Expert: Mark Smith - 9/11/2010

Question
I am doing a project at school and I an wondering if you can help by answering some questions about Queen Elizabeth 1.
What was Queen Elizabeths 1 greatest achivemnet?
Why did't she marry?
Who influenced her the most?
I hope you are able to help. Thank You From Asha


Answer
Hello Asha.
Among Elizabeth I's main achievements is the religious and political unity she established after the chaos of the Protestant Reformation under her father, Henry VIII and her half-brother, Edward VI, followed by the Catholic counter-Reformation under her half-sister Mary I. The Church of England as we know it today was established by Elizabeth.
She also made England into one of the leading powers in Europe, especially through her naval power which laid the foundations of the British Empire, the beginnings of which came during her reign with expeditions to the Americas. Spain, which was the world's leading power at the beginning of her reign was in decline by the end of it, only France could equal England's power. English trade grew rapidly and agricultural yields increased. There was also a cultural growth with the opening of new schools and iniversities.

It's still a mystery why she never married. Some suggest she was afraid to commit herself after seeing the disastrous marriages her father went through and the fate of his wives. But it's more likely she felt she could not submit herself to any man when she was Queen, she felt she could not allow any man to usurp her role as ruler as in those days a wife was expected to submit to her husband in all things, something a reigning Queen could not allow.

I don't think she was influenced by anyone in particular. She certainly learnt from the experiences of others, such as her father and siblings and saw how such Monarchs as Mary, Queen of Scots and the Kings of France suffered under religious strife and over-mighty nobles challenging for power.
Mark