Mirrors

Abstract

In Tudor times mirrors were important in actuality and as metaphor, especially in relation to Queen Elizabeth. There have been many stories told and retold about Elizabeth’s hatred of mirrors in the later years of her reign. But Elizabeth’s own history with mirrors is more complex and given the mirrors in her palaces, she was not as hostile to seeing her reflection as has been often stated. Good mirrors were expensive; small ones were worn as jewelry while large ones could lighten a room or simulate a window if they were hung opposite one. Some distorting mirrors were considered magical. Mirrors were considered so interesting they were often described metaphorically as a means to greater perception and truth. Elizabeth herself used mirrors as metaphors in her letters. Commentary about Elizabeth at the end of her reign, or after her death, often referred to her hatred of mirrors. These stories most likely had a kernel of truth to them, in that she probably did not enjoy looking at herself in small hand mirrors. But since Elizabeth’s palaces had many mirrors in them, she obviously did not dislike all of them.