Queen Elizabeth 1

I was reading a speech by Elizabeth 1 of England.  She ascended to the throne in 1558.  Such was her influence that the period of her rule was called “the Elizabethan age.”
The speech she gave as the Spanish Amada approached is the subject of the book of speeches I am reading.  In it she said “I know I have the body of but a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king…”
There are both good and bad kings.  I think what she referred to as “king” was one who ruled fairly and was willing to make tough decisions for the good.
What I really like about what she said, apart from the poetic nature of it, was where she said it.  She was in amongst her people as they prepared to battle the Spanish, whom they were not expected to beat.
I love that they saw her as one of them.  In her speech she said, “…being resolved, in the midst and heat of battle, to live and die amongst you all…”
To me that sort of thing is huge.  Loyalty is born of love.  It seems to me the unexpected can be the outcome of a people passionately united.  She was willing to get down and dirty with her subjects - such was her belief and passion for what was at stake.
No doubt she had much to lose personally, but she was able to convince those that mattered that her loss would be their loss too.
I have worked for both good and bad bosses.  The good ones are those who I know are willing to experience life at my level.  Those who will go into bat for me where the cause is just.  The result is what I see all the time.  A willingness from both parties to get in and do what needs to be done.  A helping of each other to fulfil a task.
I do not know much about the history surrounding the speech, but I do know it still inspires me around 400 years later.