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Friends, Rivals, and Foes Who Shaped the Virgin Queen

Brayden Reed

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Published in Elizabeth S Women: Friends Rivals And Foes Who Shaped The Virgin Queen

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Elizabeth's Women: Friends, Rivals, and Foes Who Shaped the Virgin Queen

by Tracy Borman

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7855 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	497 pages

Friends

Elizabeth's closest friends were a small group of trusted confidants who provided her with support and advice. These included:

Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester: Dudley was Elizabeth's favorite courtier and most trusted advisor. He was a handsome and charming man who won the Queen's heart in the early years of her reign. Dudley was a skilled military commander and diplomat who played a key role in England's victory over the Spanish Armada.
William Cecil, Lord Burghley: Cecil was Elizabeth's chief minister and one of her most trusted advisors. He was a brilliant and cautious statesman who helped to guide England through a period of great political and religious turmoil. Cecil was a master of diplomacy and played a key role in negotiating the Treaty of Berwick, which ended the Anglo-Scottish Wars.
Frances Walsingham, Secretary of State: Walsingham was Elizabeth's spymaster and one of her most effective intelligence agents. He was a brilliant and ruthless man who played a key role in uncovering plots against the Queen. Walsingham was also a skilled diplomat and helped to negotiate the Treaty of Blois, which allied England with France against Spain.

Rivals

Elizabeth also had her share of rivals who challenged her authority and sought to undermine her reign. These included:

Mary Queen of Scots: Mary was Elizabeth's cousin and rival for the English throne. She was a beautiful and charismatic woman who had many supporters in England. Mary's claim to the throne was based on her descent from Henry VII, and she was seen by many as the rightful heir to the English crown. Elizabeth had Mary imprisoned in 1568 and executed in 1587 for her involvement in plots against the Queen.
Thomas Seymour, Lord Seymour of Sudeley: Seymour was Elizabeth's uncle and one of her early suitors. He was a handsome and ambitious man who sought to marry the Queen and become King of England. Seymour was executed in 1549 for treason after he was accused of plotting against the Queen.
Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex: Essex was Elizabeth's last favorite courtier and one of her most trusted advisors. He was a brilliant and ambitious man who sought to become the Queen's lover and eventually her husband. Essex was executed in 1601 for treason after he led a rebellion against the Queen.

Foes

Elizabeth also had a number of enemies who sought to overthrow her reign and restore the Catholic faith to England. These included:

Philip II of Spain: Philip was Elizabeth's most powerful enemy and the ruler of the Spanish Empire. He was a devout Catholic who sought to restore the Catholic faith to England and to overthrow Elizabeth. Philip sent the Spanish Armada to invade England in 1588, but the Armada was defeated by the English navy.
Pope Pius V: Pius V was the Pope who excommunicated Elizabeth in 1570 and called for her overthrow. He also issued a bull of deposition, which absolved English Catholics from their allegiance to the Queen.
The Catholic League: The Catholic League was a group of Catholic states that sought to restore the Catholic faith to England and to overthrow Elizabeth. The League was led by Philip II of Spain and included France, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Papacy.

Elizabeth I's reign was marked by a cast of complex and fascinating characters who played significant roles in shaping her life and legacy. From loyal advisors to bitter rivals, these individuals left an indelible mark on the Virgin Queen and her era. Elizabeth's ability to navigate the treacherous waters of court politics and to outmaneuver her enemies is a testament to her intelligence, wit, and determination. She was a truly remarkable woman who left a lasting legacy on England and the world.

Elizabeth's Women: Friends, Rivals, and Foes Who Shaped the Virgin Queen

by Tracy Borman

4.4 out of 5