Queen Elizabeth I HN 3099.

Last of the Tudor monarchs - born Greenwich 7 September 1533, daughter of Henry VIII and second wife Anne Boleyn. Early life full of uncertainties, chances of succeeding to the throne seemed slight once half-brother Edward was born in 1537. She was then 3rd in line behind Roman Catholic half-sister Princess Mary. Roman Catholics always considered her illegitimate narrowly escaping execution in a failed rebellion against Queen Mary in 1554. Elizabeth succeeded the throne on half-sister's death November 1558. Very well-educated (fluent in six languages), inherited intelligence, determination & shrewdness from both parents. Her 45-year reign generally considered the most glorious in English history. A secure Church of England established. Doctrines were laid down in the 39 Articles of 1563, a compromise between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. Her subjects accepted the compromise as the basis of their faith, and church settlements probably saved England from religious wars which France suffered in the second half of the 16th century. Elizabeth's reign saw voyages of discovery, by Francis Drake, Walter Raleigh, Humphrey Gilbert, to the Americas. These expeditions prepared England for an age of colonisation and trade expansion, which Elizabeth herself recognised by establishing the East India Company in 1600. Arts flourished during Elizabeth's reign. Country houses such as Longleat and Hardwick Hall were built, miniature painting reached its high point, theatres thrived - the Queen attended the first performance of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Composers such as William Byrd and Thomas Tallis worked in Elizabeth's court and at the Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace. The image of Elizabeth's reign is one of triumph and success. The Queen herself was often called 'Gloriana', 'Good Queen Bess' and 'The Virgin Queen'.