Elizabeth I, also known as Good Queen Bess, was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. By the time Elizabeth was crowned, many years of bitter rivalry between Roman Catholics and Protestants had left England divided and weak. Mary had also used up all of the royal money.

Elizabeth returned England to the Church of England. Elizabeth was always fearful of attack from Catholic France, Spain and Scotland, all of whom claimed the English throne.

Elizabeth inherited her father's intelligence and political skills and, using these, she helped to make England stronger and more prosperous than it had ever been.