Mary, Queen of Scots

The great trouble of Elizabeth's reign was with Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. Mary was the great-granddaughter of Henry VII by his daughter Margaret. As the Roman Church had never recognised the marriage of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth's mother, Mary Queen of Scots could regard herself as rightful Queen of England.

Mary Stuart, who had married the Dauphin of France, became the Queen of France for a very short period and after quick death of her husband came back to Scotland in 1561.

In Scotland Mary Queen of Scots married her cousin Henry, Lord of Darnley in 1565. After the death of Darnley, who was said to be murdered by Mary's order, Queen of Scots fled from Scotland to England, where she threw herself on the mercy of the Queen of England. Elizabeth could neither allow Mary stay in England nor come back to France — in both cases Mary was very dangerous.

While Mary was staying in England, a great number of plots, which aimed at putting Mary on the English throne was discovered. Finally, after more than 20 years of Mary's exile, Elizabeth came to a decision to put Mary on trial for her support of the plots.

In 1587, the trial found Mary guilty in struggle against the English Queen. Mary was executed and the struggle between the rival Queens came to an end.

Elizabethan Times

Spanish King Philip after the death of Mary Stuart claimed the English throne. To enforce this claim in 1588 he sent Spanish fleet of 130 vessels called the Invincible Armada against England. The part of the great Armada was defeated by eight English fire-ships led by Francis Drake, other ships were driven by the storm to rocks. Only fewer than half of Spanish ships returned to Spain. This victory established English naval supremacy and put an end to Spanish colonial hegemony.

In the 16^th century, many famous English adventurers — the Sea-dogs tried to attack Spanish treasure ships and colonial possessions which were seen as lands of treasure. These Sea-dogs were secretly supported by Queen Elizabeth who understood the importance of colonial expansion. Elizabeth also assisted the merchants who wanted to establish overseas trade and found colonial settlements. They were granted charters and patents from the Queen.

With the support of the Queen Sir Francis Drake sailed round the world in 1577—1580, in 1585, Sir Walter Raleigh founded the first English colony in America. In 1601, the East India Company was founded to become soon the greatest English economic organisation.

In foreign policy Elizabeth I displayed great tact, encouraging various suitors for her hand, but avoiding any engagements. She was also the first monarch in England, who used religious beliefs as a tool in foreign policy. Secretly helping French and German Protestants she weakened balance of power in the countries, so she weakened her enemies.

The main attention of the Queen in domestic affairs was paid to economic growth, social improvement and intellectual development. In towns manufactures and trade showed the progress of industrialisation — trained craftsmen united into large manufacturing centres with former merchants as bosses. Foreign merchants now were replaced by powerful trade companies, which had their own ships. Close contacts with foreign countries led to the spread of such new industries as gunpowder, glass-making, sea-salt extraction.

The period of Elizabeth's reign was also a period of intellectual and poetic freedom, which reached its peak by the end of the 16^th century. That was the golden age of English literature and culture — so-called English Renaissance.

The famous Renaissance poets and artists brought the Renaissance spirit of optimistic hopefulness and joy enriched English patriotism and consolidation. The English were becoming a prosperous nation, proud of their monarch and their country.