Elizabeth I was born on September 7, 1533, in Greenwich near London, England. She was the daughter of King Henry VII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. Elizabeth being born a girl was a huge disappointment to King Henry. He’d hoped for a male heir. Prior to her third birthday, King Henry had Elizabeth’s mother beheaded on charges of adultery. From infancy, Elizabeth was brought up in a separate household. It was King Henry’s six wife from which Elizabeth profited from the most. Under a series of distinguished tutors, Elizabeth received the rigorous education normally reserved for male heirs. Her education consisted of studies centering on classical languages, history, rhetoric, and moral philosophy. Elizabeth was fluent in many languages. In later years this served her well I conduct of diplomacy. It was only after the death of her half sister Mary Tudor, that Elizabeth inherited the throne.
The accomplishments and achievements of Queen Elizabeth I, have given her the reputation of the greatest monarch of England. One major accomplishment of Queen Elizabeth, is that she ever survived to become Queen of England.. The execution of her mother, based on charges of treason, adultery and incest, left her branded as a bastard child by her father. She lost the title of Princess Elizabeth and was referred to as Lady Elizabeth. Princess Elizabeth survived numerous scandals herself. Being a gifted scholar, she was able to choose excellent advisors and statesmen, but not be dominated by them. It was during her reign that there was a widespread increase in literacy and great achievements in the arts. During the era of Queen Elizabeth I, great poets and playwrights emerged. Some examples of the great poets and playwrights that emerged during the Golden Age were, William Shakespeare, Edmund Spenser, Christopher Marlowe and Sir Walter Raleigh.