Intellectual pursuits:
* Reading: She was a voracious reader and had a large library. She enjoyed historical texts, poetry, and philosophical works.
* Writing: Elizabeth was a skilled writer and penned many letters, proclamations, and speeches. She even wrote poetry, though only a few surviving works are attributed to her.
* Learning Languages: She was fluent in French and Italian, and she likely had some understanding of other languages.
* Music: She played the lute and enjoyed listening to music, particularly madrigals.
Other activities:
* Horseback riding: She was an accomplished horsewoman and enjoyed hunting.
* Dancing: Although she was known for her regal bearing, she was also known to enjoy dancing at court.
* Gardening: She loved gardens and was known to take an active role in their design and maintenance.
* Needlework: Embroidery was a common pastime for women of her time, and Elizabeth is said to have been skilled at it.
Beyond these, Elizabeth was also a skilled diplomat and politician, investing considerable time in state affairs. Her reign was marked by a vibrant cultural flourishing, and she actively patronized artists, writers, and musicians.
While not all of these activities would be considered "hobbies" in the modern sense, they offer a glimpse into the varied and intellectually stimulating life of Queen Elizabeth I.