it is believed that Elizabeth I granted a temporary reprieve to the Catholic priest Richard Simpson to forestall invasion by Philip II of Spain?
in 1613, Sir Roger Wilbraham, Elizabeth I's Solicitor-General for Ireland, founded the first almshouses (pictured) in his birthplace, Nantwich in Cheshire?
an Anglo-Moroccan alliance, developed between Elizabeth I of England and the Moroccan Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur, had an influence on at least two of Shakespeare's plays?
the allegorical Armada Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I (pictured) commemorates England's defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588?
the Accession Day tilts were jousts held at the court of Queen Elizabeth I in which her courtiers appeared in elaborate allegorical disguises (pictured)?
the earliest full-length portrait of Elizabeth I by Tudor court painter Steven van der Meulen, was auctioned by Sotheby's in 2007 for ÂŁ2.6 million, more than twice its expected maximum?
the Queen's Aid House (pictured) has a plaque commemorating Elizabeth I's aid in rebuilding Nantwich after a fire, the only time she is known to have contributed to such a cause?
the portraiture of Elizabeth I (pictured) contains complex iconography of empire and virginity that conveyed to Elizabethans the majesty and significance of the Virgin Queen?
Richard Perceval, who was born at Nailsea Court, deciphered Spanish documents for Queen Elizabeth about the Spanish Armada invasion plans?
The Miroir or Glasse of the Synneful Soul (pictured) was a manuscript translated, scribed, and embroidered for queen Katherine Parr by future queen Elizabeth I when the latter was eleven years old?
Robert Brandon, goldsmith to Queen Elizabeth I and later Chamberlain of London, was the father-in-law of the artist Nicholas Hilliard and of Captain John Martin of the Jamestown Colony?
Nicholas Hilliard (pictured), portrait miniaturist to Elizabeth I and James I of England, was chronically short of funds and was briefly imprisoned for debt in Ludgate ?
Sir Edward Rogers (pictured) was an Esquire of the Body to Henry VIII of England who rose to become Comptroller of the Household to Henry's daughter Elizabeth I?
Robert Peake the Elder worked in the Office of the Revels under Elizabeth I before being appointed "Serjeant Painter" to James I, a role in which he was responsible for portraits of Prince Henry (pictured)?
Steven van Herwijck created portrait medals of both Sigismund II Augustus of Poland and Elizabeth I of England?
William Vaux, 3rd Baron Vaux was imprisoned and fined ÂŁ1,000 by Queen Elizabeth for harbouring the Jesuit Edmund Campion?
Thomas Stanley was an officer of the Royal Mint at the Tower of London under four monarchs—Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I?
Queen Elizabeth I of England may have been named for her grandmother Elizabeth Boleyn?