Elizabeth I
Elizabeth 1 became queen in 1558
When Catholics and Protestants battled
And England was a bankrupt state
And the military had crumbled.
She ended the long terror of religious violence.
Elizabeth believed preachers should not preach hate
But instead should abandon their rightious grievance
Because otherwise the violence would not abate.
She decreed that Catholic and Protestant churches
Should both be legal and this created much peace.
Next the country needed economic genius
To make business and revenues increase.
Elizabeth used her brainpower and council advice
To implement economic policies to eliminate the debt.
She erased the deficit and created a surplus.
But there were foreign enemies England could not forget.
So Elizabeth built the strongest navy
In all of Europe which many countries admired.
So England became a safe country
Because they had the strong military they required.
At the beginning of Elizabeth I’s reign
Many said a woman should not rule a country
But Elizabeth’s 45 years of achievement and stability
Convinced many that women can rule well and mightily.