These were the questions faced by Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603), who reigned over England from 1558 to 1603. Elizabeth oversaw a period of breathtaking cultural achievement, including the poetry and drama of William Shakespeare. She kept England from being torn apart by wars of religion, and she withstood the massive military threat of the Spanish Armada. In an age that was convinced a woman could not govern, Elizabeth ruled for nearly forty-five years and became the symbol of national unity for England. This exhibition explores the life and reign of this remarkable queen, examining how her unique personality was forged and why her legend has endured.
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