Queen Elizabeth I

Posted by Tel Asiado Sep 7, 2008

Today, September 7 (1558) is the birthday of Elizabeth I, Queen of England (1558-1603). She was the daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Her reign saw England's rise as a major European power.

On her succession to the throne, Queen Elizabeth I re-established Protestantism by the Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity in 1559. Despite her relatively tolerant administration, Roman Catholic discontent led to the Rising of the Northern Earls, the Ridolfi Plot, and to subesequent plots in favour of Mary, Queen of Scots, the Roman Cathoalic claimant to the succession. Mary was eventually executed as a threat to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth I refused to marry.

She directed her foreign policy towards reducing the powers of the Roman Catholicism, France and Spain, without war provocation either. Despite it, in 1587 war with Spaian still broke out and even with the defeat of the Spanish Armada the following year, war still continued throughout her reign.

Elizabeth I's last years were times of financial difficulties and by the Earl of Essex's rebellion.

By herself, Queen Elizabeth I had a strength of character and immeasurable shredness. She also had competent advisers, such as Lord Burghley and William Cecil.