Queen Elizabeth, who reigned over England during the
period of the Dutch revolt, came to the throne when about twenty-five years
old. She was tall and commanding in presence and endowed with great physical
vigor and endurance. After hunting all day or dancing all night she could still
attend unremittingly to public business. Elizabeth had received an excellent
education; she spoke Latin and several modern languages; knew a little Greek;
and displayed some skill in music. To her father, Henry VIII, she doubtless
owed her tactfulness and charm of manner, as well as her imperious will; she
resembled her mother, Anne Boleyn, in her vanity and love of display. As a
ruler Elizabeth was shrewd, far-sighted, a good judge of character, and willing
to be guided by the able counselors who surrounded her. Above all, Elizabeth
was an ardent patriot. She understood and loved her people, and they, in turn,
felt a chivalrous devotion to the "Virgin Queen," to "Good Queen
Bess".
PROTESTANTISM IN ENGLAND
The daughter of Anne Boleyn had been born under the ban of
the pope, so that opposition to Rome was the natural course for her to pursue.
Two acts of Parliament now separated England once more from the Papacy and gave
the English Church practically the form and doctrines which it retains to-day.
The church was intended to include everyone in England, and hence all persons
were required to attend religious exercises on Sundays and holy days. Refusal
to do so exposed the offender to a fine.
