why was elizabeth1 a strong monarch even though she was a woman?

[stunni87]

how was Elizabeth 1 able to maintain a strong monarchy despite the disadvantage of being a woman in a mans world?

[el duerino]

ironically her disadvantage was also her advantage. it was often said that to get ahead in elizabethan times you had to be, or pretend to be, in love with the queen. Hence her top officials and nobles were all singularly devoted to her. This combined with the conception of the monarchy during this time helped keep her strong. She was also an intelligent strategist, but by the time of her death she was likened to a 'dinosaur that has outlived her usefulness'. dont expect me to remember who said that, but someone did. Basically she used her femininity to her advantage, instead of letting it be a disadvantage.

[woofgang]

because she did her own research

[Brugel]

Presumably, like all monarchs she believed that it was God's will that she ruled England in the first place- this was the "Divine right of Kings". I think if I believed that God had personally chosen me to rule over everyone else, I'd feel pretty strong and confident too (even if I were a woman). And presumably her subjects saw her this way as well.

[Enola]

yay for GCSE History - they still are doing this question? Wow... personal life...married to country....childhood...blablabla...wars...god...catholic and protestant, how she dealt with that... ...tell you what, why not do a brainstorming sesh with your mates so you can all come up with your own research and individual answers.