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Elizabeth I of England.

directly on their courtiers, especially ambassadors in for-
eign courts—prestige by association. As a woman, Eliz-
abeth was at a disadvantage within the international
hierarchy; however, her intellect, judgment, and grasp of
foreign policy became legendary. Consequently, as her
reign proceeded, the reputation of both Elizabeth and of
England grew.Visual images of Elizabeth were also tightly
controlled. Paintings presented her as a powerful ruler
and cultivated her image as a forever youthful virgin
queen who was married to England and her subjects.
Elizabeth used her travels around the country to make
herself visible to her subjects. Her courtiers were often
amazed at how she allowed the common people to
approach her.
Religious divisions were a major issue throughout
Elizabeth’s reign. Her father, Henry VIII, had rebelled
Cecil’s admiration for her grasp of policy and politics is against the pope and rejected the Catholic church,
evident in his remark that “there never was so wise a which dominated Europe. Subsequently, Queen Mary,
woman born, for all respects, as Queen Elizabeth, for she Elizabeth’s half-sister, had returned England to Catholi-
spake and understood all languages; knew all estates and cism and married Philip II, the Catholic king of Spain.
dispositions of Princes.And particularly was so expert in Mary had persecuted people who had resisted the
the knowledge of her own realm and estate as no coun- Catholic religion. Elizabeth was aware of the religious
sellor she had could tell her what she knew not before” polarities within England and was more tolerant.
(Somerset 1997, 64). Although she returned her country to Protestantism,
Although Elizabeth never traveled beyond England, Elizabeth recognized the dangers of encouraging the
she was not an insular queen. Indeed, she was an expert extremist elements of Protestantism. She insisted on
on foreign policy, and one of her legacies was the estab- changes in church services but retained many of the
lishment of England as a maritime nation. Although she trappings of Catholic worship, such as crucifixes, cleri-
never formally condoned piracy on the high seas, Eliza- cal robes, and candlesticks.
beth informally encouraged (partly through financing) Taking a religious middle ground, Elizabeth brought a
Francis Drake and other sailors to plunder on her behalf. degree of peace to England—peace that was not found in
During her reign English merchant ships challenged continental Europe, where religious fanaticism and tur-
Spain’s seafaring preeminence, and the first English set- bulence were rife.The Inquisition terrorized Spain, and in
tlers were sent to North America. France heretics were burned at the stake. By contrast, Eliz-
Elizabeth was pragmatic about international affairs. abeth attempted to defuse religious tensions by increas-
Careful with money, she was reluctant to fight wars ing outward compliance with Protestant services. Any
because their cost inevitably drained her treasury. She person who did not attend church was subject to a fine.
also appreciated the necessity of managing her reputa- However, during the first part of Elizabeth’s reign
tion. Her courtiers frequently used propaganda and Catholics who either attended the parish church or paid
“political spin” on her behalf. In matters of international their fines for nonattendance could usually still practice
politics monarchs were always aware of their image. their religion privately without fear of persecution. In
Their status within the international arena also reflected contrast to Elizabeth’s more lenient attitude in religious