The largest ever collection of Queen Elizabeth I’s personal items, paintings of her and other exhibits is being presented by constitutional historian Dr David Starkey at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich from 1st May until 14th September.

Visitors will be able to mull over whether Elizabeth was simply a monarch who financed acts of piracy, a leader with a vision of empire or a Machiavellian operator who forged intra-national alliances.

A Holbein chalk drawing of Ann, a pearl, ruby and diamond ring with miniature busts of the Queen and her mum Ann Boleyn, and a unique lute used by Elizabeth will be among items on show.