Queens that Changed the World: Season 1, Episode 1

1 - 1: The Virgin Queen: Elizabeth I

Elizabeth took the throne of a deeply divided nation after her siblings Edward and Mary died. The Protestant queen allowed Catholics to continue with their faith so long as they were discrete and remained loyal. Peace and prosperity followed and English culture flourished.

Under Elizabeth the seeds of Empire were sown with Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh, but despite the successes the Virgin Queen had to be on her guard against numerous plots including from the Spanish King Philip II and, of course, his Armada.