Let Tyrants Fear, HI's First Film Debuts

It has been a few years in the making, but Historic Interpretations is proud to debut its first film, "Let Tyrants Fear" an interpretation of the speech and battle at Tilbury.

This inaugural project for the HI film division began in the summer of 2011. Thanks to our volunteers and historic experts, HI took on the task of recreating Queen Elizabeth I's speech to the Troops at Tilbury, delivered on the ninth of August, 1588 in preparation for repelling the expected invasion by the Spanish Armada.

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The Speech
The text was found in a letter from Leonel Sharp sometime after 1624 to the duke of Buckingham.

My loving people...
We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit our selves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear. I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust.

I know I have the body of a weak, 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.

I know already, for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure you on a word of a prince, they shall be duly paid. In the mean time, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over these enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.

"Let Tyrant's Fear" Trailer, 2013.

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