An unknown artist depicted Queen Elizabeth I as a young girl, at ages (left to right) five, six, and three. The painting dates from about 1601, and Elizabeth died in 1603. The costumes are anachronistic for Elizabeth's youth.
Elizabeth's mother, Anne Boleyn, was executed when Elizabeth was two years and eight months old. These images are of the young Elizabeth during the reign of her father, Henry VIII, who died when Elizabeth was 13. Though the subject of this painting has been described as Princess Elizabeth, Elizabeth was denied that title during her father's lifetime, having been declared illegitimate after her mother's conviction for treason. But she was well-educated and cared for by governesses who were themselves from noble families. During the years she is depicted in this painting, her care was under the Lady Margaret Bryan and then Blanch Herbert, Lady Troy.
