Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Elizabeth: The Golden Age is a 2007 film sequel to the 1998 film Elizabeth, loosely based on events during the latter part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England.

Directed by Shekhar Kapur. Written by William Nicholson and Michael Hirst.

Two Faiths. Two Empires. Two Rulers. taglines

Woman. Warrior. Queen. taglines

Queen Elizabeth I

• [to her army at Tilbury] My loving people. We see the sails of the enemy approaching. We hear the Spanish guns over the water. Soon now, we will meet them face-to-face. I am resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all. While we stand together, no invader shall pass. Let them come with the armies of Hell; they will not pass! And when this day of battle is ended, we meet again in heaven or on the field of victory.
• May we have wisdom not to fear shadows in the night, and courage when the day of danger truly dawns.

King Philip II of Spain

• Elizabeth is darkness. I am light.

Sir Walter Raleigh

• Why be afraid of tomorrow when today is all we have?
• We mortals have many weaknesses; we feel too much, hurt too much or too soon we die, but we do have the chance of love.

Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots

• [to her accusers] You know neither who you are, nor what you do. But I know who I am; and if I die, it shall be as I have lived — as a Queen — trusting in the mercy of God, my holy father.

Dialogue

[Walter Raleigh has discovered a colony]

Sir Walter Raleigh: We have named it Virginia, after our Virgin Queen.

Queen Elizabeth I: "Virginia"? And when I am married, will you rename it to "Conjugia"?

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Queen Elizabeth I: Go back to your rathole! Tell Philip I fear neither him, nor his priests, nor his armies. Tell him if he wants to shake his little fist at us, we're ready to give him such a bite he'll wish he'd kept his hands in his pockets!

Spanish Minister: You see a leaf fall, and you think you know which way the wind blows. Well, there is a wind coming, Madame, that will sweep away your pride. [turns to leave with his ministers]

Queen Elizabeth I: I, too, can command the wind, sir! I have a hurricane in me that will strip Spain bare if you dare to try me!

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Queen Elizabeth I: How many Catholics are there in England, sir?

Cabinet Minister #1: Immense numbers, Majesty.

Cabinet Minister #2: Half the nation cling to the old superstitions.

Queen Elizabeth I: What would you have me do? Hang half the people in England, or just imprison them?

Cabinet Minister #2: We must act, Majesty! Our inaction is perceived as weakness!

Queen Elizabeth I: If my people break the law, they shall be punished. Until that day, they shall be protected.

Cabinet Minister #1: Majesty, we have proven reason to fear every Catholic in the—

Queen Elizabeth I: Fear creates fear. I am not ignorant of the dangers, sir. But I will not punish my people for their beliefs. Only for their deeds. I am assured that the people of England love their Queen. My constant endeavor is to earn that love.

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Queen Elizabeth I: Are you here to tell me I must murder a Queen?

Sir Walter Raleigh: I would never presume to tell my Queen what to do. Only you know where your duty lies.

Queen Elizabeth I: Was it my father's duty to murder my mother? She was a Queen, for a time. Oh, I would be loath to die so bloody a death.

Sir Walter Raleigh: Since when were you so afraid?

Queen Elizabeth I: I'm always afraid.

Sir Walter Raleigh: Kill a Queen and all Queens are mortal. We mortals have many weaknesses: we feel too much, hurt too much. All too soon we die, but we do have the chance of love.

Queen Elizabeth I: Do we? I have given England my life. Must she also have my soul?

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Sir Francis Walsingham: Forgive me, Your Majesty, I have failed you.

Queen Elizabeth I: How have you failed me? What am I to forgive you for?

Sir Francis Walsingham: Philip of Spain is a God-fearing man who cannot declare war without a just cause. I intercepted every letter Mary Stuart secretly dispatched but failed to see Spain knew I was reading them. They waited for her to write the words that in my eyes would confirm her treason. Forgive me. I am trapped in my own web.

Queen Elizabeth I: And I ordered Mary's execution. I murdered God's anointed Queen. And now God's most dutiful son makes Holy War to punish me.

External links

• Elizabeth: The Golden Age quotes at the Internet Movie Database