for children born of royalty. With quick wit and determination, Elizabeth progressed in her studies rapidly, and by the age of five or six, had a confident grasp of reading and writing far beyond her years. The rate at which Elizabeth mastered her lessons began challenging Kat's level of instruction. Edward's tutors were quick to respond to Elizabeth's lively requests for assistance. Roger Ascham, a decorated Cambridge graduate, was subsequently assigned as a personal tutor to Elizabeth in 1548. Under Ascham's direction, Elizabeth was educated using the texts of Cicero, Isocrates and Sophocles, among others, for the purpose of encouraging the "moral fortitude" required of a monarch. Ascham was renowned for using an educational method called "double translation," which fostered Elizabeth's overwhelming command of both written and spoken Latin. Her ability to grasp and retain exotic languages was phenomenal. It is said that by age 11 Elizabeth was able to speak six languages fluently: Latin, Greek, French, Italian, Spanish and English. When ambassadors and statesmen called upon the royal family, Elizabeth brilliantly addressed them in their native tongues. In addition to her educational studies, Elizabeth was also groomed in proper etiquette, mannerisms and subservience of elders, custom of sixteenth century aristocracy, and participated in artistic and sports endeavours such as dancing, music, Archery, sewing, horse riding and hunting. Elizabeth's early instruction went on to serve her well later in her reigning years; articulate when spoken and purposeful when written. In the last decades of her life, Elizabeth was credited for masterfully translating Boethius' De Cosolatione Philosophy into perfect English. The impeccable translation is testament to her superior education and training, and also to the divine intellect of a most amazing queen.
Elizabeth I did not attend a school or university but she was highly educated by some of the brightest tutors from Cambridge University, at her household in Hatfield. Hatfield was considered to be a satellite of Cambridge University. Princess Elizabeth was an extremely bright child and a great deal of attention was paid to her education.

Kat Ashley was Elizabeth's first tutor. Kat would have taught Elizabeth the alphabet and the rudiments of English Grammar together with reading and writing skills.

Elizabeth would have been expected to learn foreign languages and various subjects. The following list were amongst those who tutored Elizabeth:

  • Jean Belmain - French Tutor

  • Richard Cox - Provost of Eton taught Greek and Latin

  • John Cheke

  • William Grindal

  • Roger Ascham

Elizabeth was taught a range of different lessons as part of a standard curriculum for the royal children. Her studies included languages, grammar, theology, history, rhetoric, logic, philosophy, arithmetic, logic, literature, geometry, and music. She was also taught religious studies. Great attention was given to the study of languages. Roger Ascham's most widely known and accepted educational device was the art of double translation.

By the age of eleven Elizabeth was able to speak fluently in six languages - French, Greek, Latin, Spanish, Welsh and of course English. Ascham praised Elizabeth for her aptitude in learning languages and her retentive memory.

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12y ago

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