Elizabeth I is considered the greatest monarch in the hearts of many British people, initiating the first "Golden Age" of modern England. She was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty, known as the "Virgin Queen" and the "Glorious Queen."
Elizabeth was born on September 7, 1533, at Placentia Palace. Her father was King Henry VIII of England, and when she was only two years old, her mother was executed, which led to her being excluded from the line of succession. After the death of Henry VIII, her half-brother Edward VI became king. During this time, Elizabeth began receiving formal education under a governess, mastering multiple languages and becoming one of the best-educated women of her time.
In 1553, Edward VI died at the age of just 15; however, after only nine days of her reign, his successor, Jane Grey, was completely overthrown by Elizabeth's sister Mary. However, since Mary was a very devout Catholic and suppressed Protestantism, dissatisfaction quickly rose within England, and Elizabeth was seen as the core figure opposing Mary. In 1554, with the rebellion suppressed, Elizabeth was placed under house arrest.
In 1556, since Mary had no heirs, she had to summon Elizabeth back to the palace. On November 17, 1558, Mary died, and Elizabeth, only 25 years old, became the heir. On January 15, 1559, Elizabeth was crowned by a Catholic bishop at Westminster Abbey and anointed with holy oil, officially becoming the Queen of England amidst music.
However, at this time, England faced both internal and external troubles: internally, there was fierce struggle between Catholics and Protestants; externally, there were powerful nations such as Spain and France eyeing England. In such an environment, Elizabeth displayed her extraordinary political wisdom. With the assistance of William and Walsingham, she largely diminished the power of the Church. During her reign, she also suppressed the rebellion of her cousin, Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, and executed her.
Afterward, she enacted a more tolerant religious policy that accommodated both Catholics and Protestants, easing domestic pressures. Externally, nobles from Spain, France, and Russia all pursued her, but she remained unmarried for life, balancing the relationships between England and these great powers.
In military affairs, Elizabeth provided substantial support to British pirates in the Caribbean and, in 1588, collaborated with them to jointly defeat the Spanish Armada. It can be said that it was Elizabeth who led the once-mighty Spanish Armada to decline.
Modern views suggest that Elizabeth's cause of death was lead poisoning resulting from long-term use of lead powder to whiten her skin. On March 24, 1603, she died at Richmond Palace in Surrey, and James I, the son of Mary Stuart, was appointed as her successor. Her death also marked the end of the Tudor dynasty.