Nicola Tallis and History Hit present a 2-part series about the extraordinary young woman who would become Elizabeth I - one of the most remarkable people to sit on the throne of England, but whose life before her coronation was just as incredible.

Historian Nicola Tallis, author of Young Elizabeth, explores the remarkable evidence that has been left behind: carefully preserved documents written in Elizabeth’s own hand, heartfelt confessions to the Royal Council, even handwritten pleas to her half-sister Mary to save her life.

To help tell this story, actor Grace Haydn brilliantly takes on the role of young Elizabeth, bringing her words to life.

In this first episode Nicola details the twists and turns of Elizabeth’s perilous early years, from royal princess to the bastard daughter of a disgraced and executed queen; from suffering abuse at the hands of Thomas Seymour to the uncertainty of the death of her brother, Edward VI.

In this second episode, Nicola Tallis explores the remarkable evidence of the most perilous time in Elizabeth's life - the reign of her half-sister Mary. We explore up close Elizabeth's famous personal letter to Mary (known as the 'Tide Letter'), begging to be saved from imprisonment in the Tower of London. Nicola investigates the clues in the Tower for Elizabeth's time there, including contemporary graffiti carved into the ancient walls. She retraces Elizabeth's steps as she was imprisoned, in danger of execution.