Elizabeth I (1533-1603) lived immersed in a culture of writing. She herself wrote poems, prayers, devotions, and speeches, as well as innumerable letters and state documents. She was the recipient, and reader, of many books and manuscripts. Entertainments were presented before her; she was the subject of countless eulogistic poems and dedications, and her courtiers included notable poets and prose writers. Following the recent widely commemorated 400th anniversary of Elizabeth's death, the distinguished contributors to the present volume believe that it is time to pursue aspects of the culture of writing which formed so essential a part of her life and reign. The essays here shed light on the roles she played in this culture - as sovereign and ultimate arbiter, spectator and protagonist, friend and confidante, creator and recipient, muse and literary icon, as well as woman. They also bring to light newly discovered or little-known documents relating to Elizabeth, which remind us of the wealth of archival evidence that survives in this golden period of English culture. Contributors include: H.R.Woodhuysen, Katherine Duncan-Jones, Grace Iopollo, Blair Worden, Gabriel Henton, Joshua Eckhardt, Jane lawson, Peter Beal, and, Steven W. May.