91¶¶Òõ

Please consent to cookies to view content.

' ); iframeDoc.close(); } } } } } const observer = new MutationObserver(switchSrc); observer.observe(document.documentElement, { childList: true, subtree: true, }); })();

91¶¶Òõ

Resources Education Jobs Schools directory News Magazine Courses Log out Help
Home feed
My list
Courses My Jobs Job alerts My CV Career preferences Resources Author dashboard
Settings
Edit account Log out
Home Resources Jobs Schools directory News Magazine Courses Register for free Log in Help

Home feed Edit account About us My products 91¶¶Òõ for schools Work for 91¶¶Òõ Log out
KS3 History: Elizabeth I Portraits - Tudor Propaganda and Symbolism

KS3 History: Elizabeth I Portraits - Tudor Propaganda and Symbolism

Subject: History

Age range: 11-14

Resource type: Lesson (complete)

Last updated

28 July 2026

pptx, 14.16 MB
pptx, 14.16 MB
PNG, 505.25 KB
PNG, 505.25 KB
PNG, 397.26 KB
PNG, 397.26 KB

The aim of this lesson is to discover the hidden messages in Elizabeth I’s portraits and evaluate how she used art as Tudor propaganda to strengthen her image as Queen.

Students investigate how Elizabeth carefully controlled the way she was portrayed, using portraits to communicate power, authority and legitimacy. They explore how artists included hidden symbols and messages to shape public opinion, demonstrating that Tudor portraits were far more than simple likenesses.

The lesson begins by introducing the idea of anachronisms and modern-day symbolism, encouraging students to question whether images should always be taken at face value. This develops key historical inference skills before students apply them to a series of Elizabeth’s most famous portraits.

Students analyse six important portraits: Princess Elizabeth (1546), the Pelican Portrait (1574), the Ermine Portrait (1585), the Ditchley Portrait (1592), the Rainbow Portrait (1600–02) and the Skull Portrait (1610).

Through source analysis and discussion, they interpret the meanings behind symbols such as pearls, flowers, the pelican, the ermine, the rainbow, the globe and the skull, evaluating how each portrait reinforced Elizabeth’s authority and carefully crafted public image.

An enquiry question is introduced at the start of the lesson and revisited throughout, enabling students to track their progress and develop a deeper understanding of Tudor propaganda, symbolism and the power of visual evidence.

Fully planned and ready to teach, this lesson develops historical enquiry, source analysis, inference, interpretation, evaluation and retrieval skills.

Included in this lesson:
Fully editable PowerPoint
Elizabeth I portrait investigation
Tudor propaganda and symbolism
Anachronism starter activity
Analysis of six Elizabethan portraits
Inference and interpretation tasks
Symbol decoding activities
Retrieval practice
Differentiated resources and suggested teaching strategies

Please leave a review if you find this resource useful. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Get this resource as part of a bundle and save up to 42%

A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.

Bundle

KS3 History: Tudors Complete Bundle

A complete KS3 History Tudors scheme of work with 20 fully resourced lessons covering Tudor England from Henry VII to Elizabeth I. This Unit of Work is designed to save teachers valuable planning time while keeping students fully engaged through enquiry-based learning, historical investigation and a wide range of interactive activities. Ideal preparation for GCSE History, the bundle introduces students to key historical concepts including continuity and change, cause and consequence, significance, interpretations, chronology and source analysis. Students study Henry VII's accession to the throne, the causes of Henry VIII's Break with Rome, the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the reigns of Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, the significance of the Black Tudors, the Spanish Armada, Mary, Queen of Scots, Elizabethan exploration, poverty, the theatre and much more. Throughout the course they develop an understanding of key historical vocabulary including Catholic, Protestant, Reformation, dissolution, vagrancy and propaganda. Every lesson follows an enquiry approach and includes engaging activities, retrieval practice, differentiated tasks, source and interpretation analysis, literacy support and opportunities to develop the historical skills needed for success at GCSE. Included in every lesson: Fully editable PowerPoint Retrieval practice Enquiry question focus Historical skills tasks Source analysis Literacy support and scaffolding Suggested teaching strategies Plenary and review tasks The lessons are broken down into the following: L1 An introduction to the Tudors L2 Henry VII L3 An introduction to Henry VIII L4 Did Henry VIII break with Rome for love? L5 Did Henry VIII break with Rome for faith? L6 Did Henry VIII break with Rome for money? L7 The dissolution of the monasteries L8 The sinking of the Mary Rose L9 Edward VI L10 Bloody Mary L11 Black Tudors L12 The Young Elizabeth L13 The Elizabethan Settlement (free resource) L14 Elizabeth and the problem of marriage L15 Elizabeth and her portraits L16 How did Elizabeth deal with Mary, Queen of Scots? L17 Famous explorers (Drake, Hawkins and Raleigh) L18 The Spanish Armada L19 Elizabeth, poverty and the Poor Law L20 Elizabethan Theatre and the Globe Please leave a review if you find this resource useful. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

£35.00
Bundle

KS3 History: Tudor England Bundle | Elizabeth I and Elizabethan England

This bundle follows the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum - the development of Church, state and society in Britain 1509-1745 including the Elizabethan religious settlement and conflict with Catholics (including Scotland, Spain and Ireland). The aims of this bundle are to know and understand how peoples' lives were shaped by Elizabeth, how she dealt with the threats to her rule and how her legacy lives on today as one of our greatest ever Queens. Students will learn and understand key historical skills. These include historical concepts such as continuity and change with a focus on the Elizabethan Poor Law, the causes and consequences of the Elizabethan Settlement, similarities and differences in her portraits and the significance of the defeat of the Armada as well as exploration and the theatre. The 11 lessons are broken down into the following: L1 The young Elizabeth L2 The Elizabethan Settlement (free resource) L3 Elizabeth and her favourites (free resource) L4 Elizabeth and the problem of marriage L5 Elizabeth and her portraits L6 How did Elizabeth deal with Mary, Queen of Scots? L7 Famous explorers (Drake, Hawkins and Raleigh) L8 The Spanish Armada L9 Elizabeth, poverty and the Poor Law L10 Elizabethan Theatre and the Globe Each lesson comes with suggested teaching and learning strategies and are linked to the latest historical interpretations and debate from the BBC and other sources. The lessons are fully adaptable in PowerPoint format and can be changed to suit. I have included a couple of free lessons to give an idea of what is being offered. Although this bundle is aimed at Key Stage 3, it is ideal if you are studying Elizabeth I for GCSE as it covers the main themes, concepts and skills required for the new specifications. The Tudor England Bundle Part 1 can be found here: /teaching-resource/the-early-tudors-bundle-henry-vii-henry-viii-edward-vi-and-mary-i-11944890

£17.99

Reviews

5

Something went wrong, please try again later.

jenniephipps

8 years ago
5

cicknook

10 years ago
5

Fantastic lesson. Amazing powerpoint that students will find highly engaging. The lesson introduces the concept of symbolism and challenges students to apply their knowledge to interpret the messages within the portraits. Easy to see how students will progress over the lesson.

to let us know if it violates our terms and conditions.
Our customer service team will review your report and will be in touch.

£3.30
5.002 reviews

Not quite what you were looking for?Search by keyword to find the right resource: