Was Elizabeth I a Good Queen

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Was Elizabeth A Good Queen?

Assignment:

Elizabeth I ruled England for 45 years between 1558 and 1603. William Shakespeare, an English playwright, and King Philip II of Spain would have had two very different views of Elizabeth’s reign. How would they answer the question:

Was Elizabeth a good Queen?

On behalf of each man your task is to write a response to that question. Length: 500 Words.

Both men would have thought she was a good and admirable queen, but Shakespeare was enjoying the benefits of this whereas King Philip II of Spain would have been in a worse position due to England’s rapidly growing power. They would have admired her because she was leading England to a better future. This is portrayed in the “Ditchley Portrait” which shows Queen Elizabeth leading England out of the darkness (symbolised by storm clouds) and into the light. But of course, this image was commissioned by herself so may not be such an accurate source but it was true that England was becoming a stronger nation.

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A quote from a school textbook: “England was rapidly becoming a great sea power – a great protestant sea power”. This is one of the reasons why King Philip would not have liked her as before, Spain had been the strongest sea power before and a catholic one too. That doesn’t mean he didn’t admire her though. Her success as a Queen would have meant he admired her and was probably very envious of her. Although she was a protestant, Soon after she had beheaded his second wife (Mary Queen of Scots) King Philip asked to marry her which shows ...

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