Queen Elizabeth I Elizabeth I was born on 7th September 1533 at Greenwich Palace, London, England. Her mother was King Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn. She seemed to have little chance becoming queen, once her half-brother Edward was born in 1537. However, Edward died young and after her half sister Mary succeeded him. When Mary died in 1558, Elizabeth was proclaimed Queen. Her reign is often called the Golden Age of England because it was a time of great achievement and prosperity. She was well educated (fluent in six languages), and had inherited intelligence, determination from both parents. Although overbearing and impulsive, Elizabeth had wise political judgement and chose her ministers well; these included Burghley (Secretary of State), Hatton (Lord Chancellor) and Walsingham (in charge of intelligence and also a Secretary of State). Overall, Elizabeth's administration consisted of some 600 officials administering the great offices of state, and a similar number dealing with the Crown lands (which funded the administrative costs). Social and economic regulation and law and order remained in the hands of the sheriffs at local level, supported by unpaid justices of the peace. Elizabeth's reign also saw many brave voyages of discovery, including those of Francis Drake, Walter Raleigh and Humphrey Gilbert, particularly to the America. These expeditions prepared England for an age of colonisation and trade expansion, which Elizabeth herself recognized by establishing the East India Company in 1600. During her reign a secure Church of England was established. Its policy was laid down in the 39 Articles of 1563, a negotiation between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. The arts flourished during Elizabeth's reign. Country houses such as Longleat and Hardwick Hall were built, miniature painting reached its high point, theatres thrived - the Queen attended the first performance of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. The Queen herself was often called 'Good Queen Bess' and 'The Virgin Queen'. Investing in expensive clothes and jewellery (to look the part, like all royals), she cultivated this image by touring the country in regional visits known as 'progresses', often riding on horseback rather than by carriage. Elizabeth's reign was one of considerable danger and difficulty for many, with threats of invasion from Spain through Ireland, and from France through to Scotland. She passed harsh laws against Roman Catholics after plots against her life were discovered. One such plot involved Mary, Queen of Scots, who had fled to England in 1568 after her second husband's murder and her subsequent marriage to a man believed to have been involved in his murder. As a likely successor to Elizabeth, Mary spent 19 years as Elizabeth's prisoner because Mary was the focus for rebellion and possible assassination plots. Mary was also a temptation for potential invaders such as Philip II. In a letter of 1586 to Mary, Elizabeth wrote, 'You have planned … to take my life and ruin my kingdom ... I never proceeded so harshly against you.' Despite Elizabeth's unwillingness to take drastic action, on the persistence of Parliament and her advisers, Mary was tried, found guilty and executed in 1587. In 1588, aided by bad weather, the English navy scored a great victory over the Spanish invasion fleet of around 130 ships - the 'Armada'. The Armada was intended to overthrow the Queen and re-establish Roman Catholicism by conquest, as Philip II believed he had a claim to the English throne through his marriage to Mary. Elizabeth also strengthened England's position within Europe and the wider world. She disliked foreign wars and constantly sought peace and compromise with her often aggressive neighbours. But the war against Spanish Armada was not very successful after the Armada had been beaten and, together with other campaigns, it was very costly Despite the combination of financial strains and prolonged war after 1588, Parliament was not summoned more often. Spain was perhaps the greatest threat and in 1588 Philip II launched his Armada against England. However, the daring seamanship of men such as Drake and Hawkins, together with a turn in the weather, ensured the failure of this attempted invasion. It also helped to establish England as a power to be reckoned with, and this growing self-confidence was reflected in the voyages of discovery that were made by private adventurers. These expeditions ushered in an age of overseas expansion and colonisation, as well as introducing many new and "exotic" plants and food into the kingdom such as the potato. Elizabeth chose never to marry but there were some men who came close including and Robert Devereux- 2nd Earl of Essex. She used her marriage prospects as a political power tool in foreign and domestic policies. However, the 'Virgin Queen' who was devoted her life to her country was presented as a selfless woman who sacrificed personal happiness for the good of the nation. She once said she was married to the "Kingdom of England Problems marked the end of Elizabeth's reign. The Irish rebelled, the Earl of Essex lead a rebellion against the government, and the economy faltered. Elizabeth was the last legitimate descendant of Henry VIII. Overall, Elizabeth's always shrewd and when necessary, decisive leadership brought successes during a period of great danger both at home and abroad. She died at Richmond Palace on 24 March 1603, ending the Tudor period. By her wish her cousin James VI of Scotland became James I of England and the two thrones and countries were united. Her 45-year reign is considered one of the most glorious in English history.   Fashion Elizabeth's love of fashion has generally been interpreted as extravagance in dress, but the increasingly rich gowns were an essential part of her image as queen. She spent large amounts on her wardrobe. Her magnificent dresses were elegantly made from the most luxurious fabrics and were embroidered with complex little pieces of embroidery and priceless jewels. The many surviving portraits of her show the splendour of her clothing as do the various accounts written by people of the time. English Speaking Elizabeth I was fluent in both the written and spoken word. In an age when the written word was an important way of communication, letters carried great importance. Elizabeth was renowned as a powerful and fluent speaker. The language and style used suggests that she herself prepared the speeches that she gave on formal, pre-arranged occasions such as the meeting of Parliament. Yet she was also an excellent spontaneous speaker and could deliver exciting speeches and could respond to questions or criticism, as occasion required. The speeches that Elizabeth delivered to her parliament and people could be inspiring, and heart warming and they never failed to have a powerful impact on those present. Like father like daughter Elizabeth seemed to inherited Henry VIII's nasty temper and cruel nature. Did you know… * When Mary died Elizabeth said," This is in the Lord's doings and it is marvelous in pour eyes" Just like Henry dancing at the news of Catherine's death. * Ordered the death of Mary Queen of Scots…. Just as Henry ordered the death of Elizabeth's mother Jane. But Elizabeth did say sorry to James I Mary's son. * Had no hesitation in executing her best friend, The Earl of Essex. Just as Henry had done with his best friend Thomas Moore. * Had a temper of a spoilt child. She punched and kicked William Davison (her Secretary) if things didn't go the way she wanted. Just as bad tempered Henry abandoned his loyal servant Thomas Wolsey, because he didn't get the divorce he wanted. Time Line 1558- Elizabeth accedes to the throne at age 25 1559- Act of Supremacy restores Protestantism and establishes Elizabeth as head of Church of England. 1562- Francis Drake makes first slave-trading voyage to America. 1564- Birth of William Shakespeare. c.1565- First wooden pencil with a graphite lead invented in Switzerland. 1568- Mary Queen of Scots, flees to England in exile, imprisoned by Elizabeth 1577/80- Francis Drake completes first circumnavigation of the world by an English man. 1580- Elizabeth excommunicated by the Pope 1583- John Somerville attempts to assassinate Elizabeth. 1587- Mary Queen of Scots Executed. 1588- Spanish Armada defeated. 1592- John Davies discovers the Falkland Islands of the Argentinean coast. 1595- Sir Walter Raleigh makes his first trip to South America 1596- Sir Francis Drake dies of dysentery in the Caribbean 1597- Second Spanish Armada leaves for England, but is scattered by bad weather. 1599- The Edict of Nantes in France grants freedom the Protestants. 1601- Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, executed. 1603- Elizabeth dies last Tutor Monarch.