Elizabeth’s strengths

English parents

This meant that she was free from overseas influences

Intelligence

Which she used throughout her life, including during Mary I’s reign to stay alive, maintaining stability and peace in England, and ensuring that England, and those around her, remained loyal to her. She knew 5 languages fluently, demonstrating her intelligence

Popularity

She was quite popular from the start, as her reign was viewed as hopeful and a fresh start - many people didnt want more religious wars within England, and Elizabeth was able to provide that to a certain extent

Gender

Although there were fears that, Elizabeth being a woman, she would make a weak queen, or that if she married a foreign prince, he could more easily take control of England, but - as Elizabeth never married - this was not a concern, and Elizabeth proved during her reign that she was very strong and strategic

Religion

Elizabeth created the Religious Settlement to unite the Protestants and Catholics within England, which was a very successful endeavour, and maintained stability in the country as most people were content

Invasion

There was constant threat of invasion from Scotland (in the exiled Mary Queen of Scots, as she was seen by some as the rightful heir to the English throne) and Spain, which wanted to restore Catholicism as the primary religion of England. However, Elizabeth kept her position and saw off any threat

Money

Mary I had left England with £250,000 in debt - worth £121 million today!