u/hisholinessleoxiii

In the Victorian era, there was a heavy emphasis on women as wives and mothers. The Victorian ideal was the "Angel of the home" who looked after their husbands and children, and Queen Victoria herself was frequently depicted with Prince Albert and surrounded by their children, and afterwards in mourning for her husband.

Elizabeth I, on the other hand, was "The Virgin Queen". She famously proclaimed that she had "the heart and stomach of a King" and refused to ever marry or have children, only allowing herself close friendships and flirtations with men like the Earl of Leicester or the Earl of Essex.

Did the Victorians, or Queen Victoria herself, look down on Elizabeth I at all for having her male companions but refusing to marry? Or was she seen as an exception to the ideal?

I know that thanks to an agreement between Harthacnut and Magnus I of Norway Harold Hardrada claimed the throne of England in 1066, invaded, and was defeated and killed by Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. But when he invaded in 1066, did he actually send a declaration of war to Harold Godwinson or William of Normandy? Did he have himself proclaimed King of England anywhere they might hear him before he arrived? Or was Harold Godwinson taken totally by surprise when he arrived in northern England? Did William of Normandy know anything about it in advance or when Hardrada arrived, or did he only find out what happened after his own arrival in England?