What connections did Shakespeare have with Elizabeth the first?

Answer 1

The author Paul Streitz, director of the Oxford Institute, theorizes that William Shakespeare was the pen name of Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford in the book "Oxford, Son of Queen Elizabeth I." His theory is as follows:

After the death of her father, 12 year old Elizabeth lived in the court of her step-mother, Katherine Parr. Thomas Seymour proposed to Elizabeth, but she rejected him, so he instead married Parr. When Parr was 6 months pregnant, she and Seymour moved to Sudeley Castle, leaving the now 14 year old Elizabeth in seclusion. History records Elizabeth fell ill that year, 1548, but no mention of what illness. Apparently Streitz found some historical documentation from a midwife, brought to Cheshunt (where Elizabeth was in seclusion) to care for a 'fair young lady' who'd given birth. Streitz further claims to have found testimony of "gross impropriety" taken by Seymour with his step-daughter, Elizabeth. Katherine Parr died in childbed, and the child was supposedly raised by John de Vere, 16th Earl of Oxford. Streitz also points out that later, in 1571, the line of succession was changed by Elizabeth I's councellor William Cecil to name that child, named Edward de Vere, as the heir to her throne. If Streitz is correct, that would mean the true royal family of England would in fact be the descendants of William Shakespeare via the Tudor line.

Of course, this theory, lacking as it does any credible evidence to support it, is either ignored or dismissed fairly summarily by almost all scholars. Christopher Paul, himself a believer in the theory that de Vere wrote Shakespeare's works, has written a detailed article outlining the flaws in Streitz's book. Most scholars would take the view that even if Edward de Vere happened to be Elizabeth's son (or as Streitz would have us believe, both her son and paramour!), it is no support for the idea that de Vere wrote Shakespeare's works, which most of them reject.

ANSWER: The above is like the English version of America's many conspiracy theories. People love to read about them but there is no evidence whatsoever. The De Vere wrote Shakespeare theory has less evidence than Roswell aliens. So the short answer is that William Shakespeare of Stratford-Upon-Avon who's name appears on the works of William Shakespeare is NOT related to Elizabeth I. She was however his patron and he performed his plays for her at court.

Answer 2

He lived in England at the same time as she was Queen of it. He was part of a theatrical company which is known to have performed at a royal command performance for her. That's about it. They certainly never met or had any kind of personal relationship.

Answer 3

Shakespeare was born in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The King James Bible was compiled during Shakespeare's lifetime but not in Elizabeth's. Sorry, that's the only connection. Shakespeare did not contribute to the King James Bible and he did not know Queen Elizabeth personally.

Answer 4

Shakespeare lived in the Elizabethan period and wrote literary things, like poetry.