Queen Elizabeth

The Elizabethan Age in Europe brought many things to the modern world. Paintings, inventions, and architectural structures are a few examples. One person in particular was very important during this time, Elizabeth I, the Queen of England. The Reformation and the Renaissance are two periods during this time that shaped the way we make art, buildings, and even the way we educate in our school systems. The three topics of Queen Elizabeth, the Reformation, and the Renaissance are crucial to learn about since they helped shape the modern world.

Queen Elizabeth was born at Greenwich on September 7, 1533 (Rowse, Queen Elizabeth and Her Subjects p. 15). She had a strong personality and tough political skills. She used marriage proposals and flirting with many suitors as leverage in the betterment of England. She reigned over England without ever marrying or having children. Her father, Henry VIII was known for executing his wives that did not give him a male child. Anne Boleyn was executed for not giving him a son, but she gave him a daughter who would live to be a legend of England. Elizabeth grew up having numerous stepmothers. She saw them die giving birth, and beheaded by her father. Some say that this is the reason she never married. Others think that she did not want to share the power of the throne. During her childhood, Elizabeth was well taught by educated scholars. When her education was completed, she knew and could speak French, Latin, and Italian, she knew a little Greek and a less Hebrew; in her own language, she was a born orator, eloquent, incisive, vigorous (Rowse, Queen Elizabeth and Her Subjects p. 24). Near the time of his death, King Henry VIII had declared the line of succession. It would be Prince Edward VI, Mary, and then Elizabeth. King Edward VI soon fell ill and died at a young age, so it was time for Queen Mary I to take over the throne. An issue had come up regarding the throne between Queen Mary I and Elizabeth. Mary had thought Elizabeth...