The Liz Quiz

Question 10

Elizabeth's reign was longer than that of any other Tudor. When she died at the age of 69 in 1603, how many years had she reigned?

1. 35
2. 40
3. 45
4. 50

The answer is c. 45.

Queen Elizabeth was born on September 7th, 1533, and was 25 when her sister died on November 17th, 1558. The actual coronation did not take place until January, 1559 (so strictly speaking, the reign lasted only 44 years and some months). The queen outlived many of her original councillors and nearly all of her political rivals, both domestic and foreign. She even outlived some of the younger courtiers whose escapades kept her interested in life. On March 24, 1603, she died quietly in her sleep after a brief illness, and England mourned one of its best-loved monarchs.

Return to the Quiz