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off the English coast and Elizabeth's military prowess. On July 29 England's fire ships let loose on the Spanish Armada and sent them home tattered and torn. In Essex the English troops awaited the Spainiards, completely unaware that they had already been defeated before even reaching land. When no Spanish troops arrived England took this as a victory and rode back triumphant. Although this was to become England's greatest military victory of all time the war itself would wage on until 1604, a year after Elizabeth's death.

Though the defeat of the Spanish Armada was a great victory for Elizabeth, times would now become tough for England and last until the end of Elizabeth's reign. Although she won this first, and important battle, the war would wage on and usually in Spain's favor. Taxes grew and the economy fell. A season that produced a bad harvest and the heavy price of war would all contribute to England's poor economic outlook. It was during this time that the great literary geniuses came to light. Folks like William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlow wrote about times past and present.

In 1598 Elizabeth's most trusted adviser died. His son, Robert Cecil, took his father's role and his first matter of business was to establish a line of succession. Elizabeth, after all, was well into her 60s and her child-bearing years were long gone. The time had come to appoint an heir. Elizabeth refused to name a successor, so Cecil began to secretly communicate with James IV of Scotland.

James was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, whom Elizabeth put to death in 1586. He also had a claim to the English throne through his great-grandmother Margaret Tudor, older sister to Henry VIII. Cecil advised James to cater to Elizabeth, and so he did. Elizabeth would never name James as her successor,however he did find himself in her favor. In 1602 many of Elizabeth's dear friends and trusted advisers reached the end of their natural lives. As such Elizabeth sank into a deep depression. After the death of her cousin Catherine Carey in February 1603 Elizabeth sank even further. She became ill in March and retreated to her rooms at Richmond Palace.

On March 24, 1603 Queen Elizabeth I died at Richmond Palace. Within hours Robert Cecil had begun the process of making James IV the new King of England. Elizabeth's coffin was taken to Westminster and the succession of James proceeded, ever more smoothly than successions before him. Elizabeth was mourned, however many were relieved by her passing. James not only had big shoes to fill and England's James I, but also had to carry on in Elizabeth's name.

Queen Elizabeth I not only remains the most famous Queen of England but one of the most well-known monarchs in all of Britain. Her life brought a solid Protestant base to England and her death put England, Ireland and Scotland under one ruler forever. Elizabeth did what she thought was best for her country. Though she never married she always proclaimed her undying love and faith to her one and true husband - England.

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