The cause of Elizabeth’s death remains a hotly contested subject. Before her death, Elizabeth refused permission for a post-mortem to be conducted, leaving the cause of her death forever shrouded in mystery. There are, however, a few theories:
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1. Some say that she may have died of blood poisoning, brought on by her use of a lead-based makeup known as “Venetian Ceruse” (or “the spirits of Saturn”). This substance was classified as a poison 31 years after Elizabeth's death.
2. Other proposed causes of death include pneumonia, streptococcus (infected tonsils), or cancer.
3. Close to the time of her death, Elizabeth’s coronation ring had grown into her flesh. This was due to the fact that she had never removed it during the 45 years of her reign. Her doctors insisted that the ring had to be removed, and within a week Elizabeth died.
Visit the Queen's House in Greenwich
Where did Elizabeth I die?
Elizabeth I died in Richmond Palace. At the time of her death she was reported to have a full inch of makeup on her face.
By this point, she had lost most of her teeth, suffered hair loss, refused to be attended to and bathed. GJ Meyer describes her as “a pathetic spectacle, all the more so because throughout her reign she has been vain to the point of childishness.”
The cause of Elizabeth’s death remains a hotly contested subject. Before her death, Elizabeth refused permission for a post-mortem to be conducted, leaving the cause of her death forever shrouded in mystery. There are, however, a few theories:
1. Some say that she may have died of blood poisoning, brought on by her use of a lead-based makeup known as “Venetian Ceruse” (or “the spirits of Saturn”). This substance was classified as a poison 31 years after Elizabeth's death.
2. Other proposed causes of death include pneumonia, streptococcus (infected tonsils), or cancer.
3. Close to the time of her death, Elizabeth’s coronation ring had grown into her flesh. This was due to the fact that she had never removed it during the 45 years of her reign. Her doctors insisted that the ring had to be removed, and within a week Elizabeth died.
Visit the Queen's House in Greenwich
Where did Elizabeth I die?
Elizabeth I died in Richmond Palace. At the time of her death she was reported to have a full inch of makeup on her face.
By this point, she had lost most of her teeth, suffered hair loss, refused to be attended to and bathed. GJ Meyer describes her as “a pathetic spectacle, all the more so because throughout her reign she has been vain to the point of childishness.”