Queen Elizabeth

England became very aggressive towards outside influence and other foreign affairs. Religious uproar was not one of Elizabeth’s external dangers because the time was too late for crusades. In addition, there were no countries that threatened an armed invasion. Yet, England and other Northern European countries could no longer deal with Spain and their views. Because Spain had been the first to discover the New World, they believed they were the new world power. In addition, the Spaniards mocked England for taking a more defensive side with their military. England was greatly offended by this and they were determined to break up the Spanish monopoly in the old world, as well as the New World. Spain on the other hand wanted England conquered because England constantly captured treasure-bearing ships dispatched from Spain and continuously raided rich New World settlements. So Spain and England both wanted each other eliminated and were both ready to send armadas. Elizabeth delayed the breach as long as she could, probably because she knew that war meant taxation, and that taxation was the most prolific parent of revolt. Nevertheless, Elizabeth sent out the English Armada towards Spain. It was a brutal, bloody fight, the Spanish Armada, the greatest fleet at the time, was defeated. With the defeat of the Spanish Armada, Elizabeth’s work was done, and during the last fifteen years of her reign, she got more out of touch with her people. Her closest barons, writers, and favorites gradually died, and the childless queen was alone in a growing world. She died March 24, 1603.

From a very young age, Elizabeth exhibited amazing qualities of a polished author. She quickly befriended many famous play writes and poets including Sir Walter Ralegh and William Shakespeare. In addition to “advertising” and bringing attention to the works of these two men, she also wrote her own poetry. Throughout her years in power, she always promoted the arts. She made several small changes to teaching laws and the state syllabus. Elizabeth made quite certain that the works of the greatest authors and poets were studied in schools.