Which English queen reigned during the English Renaissance?

Elizabeth I was the English queen who reigned during the English Renaissance. She ruled England and Ireland from 1558 until 1603, a period associated with major developments in literature, theatre, exploration, music, and the visual arts.

The Elizabethan era is named for her reign and is often linked with figures such as William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, and Edmund Spenser. Elizabeth’s government also oversaw England’s growing maritime ambitions, including the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, which became a defining event of her rule.

Elizabeth was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. She never married or produced an heir, leading to her famous image as the “Virgin Queen.” Her reign followed those of her half-siblings Edward VI and Mary I, and she established a religious settlement that helped shape the Church of England. She was succeeded by James VI of Scotland, who became James I of England.