Elizabeth I had an infamous legacy to live down. The daughter of Henry VIII, famous for beheading his wives and Anne Boleyn, famous for being a beheaded wife, Elizabeth I was never treated fully as a princess. In an age where intrigue and deception played a daily part of life, Elizabeth I grew up in the midst of court life.

She was born at Greenwich, one of the royal estates on September 7, 1533. Elizabeth's mother was Henry's second wife, Anne Boleyn. As a child, Elizabeth dealt with the remainder of Henry's wives, always searching for a woman who could be mother to her and ensure her safety. At times, she was set aside and the title of Princess disregarded. Upon Henry VIII's last days, he restored Elizabeth and her sister Mary (daugher by Catherin of Aragon, Henry's first wife) to their full title of Princess and placed them back in the line of succession. Edward VI, a ten year old boy took the throne upon his father's death and developed England into a strictly Protestant country. His reign was short, as he died from tuberculosus in 1553. A brief nine day reign by Lady Jane Grey (a great niece of Henry VIII) ended in her execution and Mary ascended the throne. She became known as Bloody Mary (hence the drink) in her quest to turn England into a Catholic country. During her reign, she removed Elizabeth from the line of succession, determined to marry and have children to continue her Catholic rule. Mary married Philip, King of Spain and ended with a childless marriage. Mary's health got the better of her, and just prior to her death in 1558, reinstated Elizabeth as the heir to the throne.

Elizabeth became Queen of England in 1558 and reigned until her death in 1603. Her reign is often called the Golden Age of England because it was a time of great achievement and prosperity. Elizabeth succeeded in furthering England's interests in the face of foreign threats and religious unrest at home. Highlights of her reign include making the Church of England (a Protestant denomination) the state religion, while avoiding war with the powerful Roman Catholic nations of Europe; English navy's defeated of the Spanish Armada; English merchant ships challenged Spanish preeminence on the high seas; the first settlers were sent to America to open the way for a great colonial empire, and England's economy flourished. The English court became a center for writers, musicians, and scholars. English literature thrived during this period, with Francis Bacon composing his Essays, and William Shakespeare writing his great works of drama and poetry.

On a more personal note, Elizabeth never married. She was known as the Virgin Queen, though it has been written that she was in love with Sir Robert Dudly, Earl of Leicester and her Master of Horse. The formal reasons stated for avoiding a marriage with Sir Robert was because the match lacked any political benefits...most likely one of the very ambitious queen's goals. However, Sir Dudley had been married and his wife died in a very suspicious manner, which completely disallowed any further entanglement with the Queen of England. Though they never married, Robin Dudley was never far from her side.

She entertained both Protestant and Catholic suitors while committing to no one. She used her single status as a policy tool. By entertaining Catholic suitors she kept hostile Catholic monarchs at bay, and English Catholics loyal to her government.

Problems at home 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 decendant of Henry VIII. She was succeeded by James I, son of Mary Queen of Scots and her second husband, Elizabeth's cousin Lord Darnley.

Historical facts researched from:
www.britannica.com
http://www.royal.gov.uk/

Books and movies based (somewhat loosely at times) on the life of Queen Elizabeth:

DVDs

Shakespeare in Love
Elizabeth

Novels

Skye O'Malley by Bertrice Small
A Woman of Passion by Virginia Henley