Elizabeth I ruled from 1558 to 1603 facing multiple challenges. The Ridolfi Plot in 1571 aimed to replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots, leading to Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk's execution in 1572. The Throckmorton Plot in 1583, another Catholic conspiracy, increased security measures. Mary was executed in 1587 after plotting. The Spanish Armada in 1588 was defeated, boosting England's prestige. Catholics challenged her legitimacy due to Anne Boleyn's 1536 execution, while marriage pressure persisted. Economic woes saw thousands jobless by 1603, alongside gender bias, parliamentary tensions, and religious divisions fueling unrest.
