The Virgin Queen and the Son of Heaven: Elizabeth I’s Letters to Wanli, Emperor of China

Type:

Book Chapter

Author:

Rayne Allinson

Published:

2014

Publisher:

Palgrave Macmillan US

In December 1602, the 69-year-old Queen Elizabeth I attended housewarming celebrations at the newly built London residence of her Principal Secretary, Sir Robert Cecil. Among the lavish entertainments Cecil provided for his mistress that evening was a dramatic dialogue between a Gentleman Usher and “a Post” (i.e., a courier), written by the poet John Davies. As the queen looked on, the Post burst upon the stage declaring that he had letters “from the Emperor of China” to deliver post-haste to Secretary Cecil. No doubt playing up the dramatic irony afforded by the situation, the Usher asked why he did not present the letters directly to the queen (who was seated in the audience). The Post explained that they were written “in a language that she understands not,” but the Usher informed him that all great princes (including the “Great Turke”, another of Elizabeth’s well-known correspondents) always sent translations of their letters in Italian, French, Spanish, or Latin, and so the queen could read the letters from the Emperor of China “if they be in any Christian language.” This led to a lengthy dialogue in praise of Elizabeth’s great learning and linguistic skills, after which the Post confessed himself too shy to approach the queen. The Usher admonished him to overcome his fear and, perhaps with an encouraging gesture toward the audience, declared: “Draw nere her, knele downe before her, kisse thy letters, and deliver them, and use noe prattling, while she is reading.”

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