Queen Elizabeth I Essay Example for Free

Queen Elizabeth I Essay Having come into power under abnormal circumstances, Queen Elizabeth faced many inter-related challenges throughout her forty-four year reign. She was a moderate politician but a popular presence in what came to be known as the Elizabethan Era, an era that witness a flourishing of arts with the English novel, the British seafaring prowess and perhaps most noticeably, the British defeat of the Spanish Armada. Despite these victories, Queen Elizabeth’s legacy is a troubling one for historians. Queen Elizabeth faced many attacks from her critics for a variety of reasons. Some believed that since she was the illegitimate child of King Henry VIII she was unfit for rule. This was perpetuated by both her brother and sister who tried to disown her and keep her from power. As with many of her foes, they would be defeated. Another front from which Queen Elizabeth faced scrutiny was from her fellow members of the monarchy. They were dissatisfied with her motto of â€Å"I see, and say nothing. † Because she was never married and was at the forefront of establishing the unpopular Church of England, Elizabeth’s ethical judgment was often called into question. In addition, her military record was haphazard. Although they famously defeated the Spanish Armada, Britain had other military engagements in Ireland, France and the Netherlands that were not nearly as successful. For too many in her party, she was only half-heartedly engaged with politics and her highest priority was in the cultural scene and the power it accorded her. Queen Elizabeth I is a famous historical figure whose complete story has yet to be told. As the last reigning ruler of the Tudor Dynasty, she ruled for forty-four years and saw Britain rise to prominence on the global stage.