Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I was the Queen of England from 1558 to 1603, known for her intelligence, strong leadership, and the flourishing of arts and culture during her reign, known as the Elizabethan Era. The daughter of King Henry VIII, she successfully navigated religious conflicts and established Protestantism in England. Elizabeth's reign also saw exploration, including Sir Francis Drake’s circumnavigation of the globe, and the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, which bolstered England's naval power. Her legacy includes the promotion of the English language and literature, with figures like William Shakespeare emerging during her time.