Quenn Elizabeth I

ELIZABETH I (1533-1603)

Among England's past rulers are two famous queens— Elizabeth I and Victoria. The earlier of these queens, Elizabeth I, reigned during a most exciting time. America had been discovered not long before, and a whole New World was waiting to be explored.
Elizabeth I was 25 years old when she became queen. England was then poor. The people were quarreling among themselves about religion and many other things. The country had no friends among the other nations. There was even danger that France would conquer England.
But Elizabeth I proved to be a strong ruler. She was interested in everything new. Soon her seamen were going on daring voyages to explore the New World. Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Francis Drake were two of the most famous explorers. English ships went out to trade with countries in all parts of the Oíd World, too. Never before had the English flag been seen in so many faraway places.
The Queen brought an end to the trouble with France. Later, in 1588, King Philip II of Spain sent his powerful fleet, the Spanish Armada, to conquer England. Elizabeth's seamen won a great victory.
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