| Elizabeth I (1533-1603) | |
| Queen of England, 1558-1603 | |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
 Elizabeth I, 1533-1603. © NMM |
Elizabeth I has become one of the most popular monarchs in English history.
Her reign witnessed a period of prosperity, a flourishing of the arts, significant feats of exploration and successful English resistance to the might of Spain, then the most powerful country in Europe.
Elizabeth was known both for extensive knowledge and for her extravagant dress.
Elizabeth extended the authority of Trinity House, allowing it to light beacons throughout England; in 1573, she granted Trinity House its own coat of arms with the motto ‘Trinitas in Unitate’ (Trinity in Unity)
In 1558, she appointed a Commission to select ‘legal quays’ on the Thames in London; these were special places for the landing of foreign goods; this measure helped London’s commercial expansion
In 1600 she signed the Charter of the English East India Company.
 |
| Counter commemorating Queen Elizabeth I. © NMM |
Throughout her forty-four year reign, Elizabeth received many marriage proposals but never married or had any children.
| 1533 | Born and christened at Greenwich, she was the second daughter of King Henry VIII. |
| 1558 | Became Queen after the death of her sister Mary. |
| 1585 | Elizabeth sides with the Netherlands against Spain. |
| 1587 | The English successfully attack a Spanish fleet at Cadiz. |
| 1588 | Defeat of the Spanish Armada. |
| 1595 | Spanish land in Cornwall and burn Penzance. |
| 1597 | Essex leads an unsuccessful expedition against the Spanish, but bad weather defeats the second Spanish Armada. |
| 1603 | Elizabeth dies and is succeeded by James VI of Scotland, who becomes James I of England. |
|
|
|
|
