Queen Elizabeth Keynote Presentation--ENGL 323

Queen Elizabeth I ruled England from 1558 to 1603 during a time of religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants. As a Protestant monarch, Elizabeth persecuted Catholics who pledged allegiance to the Pope rather than her. In 1588, the Spanish Armada attempted to invade England on behalf of Catholic Spain but was destroyed in a storm, seen as an act of God protecting Protestant England. As she aged without an heir, Elizabeth centralized power in the monarchy and defended England against threats, dressing as a soldier to inspire troops against the Spanish. Upon her death in 1603 without children, King James VI of Scotland took the throne, bringing peace but less faith in the monarchy as he squandered funds.