The Virgin Queen
Unexpected coronation
Henry VIII's second wife, Anna Boleyn, gave birth to Elizabeth, but she was executed two years later. Elizabeth the first was crowned at Westminster Abbey due to her sister's severe health condition.
"My Lordes the lawe of nature moveth mee to sorrowe for my Sister, the burthen that is fallen upon me maketh me amazed... meane to direct all my accions by good advise and counseill"
The Red Rose was melted with the White
Elizabeth was depicted with a light skin tone with red cheeks. This entails three characteristics of the Queen: the 'legitimate' successor of the Houses of Lancaster and York; a virtue of loyalty to her people as her husband. And practically, as a cover-up of her faded beauty.
Marriage Question
Elizabeth never married even though she fancied several males in her court. Her childhood sweetheart Robert Dudley was the most evident candidate. However, conservative peers such as William Cecil disapprove of the Queen's consideration to marry Dudley. Political marriage was common among the European royal families as they could consolidate their reputation and benefit. Elizabeth solely rejected Philip II of Spain due to her sister's marriage experience.
Spanish Armada
The Protestant Dutch rebels received some English military aid to resist Spanish control. In 1587, Sir Francis Drake also commanded the English navy to assault the Spanish ports and vessels in the Caribbean sea. The Spanish Armada decided to take revenge at the coast of southeast England, but it was destructively defeated due to miscalculations and English naval tactics, which has enhanced England's diplomatic status.
Struggle with Mary, Queen of Scots
Mary (Queen of Scots) was Elizabeth’s relative and was once considered the heir of the English throne. Mary had three marriages and gave birth to the future James the first of England. As Mary claimed to possess the English crown, she was detained in England for 19 years and plotted to assassinate Elizabeth. Elizabeth eventually executed Mary in Feb 1587. They were buried side-by-side at Westminster Abbey as Elizabeth desired to restore kinship in the afterlife.
Overseas expansion
The expansion of the East India Company (EIC) benefited from the Expedition to North America during Elizabeth's reign. Sir Humphery Gilbert, who sailed across the Atlantic sea, named the first British colony as "Virginia" to commemorate the Virgin Queen- Elizabeth the first.
The EIC received a royal charter from Queen Elizabeth in late 1600 to monopolize trading within East of the Cape of Good Hope and West of the Straits of Magellan. Sir James Lancaster initiated the first expedition to the East and started trading with the South East Asian states. This shaped the golden foundation of the future British Empire.
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