Severe historical inaccuracies

Rating: Null/10 (8 May 1999)

I teach Tudor and Stuart England at one of the local colleges here. Although I enjoyed the acting (Cate Blanchett was brilliant as Elizabeth) and the art direction very much, there were severe historical inaccuracies throughout the movie, even at the near beginning.....

When Elizabeth was not making love with Robert Dudley when she was arrested for suspicion in the Thomas Wyatt rebellion of 1554. Robert Dudley was already arrested and in the Tower earlier for the Lady Jane Grey conspiracy.

Robert Dudley had NEVER fornicated with Katherine Ashley, Elizabeth's lady-in-waiting, EVER!! In real life, Katherine Ashley was Elizabeth's governess and had practically raised her since the execution of Elizabeth's mother, Anne Boleyn. So in actuality, Katherine Ashley was old enough to be Elizabeth's mother. Also, Katherine did not die in a poisoned dress. She died of natural causes in 1565.

Mary of Guise, the Scottish Regent, died of dropsy. She was not murdered.

Elizabeth always knew that Robert Dudley was married to Amy Robsart. In fact, she attended his wedding and had stayed over in Warwickshire several times.

Elizabeth did not start wearing wigs until after she had come down with typhoid fever and lost a good deal of her natural hair. She had never cut her hair short, placed a wig on her head and declared herself the "Virgin Queen."

Elizabeth's father Henry VIII really did a number on her attitude towards men, particularly in the situation of her stepmother, Catherine Howard. Catherine's execution deeply affected Elizabeth and from that point on, she decided never to marry.

Elizabeth did not stay in some dark, moldy, clammy cell when she went to the Tower. She actually stayed in the Bell Tower, which was a residence to Kings and Queens before their coronation. She was actually quite comfortable during her confinement in the Tower.

Elizabeth did not go back to Hatfield (her primary residence) after her release from the Tower. She was under close confinement at Woodstock for the next 18 months.

Since the director of the movie wanted to emphasize that Elizabeth was indeed not a virgin, he could have started the story out with Elizabeth being under the care of her guardian, Lord Thomas Seymour and how he used to invade her bed in the early morning and romp in bed with her (and Tudor girls usually slept naked within their bedhangings).
For a true history lesson, I would avoid this film at all costs. If you want to see a true film with nearly accurate information concerning Elizabeth, I highly recommend "Elizaberh R" with Glenda Jackson. No one can play "Elizabeth" like she can!!