Elizabeth I

Queen Elizabeth I was the second daughter of King Henry VIII. She was preceded by her older sister Mary I (Bloody Mary). She remained unmarried throughout her life and therefore produced no heirs. Queen Elizabeth I was succeeded by her cousin, James VI of Scotland(James I).

In 1558 Queen Elizabeth I took the throne and became one of three noteworthy monarchs of England. After almost forty five years of ruling she died in 1603. Queen Elizabeth I was able to skilfully manage and keep peace between the Parliament and many religious conflicts that were arising. In 1588 she also trampled over the massive Spanish Armada that made an effort to invade England. Queen Elizabeth's successful rule is called the Elizabethan Age.

For many centuries England had been considered a European backwater, situated on a remote and cold island. But this very fact now made England powerful. Freed from any European entanglement by repudiating the Pope, England turned its back on Europe and looked to the world, a process started during the reign of Elizabeth I. Sending ships and people across the globe, England founded many countries that are very important today: the USA, Canada, and Australia, to name just three.