Virgin Queen: Character and Strengths

• Elizabeth was confident and charismatic, meaning she was able to be convincing and command the vote in parliament
• Elizabeth could cope with the pressures of being a Queen, as in the past she was locked in the tower and faced possible execution
• Elizabeth was educated, as she spoke Latin, Greek, French and Italian
• Elizabeth was excellent in politics and knew what her people might want. She used her powers of patronage effectively
• Throughout her reign, Elizabeth was happy to portray herself as a strong, legitimate, popular monarch and a ‘Virgin Queen’ – married only to England and not to a prince or king.
• Patronage - The monarch being able to grant people land, jobs and titles to reward her supporters