The Achievements of Elizabeth 1

When Elizabeth 1 first inherited England from her catholic half-sister it was in a depressive state. After the 44 year reign of Elizabeth it was a prosperous and powerful country; attributing to the reason the Elizabethan era has taken on the name “The Golden Age”. Elizabeth’s reign lasted until the year of her death in 1603 . In that time she had many achievements majorly in areas of religion, survival, exploration, expansion and thwarting rebellion and invasion. She was seen as an intelligent and powerful female leader and her major achievements can, to some extent, be attributed to her prowess as a ruler along with her personality and connection to the people. “I do not so much rejoice that God hath made me to be a Queen, as to be a Queen over so thankful a people.” — Elizabeth I
Elizabeth was a powerful woman in a man’s world however her achievements started long before her reign. Surviving long enough to become a Monarch was an achievement in itself. Her mother, Anne Boleyn, was executed on charge of treason, adultery and incest meaning Elizabeth was branded a bastard by her father King Henry VIII and was stripped of her title as princess when she was young . She had a jealous half sister named Mary who reigned for five years (1553-1558). During that time Mary had Elizabeth locked up and interrogated in the tower of London from March until May 1554. She was accused of taking part in the protestant rebellion; her survival accredited to some extent her competence as a ruler. During Elizabeth’s reign there were many Catholic plots and conspiracies. An example of this was The Babbington plot in 1586 the involvement in which Elizabeth charged Mary Queen of Scots to be executed angering King Phillip II of Spain.
Elizabeth was educated and studious, a gifted scholar. She spoke fluently many languages including French, Latin, Greek, Spanish and Welsh. This helped her aptitude as a ruler to some extent because she could communicate easily with many different people and to another extent her accessibility as a ruler also contributed to her prowess. Her reign saw the widespread of achievements in the arts, literacy and exploration. Many famous playwrights and poets appeared during her time, including William Shakespeare and Sir Walter Raleigh.
During this time there was also significant overseas expansion. Exploration outside of Europe was also encouraged. Elizabeth often associated with Sir Francis Drake; an explorer who claimed England’s control over New Albion (California). Drake would go on to destroy a Spanish fleet in Cadiz, further upsetting King Phillip II of Spain. In regards to expansion Queen Elizabeth declined offers by the Dutch commission for sovereignty of the Low Countries, instead issuing a declaration taking the Netherlands under her protection. The new thinking that was formed in the Renaissance was also imminent and encouraged in the Elizabethan era, attributing to some extent its name “the Golden Age”
Elizabeth’s good reputation was widespread as she constantly surrounded herself with loyal and intelligent advisors; however she was not controlled by them. Her important advisors included Sir William Cecil, Sir Francis Walshingham and Sir Robert Cecil. In the year 1571 Elizabeth renamed William Cecil; Lord Burleigh. She moved him to the position of Lord Treasurer, and replaced him as Secretary of State. The Lord Treasurer position was held with the more aggressive but equally as loyal Francis Walshingham. Elizabeth's ability to work productively with them was perhaps one of the most crucial strengths of her rule and prowess. Even her more minor advisors were talented and valuable. However these major achievements were not the only thing attributing to her prowess. It can also be said because of her personality that she was popular.
When Elizabeth first came to the throne in 1558 England had experienced several decades of religious unrest. The past three monarchs Henry VII, Mary and Edward’s had all meant drastic religious changes. Her prowess as a ruler was attributed to highly by her religious tolerance and achievement. Mary’s reign had meant the persecution of Protestants in England and Elizabeth had adhered to Catholicism during that time. Elizabeth’s protestant upbringing conversely meant she was faithful to her belief. During her time as ruler she disliked protestant extremists called puritans even more than the catholic radicals. She preferred a more moderate approach. Some historians have questioned her faithfulness to Protestantism because of her refusal to make changes to the church she established in 1559. These statements are misleading because Elizabeth was mostly concerned with peace and stability in her realm, “There is only one Christ, Jesus, One faith” she proclaimed meaning that Elizabeth did not want to make the Catholics less accepting of the church by heading it in a more protestant direction. She passed the Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity (1559), introduced the Prayer Book of 155 and the Thirty-Nine articles (1563) which were all protestant in principle but preserved many traditionally Catholic rituals. It was from this doctrine which emerged the “Church of England” . All of this tolerance and achievement contributed to her reputation as a good ruler.
During her reign Elizabeth encountered many problems associated with invasion. A very important achievement for Elizabeth and the English navy was the overthrowing of the Spanish Armada in 1588. King Phillip II of Spain had been married to her half-sister Queen Mary I (bloody Mary) briefly giving him control over the English channel and after her death this was no longer the case. Mary Queen of Scots proclaimed had she ever become Queen that he would succeed her but she was executed by Elizabeth. In 1587 Sir Francis Drake (already an English hero) damaged and destroyed several Spanish ships at Cadiz that were being prepared for the Armada, in what Phillip thought was full knowledge of the Queen, he prepared to invade. Due to military tactic such as “Hell burners” (ships on fire), changes in wind direction, weather and some help from the Catholic Irish it was a defeat for the English. It was a feat for Elizabeth because she did take some control over the tactic and insisted that Drake wait and that scouts be sent forward contributing to her prowess and intelligence.
Queen Elizabeth the first was faced with many threats to her survival, religious unsettlement and invasion during her time as a monarch however Elizabeth the first left behind a powerful and prosperous nation. Her major achievements contributed to some extent her prowess along with her connection to the people, her reign would be one of the most significant in European history with many positive changes and legacies. Elizabeth would be remembered as a good ruler with prowess and intelligence for centuries to come.