Elizabeth I, who ruled England from 1558 to 1603, is widely regarded as one of the most successful monarchs in English history. She presided over a period of relative stability and prosperity, oversaw the defeat of the Spanish Armada, and is credited with establishing England as a major power on the world stage. In this essay, I will argue that Elizabeth I was indeed a strong queen, using four detailed paragraphs that examine her political and economic policies, her handling of religious tensions, her military leadership, and her impact on culture and the arts. Firstly, Elizabeth I was a strong queen in terms of her political and economic policies. She inherited a country that was heavily in debt and politically unstable, but through her …show more content…
At a time when England was deeply divided between Protestants and Catholics, she managed to steer a middle course that avoided the worst excesses of religious extremism on both sides. She established the Church of England, which was Protestant in doctrine but allowed for a degree of ceremonial continuity with the Catholic Church. She also maintained a delicate balance between the different factions within her own government and prevented any one group from gaining too much power. Thirdly, Elizabeth I was a strong queen in terms of her military leadership. She recognized the threat posed by the Spanish Armada and took decisive action to defend England's shores, personally rallying her troops with a famous speech at Tilbury. Her leadership and the bravery of her naval commanders resulted in a stunning victory over the Spanish fleet, cementing England's reputation as a major naval power and protecting the country from invasion. Finally, Elizabeth I was a strong queen in terms of her impact on culture and the arts. She presided over a period of artistic and literary flourishing that saw the emergence of figures such as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. She herself was a skilled musician and writer, and her patronage of the arts helped to establish England as a cultural center of