Elizabeth I exhibit at Love Library March 3-April 20

According to University of Nebraska-Lincoln historian Carole Levin, Queen Elizabeth I of England lived "a dangerous and exciting life," and her story has fascinated and inspired the world during the four centuries since her reign. Elizabeth claimed to have "the heart and stomach of a king," and she also had a brilliant and cunning mind that ruled her judgments, guided her actions, and transformed England into one of the most powerful countries in the world.

From March 3 through April 20, visitors to UNL's Love Library will be able to get a glimpse into the danger and excitement of Elizabeth I's colorful life and reign when UNL Libraries hosts the national traveling exhibit, "Elizabeth I: Ruler and Legend." The exhibit opens March 3 with a reception sponsored by the Friends of the Libraries of UNL and their corporate members, Assurity Security Group Inc. and Sampson Construction Inc.

Organized by the Newberry Library's Center for Renaissance Studies, in collaboration with the American Library Association Public Programs Office, the traveling exhibition is made possible through major grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, with additional support from the Vance Family Fund and the University of Illinois at Chicago. It is based on a major exhibition of the same name mounted by the Newberry Library in 2003 to commemorate the reign of Elizabeth I on the 400th anniversary of her death.

A number of programs, most of them free, have been planned in connection with the exhibition. The opening event will feature Clark Hulse, the curator of the original exhibit when it appeared at the Newberry Library in Chicago. Other events include performances of Hamlet, Macbeth, a concert, sonnet readings, lectures, the film "Shakespeare in Love," and outreach events planned especially for local high school students by the Lied Center for Performing Arts.

UNL students in the class, "Movement Training for Period Styles," will complete their class experience with a dramatic performance recreating a day in the life of Queen Elizabeth and her court.

One interdisciplinary event will provide UNL students, faculty and community members with a special opportunity for an educational and enriching experience. Levin and various sponsors, such as the Medieval and Renaissance Studies program, will host the conference "Queens and Power in Medieval and Early Modern England," attracting respected scholars and attendees from across the nation March 23-25. The keynote presentations and lectures are free of charge.

Telephone (402) 472-6987 or visit http://iris.unl.edu/elizabethi for more information about the traveling exhibit and the events.

"We are pleased to have been selected as a site for this exhibition," said Joan Giesecke, dean of libraries at UNL. "Elizabeth I was a remarkable historical figure, and the Elizabethan Age is filled with many fascinating topics of interest to audiences of all ages. Through the exhibit and accompanying programs, our community will learn more about the woman who became a monarch at 25 and exerted such a strong influence in government, religion, the arts and the exploration of the world."

At the beginning of Elizabeth's reign in 1558, many questioned whether a woman could rule England. But during nearly 45 years on the throne, Elizabeth won her subjects' allegiance through wise decisions, courage in the face of conflict and court intrigues, and skill in maintaining a strong public image.

When she came to the throne, she immediately took action to create a reliable government. She adopted a moderate stance toward religious practices within the broad framework of English Protestantism. In continuing conflicts with Spain, Elizabeth prevailed, winning respect and admiration for vanquishing the Spanish Armada in 1588. Her fiery character was apparent in a passionate speech to her soldiers in which she resolved to live and die among them as they prepared to battle the great Spanish fleet.

The exhibit is composed of panels of images reproduced from rare books, manuscripts, maps, letters, paintings and artifacts in the collections of the Newberry Library, the British Library, Queen Elizabeth II and distinguished private collectors. University Libraries will supplement the exhibit with additional materials borrowed from Levin and Professor Barbara Trout of UNL's Department of Textiles, Clothing and Design. The Libraries University Archives and Special Collections Department will display some materials from its collection in its reading room.

CONTACTS: Joan Barnes, Development/Outreach Librarian, Libraries, (402) 472-6987; and
Carole Levin, Professor, History, (402) 472-3494