Queen Elizabeth I's Reign

Overall Reign

Ascended The Throne

17 November 1558

Coronation

15 January 1559

End Of Reign

24 March 1603

Religion

Establishment of English Protestant Church

1559

This event is described as “The Revolution of 1559,” and was made possibly by two different policies approved by the Queen and Parliament. The first one was “The Act of Supremacy of 1559,” which gave Elizabeth the title ‘Supreme Governor,’ and officially separated the English Church from Rome. The second one was “The Act of Uniformity of 1559” which established the direction the English Church would take.

Marriage (Extension of foreign policy)

Her considerations for marriage were always political. Marriage was something she always considered to be an extension and inclusion of foreign policy and therefore something she did not take lightly.

Turned Down Philip II

1559

After turning him down, she focused her attention on Philip's cousin the Archduke Charles of Austria.

Considered Henry Duke of Anjou

1569 - 1572

Elizabeth Considered Henry Duke of Anjou for a potential marriage, but after some courting, she focused her attention on his brother.

Relations With Habsburgs Are Bad

1569

Due to deteriorating relations with the Habsburgs, Elizabeth turns her focus away from them and focuses on others for a proper marriage alliance.

Relations With The Habsburgs Are Bad

1569

Due to deteriorating relations with the Habsburgs, Elizabeth turns her focus away from them and focuses on others for a proper marriage alliance. Her considerations for marriage were always political.

Advisers Accept Single Status of Elizabeth

1570

By this year most if not all of Elizabeth's advisers had accepted the fact that she was going to remain an unmarried queen, and instead attempted to convince her to name a successor which she never did do.

Considered Francis Duke of Anjou

1572 - 1581

This is the longest courtship that Elizabeth partook, but ultimately did not end in either a political marriage or a love one.

Speech About Who She Is Married To

1599

In one of her more famous speeches Elizabeth makes the claim that she is married to her throne and to people, "all my husbands, my good people."

Foreign Policy

Netherlands Expedition

1585 - 1587

The Treaty of Nonsuch promised military support to the Dutch from Elizabeth. However upon the invasion of the Spanish troops, she did not follow through with the treaty. She couldn't commit herself and her country to the cause.

War With Spain

1585 - 1604

The longest engagement that existed during Elizabeth's reign. It was a contested battle for political gain.

Spanish Armada

12 July 1588 - 29 July 1588

The Spanish Armada set out to conquer the country of England. However, were met with English fire ships who defeated the Armada. Considered Elizabeth's biggest war and foreign policy triumph of her reign. She gave the troops one of her most memorable speeches in which she said "My loving people, we have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit ourself to armed multitudes for fear of treachery; but I assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people ... I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a King of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any Prince of Europe should dare to invade the borders of my realm."