Elizabeth I was queen of England from 1558 until her death in 1603. During her 45-year reign, she transformed England into a strong Protestant nation and established itself as a major power on the world stage through naval victories over Spain. Her defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 secured England's position as the dominant naval power and established its identity as a sovereign state. Elizabeth also presided over the English Renaissance and fostered the growth of arts and literature during her reign, with playwrights like Shakespeare producing great works. She remained beloved by the English people for restoring stability and prosperity to the nation.

1. Elizabeth I

7. Life at the court of her father influenced a young Lady Princes’ world-view. Her father, the king married four more times and had one more of his wives beheaded. It was after that second execution, Elizabeth evidenced when an eight year old girl declared “I’ll never marry.” At that time nobody knew that she would stay true to her promise.