Queen+Elizabeth+I

**Queen Elizabeth I **

** Introduction **

Queen Elizabeth I was very important during her reign of Queen. Hence, the name of the time period the Elizabethan Era, also called the Golden Age or the Renaissance. This time period occurred from 1550 to 1650 in the 16th century. She was a very strong independent woman and did her best to make England prosper after what had happened to the country during Mary's reign. She helped the religious troubles largely reduce and made the country a secure, safe place. She left a huge impact on the country, which would give the next ruler large shoes to fill. There are many interesting things to learn about Queen Elizabeth I including her background, how she helped with the Protestant religion, and her legacy .


 * Background **

Queen Elizabeth I was born on September 7, 1533 in Greenwich (Elizabeth 238). Her parents were King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, whom was his second wife. She became Queen in 1558 at the age of 25(Grimbly 50). Her coronation day when she was officially crowned Queen was on January 15, 1559. Elizabeth was 70 years old when she died in Richmond on March 24, 1603, which ended her 45-year reign (Delderfield 72). She was buried at Westminster, Abbey (72). She was the last of the Tudor dynasty and was preceded by King James I. She was a very intelligent individual, knowing nine languages fluently (72). Along with being a popular Queen, she was also known as the "Virgin Queen" and "Good Queen Bess" (Ashby 15). She was known as the "Virgin Queen" because she never married and never had any children. Therefore, she never had an heir to the throne. She often was offered to marry but never accepted to anyone. However, she once supposedly fell in love with Sir Robert Dudley, who was the Earl of Leicester. That did not work out and they, of course, never married (15). Some of the Protestants were concerned that she never married to have an heir to the throne because they were worried that another ruler like Mary would come along again and Catholicism would take over again. On the other hand, never marrying had its benefits and advantages to control political rivals (Grimbly 50). She often had conflicts with Parliament about marrying, but she never gave in and remained independent. Another advantage to never marrying was that she wouldn't have to take on the responsibilities and fulfill expectations as a wife (Phillips117). Even though she was the Queen, she would have still had those responsibilities as a wife.


 * Religion **

Throughout Queen Elizabeth’s reign, she contributed to the Protestant religion by making it the official religion of England. One step to pass the Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity was to re-establish the Church of England, which she made a Protestant denomination (Grimbly 50) (Phillips 115). Previously, during Mary's reign, Catholicism was the main religion and the Protestants were discriminated against harshly. However, this new arrangement, with the Protestant religion did not treat the Catholics harshly (Phillips 115). She discouraged Catholicism but did not completely abolish it.

Queen Elizabeth's legacy had a phenomenal impact during her reign and even to this day. One of her greatest accomplishments was defeating the Spanish Armada (Phillips 114). She greatly improved the economy of the country while she was Queen. When she first came to the throne, the country was all but bankrupt (114). She was driven to try to bring peace and stability upon England (Grimbly 50). Seeing how the time period was also called the Golden Age, meaning time of great achievement, it is evident that she did a great amount for the country. She helped it become powerful to other European countries (Peters). Her people loved her and greatly respected her as a queen and as a person. To this day people still have great respect for her as well as in the past. She left the country a safe place, contrary to Mary's reign.
 * Her Legacy **


 * Conclusion **

In conclusion, Queen Elizabeth I of England had reigned a total of 45 prosperous years. She was very popular with the people and they loved her. Even to this day, she is greatly respected. After all she did for the country, she deserved to have the time period named after her. Despite the way that "Bloody Mary" had left the country, she made England a better country. She left the country a safe and secure place for the Protestants and all the people of England in general. She was a remarkable Queen despite the fact that she never married. There are many interesting things to learn about Queen Elizabeth I including her background, how she helped with the Protestant religion, and her legacy.