'To the most godlye, virtuos, and mightye princes Elizabeth': Identity and gender in the dedications to Elizabeth I

This dissertation assesses the 180 dedications in the printed books dedicated to Elizabeth I. These dedications offer rich ground for contributing to the understanding of early modern English politics, gender, and identity. The Renaissance dedication was not simply an elaborate piece of flattery to the Queen, but also served a variety of purposes. The authors pursued patronage, but also used the dedication as a platform for advice and persuasion. These members of the English political nation grappled with gender issues as represented in the body of a female monarch. As a result, many of these authors developed ideas of the commonwealth and modern citizenship, while expanding the notion of counsel to the Queen. This dissertation argues that in the process of coping with this unusual situation, the authors contributed to the rise of a modern English national identity.