About this objectElizabeth I, the child of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, reigned as Queen of England and Ireland from 1558 - 1603. Elizabeth ascended to the throne after the death of her sister, Queen Mary. The women embodied the religious division within the country, brought about by their father Henry VIII. Mary, an ardent Catholic and Elizabeth a Protestant.
The reign of Elizabeth was also marked by conflict with Catholic Spain. Spain was ruled by King Philip, who was previously married to Mary, conflict between England and Spain coming to a head with the defeat of the Spanish Armada.
