Queen Elizabeth I
Over its centuries of existence, England has had many different rulers sit on its throne. One of the longest and most celebrated reigns in the country’s history is that of Queen Elizabeth I, who ruled
from 1558 to 1603. During her time as Queen, Elizabeth possessed many qualities that made her an exceptional monarch, including religious tolerance, support of the arts, and love for her people.
Elizabeth I became queen during a period of religious conflict in England. Unlike her sister Mary, who had been queen before Elizabeth and used her position as ruler to force her own beliefs on her subjects, Elizabeth approved a sort of compromise between Catholicism and Protestantism to satisfy both groups (“Elizabeth I”). This action showed that Queen Elizabeth had some compassion for the English as people, not just as subjects. As a result, the people of her kingdom loved her; those who had called her sister “Bloody Mary” now called Elizabeth “Good Queen Bess” (Lindbuchler; “Elizabeth I”). Of course, Elizabeth wasn’t perfect, and there was still some religious persecution under her reign. “[S]he passed harsh laws against Roman Catholics after plots against her life were discovered” (“Elizabeth I”), but she was still responsible for some steps toward religious tolerance in England. The religious atmosphere under her reign was certainly an improvement over past rulers and unusually tolerant for her time.
In addition to religious progress, Queen Elizabeth oversaw a great deal of cultural growth during her reign. Many of the arts for which England is known today began to grow while Elizabeth was on the throne: “Country houses . . . were built, miniature painting reached its high point, theatres thrived. . . . Composers worked in Elizabeth’s court” (“Elizabeth I”). Elizabeth even attended the premiere of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (“Elizabeth I”). Many of these art forms were successful in part because Elizabeth supported them. Thus, in a
from 1558 to 1603. During her time as Queen, Elizabeth possessed many qualities that made her an exceptional monarch, including religious tolerance, support of the arts, and love for her people.
Elizabeth I became queen during a period of religious conflict in England. Unlike her sister Mary, who had been queen before Elizabeth and used her position as ruler to force her own beliefs on her subjects, Elizabeth approved a sort of compromise between Catholicism and Protestantism to satisfy both groups (“Elizabeth I”). This action showed that Queen Elizabeth had some compassion for the English as people, not just as subjects. As a result, the people of her kingdom loved her; those who had called her sister “Bloody Mary” now called Elizabeth “Good Queen Bess” (Lindbuchler; “Elizabeth I”). Of course, Elizabeth wasn’t perfect, and there was still some religious persecution under her reign. “[S]he passed harsh laws against Roman Catholics after plots against her life were discovered” (“Elizabeth I”), but she was still responsible for some steps toward religious tolerance in England. The religious atmosphere under her reign was certainly an improvement over past rulers and unusually tolerant for her time.
In addition to religious progress, Queen Elizabeth oversaw a great deal of cultural growth during her reign. Many of the arts for which England is known today began to grow while Elizabeth was on the throne: “Country houses . . . were built, miniature painting reached its high point, theatres thrived. . . . Composers worked in Elizabeth’s court” (“Elizabeth I”). Elizabeth even attended the premiere of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (“Elizabeth I”). Many of these art forms were successful in part because Elizabeth supported them. Thus, in a