Bram Stoker shocked readers with his theory that Queen Elizabeth I may have been hiding a surprising secret: her true gender.
England’s Queen Elizabeth I was a mysterious figure; there’s no doubt about it. But diving deeper might uncover a conspiracy theory that would make even the boldest historian raise an eyebrow. Enter Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula, who dared to wonder if Queen Elizabeth I, AKA the Virgin Queen, was actually a man in disguise.
In his 1910 book Famous Impostors, Bram Stoker speculated that Queen Elizabeth I was not who she seemed—a claim that shocked academics and captivated conspiracy theorists. According to the author, the queen’s reluctance to marry and conceive an heir wasn’t due to a vow of chastity or political pursuits. It was a cover-up to hide her true identity. Stoker pointed to inconsistencies in the queen’s appearance, like her deep voice, as evidence supporting his theory.
But before you throw out your world history books, let’s pause for a reality check. While Stoker’s theory may sound like the plot of a sensational novel, it lacks historical evidence. Queen Elizabeth I’s life is extensively documented, and there’s no shortage of portraits depicting her feminine features. So, was Bram Stoker onto something, or was he merely weaving another tale to tantalize our imaginations?
Find out more about Bram Stoker’s theory on Queen Elizabeth I in the video below:
