Queen Elizabeth I

I faintly remember her, holding me up, as to convince him that I existed. But I know now that it was not my existence that was in question. She, my intact mother for such a brief time-she was making a plea. In spite of the cries and the evidence, Father bastardized me. He, an ill guided man, too familiar with fear and betrayal.

It was from his chaos that I learned it would be better to avoid my own.

When our Mary ascended I succeeded. My obligation would require an acquisition

of various trustworthy confidantes and advisors. My observations of Father's rule would serve me well.

I surrounded myself with family and friends, those known to be loyal to both me and my public.

Within (what seemed to be) only moments of my coronation, chants for an heir could be heard. They tumbled through the streets and echoed in the halls of every royal wing.

I was never one to pray for marriage, and motherhood was never in my wishes. In my experience, children were the catalyst for death. I could not force myself to long for them.

But that is what my people begged of me.

I found a possibility in the Earl of Leicester. Robert, a lovely sort, was soon to be a widowed man.

In irony's most playful moment, the very subjects who cried for a continuation slandered my only consideration. To persist in my current intentions risked tarnish to the crown, and therefore, the pursuit was ended.

My initial plan became fixed. I would remain a virgin and use it well.

The leaders of foreign lands were pleasantly accommodating as they addressed me as both a Queen and a potential bride. I could encourage them all and benefit the Motherland by simply remaining as I had always hoped to be, unmarried and a virgin.

With the granting of my truest wish came the most colorful of opportunities. I could direct my attention to the causes and issues that presented themselves to me.

I would employ the most basic aspect of my nature. My apparent gift of empathy. It allowed me to be true and fair to all sides of most any conflict while preserving a deserved and valued trust from all.