Golden speech
The Golden Speech is the farewell speech by Queen Elizabeth I of England . She addressed it to 140 members of parliament on November 30, 1601 . This had met in Whitehall Palace to complain to the Queen about unjust distribution of trade rights. The MPs received the first half of the speech on their knees in front of the Queen until she asked her to stand, as she intended to speak longer. After the speech, all 140 men kissed the queen's hand. It was Elisabeth's last public appearance. She died 16 months later on March 24, 1603.
The name Golden Speech came about years later. In a Commonwealth pamphlet quoting the speech, the headline said it was worth writing in gold.
Reference is still made to the Golden Speech today . Most recently by the Archbishop of Canterbury on the fiftieth year of Queen Elizabeth II's reign . He used the jeweled phrase of the speech as an introduction and an end.
Excerpt from the speech
There is no jewel, no matter how high the price, that I put above this jewel: I mean your love. I respect these more than any treasure or riches. We know how to evaluate them, but I consider love and gratitude to be priceless. And God raised me high too, what I count as the glory of my crown is that I have ruled with your love.
Original text:
There is no jewel, be it of never so rich a price, which I set before this jewel, I mean your love. For I do esteem it more than any treasure or riches; for that we know how to prize, but love and thanks I count invaluable. And, though God hath raised me high, yet this I count the glory of my crown, that I have reigned with your loves.
literature
- Martin Kaufhold: The great speeches in world history. 2012, p.119 ff. (German translation)