On this day in 1559, two months after her half-sister ~ Queen Mary I of England ~ died, Elizabeth Tudor was crowned queen of England. Elizabeth was the 25-year-old daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, who was executed when Elizabeth was a child.

Sibling Rivalry? The two half-sisters, who were both Henry VIII's daughters, had a difficult relationship during Mary's five-year reign. Mary, who was Catholic, enacted pro-Catholic legislation. A Protestant rebellion was the result. Queen Mary imprisoned Elizabeth, who was a Protestant, in the Tower of London on suspicion of assisting the rebellion.

Religious Issues. Under the guidance of Secretary of State Sir William Cecil, Elizabeth repealed Mary's pro-Catholic legislation, established a permanent Protestant Church of England, and encouraged the Calvinist reformers in Scotland.

Divide and Conquer. Elizabeth practiced a policy of strengthening England's Protestant allies and dividing her foes. Elizabeth was opposed by the pope, who refused to recognize her legitimacy, and by Spain, which was a Catholic nation that was at the height of its power at that time.

The Reign in Spain...? Elizabeth's open hostility toward Spain led to a the defeat of the Spanish invasion. Britain's Navy and some nasty storms crushed the Spanish Armada, which was considered the greatest naval force in the world at the time.

Voyages of Discovery. With increasing English domination, she encouraged voyages of discovery, such as Sir Francis Drake's circumnavigation of the world, and Sir Walter Raleigh's expeditions to the North American coast.

SWF... Elizabeth refused to marry. She felt marriage would endanger her authority. In fact, she said, " Better beggar woman and single than Queen and married."

Long Time Coming... Her long rein took place during the flowering of the English Renaissance, which was associated with such authors as William Shakespeare.

Life and times of Queen Elizabeth I.

Gallery of Elizabeth I's timeline.

The many faces of Elizabeth I.