Elizabeth I (1533-1603)

Elizabeth I was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn--a lady in waiting to Henry's first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Elizabeth was two years old when Henry had her mother beheaded for infidelity. As a young woman, Elizabeth received an excellent education. She studied both classical and modern languages and read extensively in history and theology. It is reported that she spoke six languages fluently.

Before she became queen, Elizabeth was suspected of plotting against the current queen, Mary Tudor who was Elizabeth's half sister. As a result, Elizabeth was confined for some time to the Tower of London. Apparently, Queen Mary did not hold a grudge, because, on her death bed, she named Elizabeth as her successor. Elizabeth ascended the throne of England in 1558.

Elizabeth's reign was troubled by religious conflicts both inside and outside England. Like her father, Elizabeth was protestant. Plots to replace her with Mary , Queen of Scots, a catholic, finally forced Elizabeth to have Mary executed. War with Phillip II, king of catholic Spain, lead to one of the world's most famous sea battles, the defeat of the Spanish armada sent by Phillip to invade England.