In his will, he bequeathed his queen a rope of 600 fair white pearls. Robert Dudley, Elizabeth’s sweet Robin, died September 4, 1588.

Elizabeth I: The Rainbow Portrait, c1600, by Isaac Oliver And falling over the royal bosom is a rope of pearls. The cloak of eyes and ears is edged in pearls. Behind Elizabeth’s head and around her shoulders is a transparent veil edged with pearls. An elaborate head-dress decorated with pearls supports the royal crown. And pearls, those symbols of virginity, are everywhere. A jeweled serpent coiled up one arm of the royal gown, the serpent symbolizing wisdom. A cloak decorated with eyes and ears symbolizing fame. English wild flowers on the royal gown symbolizing the Queen of Astraea. That wink at reality aside, it’s a charming portrait filled with symbolism. The Rainbow Portrait was made when Elizabeth was in her sixties yet shows her as a young woman. In all of her portraits, pearls are dominant. Portraits and pearls have a symbiotic relationship in Elizabeth’s world.

Spare a thought for the poor souls who had that unenviable job. “We never think of her termagant majesty, as Walpole truly observes, without picturing a sharp-eyed lady with a hook-nose, red hair loaded with jewels, an enormous ruff, a vaster farthingale, and a bushel of pearls bestrewed over the entire figure.” Lady Elizabeth TudorĬounted among the fans, furs, gloves, cloaks, and muffs of Elizabeth’s phantasmagorical wardrobe was 3000 gowns, most of them dripping with pearls – that had to be removed each time the gowns were cleaned. Her clothes and jewels were the finest, but they weren’t ostentatious. They represent purity, virginity, and femininity all of which Elizabeth I put great store in.Īs a young princess, Elizabeth was modest.

Pearls, because of their shimmering beauty, are linked to the moon. Of course this was said long after Gloriana left the stage for as everybody knows Cynthia, goddess of the moon adored pearls. It is said that diamonds are a girl’s best friend.

The Spanish Pearl by Catherine Friend