In the Begining...

King Henry VII, Elizabeth's father, married a total of six women, divorcing or executing the current wife in order to marry the next, in her search for a wife who would birth him a son.

The unlawful annulment of his first marriage caused the Catholic Church to excommunicate him; starting the power struggle between the Protestant and Catholic religions that would trouble England throughout Elizabeth’s reign.

Elizabeth was the third in line for the crown; her half brother, Edward, and half sister Mary both die after brief reigns.  25 year old Elizabeth is crowned Queen of England in January 1559. 3 years after becoming Queen, she nearly died from small pox and it scarred her face.

Elizabeth ruled for 45 years. She grew the English economy; her subjects lived and ate well during her reign. She is credited herself with establishing the East India Company. Elizabeth avoided was France, Ireland, Scotland, and Spain

Her most famous military accomplishment was the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. Elizabeth passed away peacefully at age 69, March 24, 2008 marked the 405th anniversary of her death.