What actions do you think demonstrated that Queen Elizabeth was both a clever and fair ruler?

Answer 1

Her religious policy was moderate, acceptable to everyone but extreme Catholics and extreme Puritans. Most of her subjects were more than happy with her settlement. (Her brother Edward had run things as an extreme Calvinist Protestant, her sister Mary Tudor as an extreme and bigoted Catholic. Neither was popular.)

She famously stated that she had no wish to have a mirror into men's souls - in other words she was *relatively* tolerant in an intolerant world. Compare and contrast to Philip II of Spain. Lord Howard of Effingham, who commanded her navy against the Armada, was a Roman Catholic.

She was also extremely skilled at picking effective ministers - and playing them off against one another so that she remained in charge.

Answer 2

Yes, Elizabeth I (1558-1603) was a fair ruler.

A great as well as fortunate sovereign-a courageous woman of keen intellect, who, if she had wise counsellors, as indeed she had, showed that she was well able to choose them. By general assent "Supreme Head" of the Protestant world of her time.

Answer 3

Her religious policy was moderate, acceptable to everyone but extreme Catholics and extreme Puritans. Most of her subjects were more than happy with her settlement. (Her brother Edward had run things as an extreme Calvinist Protestant, her sister Mary Tudor as an extreme and bigoted Catholic. Neither was popular.)

She famously stated that she had no wish to have a mirror into men's souls - in other words she was *relatively* tolerant in an intolerant world. Compare and contrast to Philip II of Spain. Lord Howard of Effingham, who commanded her navy against the Armada, was a Roman Catholic.

She was also extremely skilled at picking effective ministers - and playing them off against one another so that she remained in charge.