Elizabethan Age Nationalism

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“Her mind has no humanly weakness, her perseverance is equal to that of a man,” (Ashby 15) described the tutor, Roger Aschum, of the young Elizabeth long before she became one of the most famous queens in history. Elizabeth’s grace and poise were honored from the start, but it was her intellect and vigor that ultimately won her the last word. She was their King, this virgin Queen that defined her life with the love of no man but a country of loyal subjects. England prospered in culture and religion as well as establishing itself as a world power, all during Elizabethan times. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, nationalism soared due to the queen’s deep devotion to England which she portrayed through these four titles, or “faces” she adopted over the years; the Protestant Queen, the Virgin Queen, the Pirate Queen, and finally, Good Queen Bess. At the beginning of her rule, Elizabeth took on the Protestant Queen role, in order to reflect her deep religious beliefs, thus strengthening the morale of the growing Protestant population in England. The reign before Elizabeth brought about great religious conflict for England. Queen Mary, Elizabeth’s half sister and a devout Catholic, became known as “Bloody Mary” because of the many Protestants she ordered burned at the stake, never discriminating when it came to age or sex. (Thomas 71) An enraged Protestant portion of the country turned to their symbol of change, Lady Elizabeth, their symbol of hope; a Protestant queen. For the part she may have played in this rebellion, Elizabe... ... middle of paper ... ...int. Ashby, Ruth. Elizabethan England. New York: Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 1999. Print. Axelrod, Alan. Elizabeth I: Strategic Lessons From The Leader Who Built an Empire. Library of Congress Cataloging, 2000. Print. Bush, Catherine. Elizabeth I. New York: Chelsea House, 1988. Print. "Elizabethan Era." Famous Elizabethan Pirates. 5 July 2002. Web. 10 May 2010. . McMullen, Gabrielle. "The Elizabethan Age." The Academy of Literature and Drama. 11 Oct. 2003. Web. 10 May 2010. . Thomas, Heather. “Elizabeth I and the Church”. Elizabeth R. N.p., 1998-2009. Web. 30Apr. 2010. Thomas, Jane R. Behind the Mask: The Life of Queen Elizabeth I. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1998. Print.

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