Happy Hour: Courting the Virgin Queen: Queen Elizabeth I and Her Suitors

Sponsored by the ESU Sandhills Branch

Her birth in 1533 came as a result of one of the most controversial marriages in royal history, that of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Little Princess Elizabeth lost her status as legitimate heir to the throne before she was three years old when her father moved on to another wife. When Elizabeth became Queen of England at age 25, public debate immediately turned to the prospect of her own marriage. From Parliament to the Privy Council in England, and from monarchs and ministers throughout Europe, many lobbied for their choice as the world waited for the queen to make a decision. Enter the world of royal romance, where the personal is political and marriage is a matter of public debate. While Elizabeth I had many eager prospects, in the end she was the only English monarch to rule as an adult and never marry.

Our guest speaker, Carol Ann Lloyd, is a historian, Shakspearian, and acclaimed author. In her latest book, Courting the Virgin Queen, Lloyd tells us how Queen Elizabeth I’s decisions defied expectations throughout her reign, frustrating her supporters, and encouraging her enemies. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Sandhills Pinehurst Branch in North Carolina. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. All Happy Hours take place on Eastern Time.

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About Carol Ann Lloyd

Carol Ann Lloyd is a popular historian and Shakespearian with expertise in Shakespeare, 16th century England, women’s lives, and leadership. She speaks globally for Smithsonian Associates, Agecroft Hall, Royal Oak Foundation, and other organizations. She also lectures for Smithsonian Journeys and the Queen Mary 2, and other cruise ships. Carol Ann delivers programs for business audiences about leadership, focusing on how today’s leaders can use timeless leadership principles from Shakespeare and history to achieve success in the modern world. Carol Ann is the host of the popular “Royals, Rebels, and Romantics” podcast and is the author of books, including The Tudors by Numbers, Courting the Virgin Queen, How to Build Relationships One Conversation at a Time, and Meaningful Conversations. She holds graduate degrees from the University of Virginia and University of Utah and is doing additional postgraduate work with Oxford University. Carol Ann is a member of National Speakers Association and Past President of the Washington, DC chapter.

Cocktail: Courting the Queen Mocktail

Mix one part cranberry juice with two parts Fresca, Sprite, or other fizzy drink. Garnish with blueberries and raspberries. Best enjoyed on the deck. Note: you can substitute something stronger for the fizzy drink.