Elizabeth I

I have no desire to make windows into men's souls.

I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too.

Though I am a woman, I have as good a courage answerable to my place as ever my father had. I am your anointed Queen. I will never be by violence constrained to do anything. I thank God I am indeed endowed with such qualities that if I were turned out of the realm in my petticoat, I were able to live in any place in the world.

I will be Queen of England, and I will have no master.

To be a king and wear a crown is a thing more glorious to them that see it than it is pleasant to them that bear it.

I have already joined myself in marriage to a husband, namely the kingdom of England.

There is only one Christ, Jesus, one faith, and one baptism, which is the truth.

I am not so simple to think but that every one of you knoweth as well as I, what wars are in Christendom, and what great dangers hang over our heads.

I am resolved, in the name of God, to live and die a virgin.

I will never marry.

I have ever used to set the Last Judgment Day before mine eyes, and so to rule as I shall be judged to answer before a higher Judge.

God has given me a mind that is not to be changed by any persuasion.

I would rather be a beggar and single than a queen and married.

I have no need of a husband.

I am your Queen, and I will be served by you.

I have good cause to be contented with my lot.

I have been brought up by a wise and learned father.

I have been taught by experience to know the difference between good and evil.

I have been trained in the school of adversity.

I have been tried in the furnace of affliction.