The strength of Elizabeth I policy.

Elizabeth I was Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn’s daughter, she came to the throne in 1558, after the death of her sister Mary I.

She had received an excellent education and could speak French, Latin and Italian with ease , but above all she was a political genius. She had a strong personality, a lively intelligence and a passionate character.

She wore magnificent clothes adorned with rich jewels and used portraits to show herself to her people and impress their imagination.

She was unmarried and used this as a political weapon, encouraging the hopes of European princes with whom it was important to keep on good terms.

She became a good tolerant with Catholics; her Church of England restored the country firmly to Protestantism, yet she granted Catholics freedom of workship.

Elizabeth brought unity and defeated England’s enemies at home and abroad. She recognised Spain as her main trade rival and enemy. During her reign exploration and overseas trade expanded, making England a commercial and sea power.

Supremacy at sea enabled Elizabeth to lay the basis of England’s empire, chartering seven companies to colonise in the name of trade.