Queen Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I
Queen of England and Ireland
Reign	17 November 1558 – 24 March 1603
Coronation	15 January 1559
Predecessor	Mary I
Successor	James I
Born	7 September 1533 Greenwich Palace, England
Died	24 March 1603 (aged 69) Richmond Palace, England
Burial	Westminster Abbey
House	Tudor
Father	Henry VIII
Mother	Anne Boleyn

Elizabeth I (7 September 1533 – 24 March 1603) was Queen of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death in 1603. She is often referred to as the Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess and was the fifth and last monarch of the House of Tudor.

Early Life

Elizabeth was the daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. Her birth was highly controversial as it led to the annulment of her father's marriage to Catherine of Aragon and initiated a break with the Roman Catholic Church. Elizabeth's early life was marked by royal favor and political intrigue. Following her mother's execution in 1536, Elizabeth's status shifted, and she was declared illegitimate.

Ascension to the Throne

After the death of her half-sister, Mary I, in 1558, Elizabeth ascended to the throne. Her reign, known as the Elizabethan Era, is famous for the English Renaissance, an age of English cultural flourishing, and for the strength and resilience she brought to the throne during periods of political and religious turmoil.

Reign

Elizabeth's reign saw significant developments and achievements. She established the English Protestant Church, with herself as its supreme governor, navigating complex religious conflicts throughout her reign. Her foreign policy was marked by diplomatic relations, notably with the Spanish Empire and the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Elizabeth's court was a center of the arts, patronized by numerous notable figures such as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. Her reign also saw the expansion of English colonial ventures in the Americas.

Legacy

Elizabeth I remains one of the most popular and enduring monarchs in British history. Her leadership during a time of political and religious upheaval, her support for the arts, and her skill in handling her council and subjects left a lasting legacy on England. She is celebrated for her political acumen and her patronage of the arts, which made the Elizabethan era a golden age of English culture.

Death and Succession

Elizabeth died on 24 March 1603 at Richmond Palace and was succeeded by James I, who united the crowns of England and Scotland. She was buried in Westminster Abbey.