"I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field."

Queen Elizabeth I, speech delivered to English land forces assembled at Tilbury, Essex, August 1588. The Spanish Armada had already been scattered by storms; news had not yet reached the army.