The Elizabeth Files

Elizabeth I never married but was linked with various men. The following men were either linked with Elizabeth through rumours and scandals, were royal favourites or were suitors that she considered marrying.

Click on their names to find out more about them and how they were linked to Elizabeth I:-

• Thomas Seymour, Lord Sudeley
• Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
• Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
• Philip II of Spain
• Prince Eric of Sweden
• Charles II, Archduke of Austria

Those men, however, were not the only men to be linked with the Queen. Elizabeth’s council were always advising marriage for political reasons and so that there would be an heir to the Tudor throne, for stability and security. Elizabeth seemed to have fun playing them off against each other and leaving them dangling while she needed their country’s help! Elizabeth I’s other suitors included:

• The Duke of Saxony
• Adolphus, Duke of Holstein
• Henry FitzAlan, 12th Earl of Arundel
• Sir William Pickering
• Francis, Duke of Alencon and later Anjou
• Charles, Earl of Angouleme
• Archduke Ferdinand of Austria
• James Hamilton, Earl of Arran
• Prince Frederick of Denmark
• Don Carlos, son of Philip II of Spain
• King Charles IX of France
• Henri de Valois, Duke of Anjou
• Francois de Valois, Duke of Alencon and later Anjou
• Lord Darnley
• Emanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy