How
did you become the Queen of England?
I
became Queen by the will of God, upon the death of my sister,
Mary, in 1558, for I was then the only surviving child
of Good King Henry. Thus, though a mere woman, I was divinely
called upon to rule. I have done this most ably, for I have
the heart and stomach of a king.
Why
have you not yet married?
Man
and wife should have one heart, one will, and one mind, and
keep no secrets from each other. Any man I married would have
become the king of England. Such happened with my sister,
Mary Tudor,
when she married King Philip of Spain, and likewise with my
cousin Mary Stuart, whose husband caused much trouble in her
realm. If I had married, I would not have been able to govern
my country with the freedom and security I have enjoyed.
What do
you see as the greatest accomplishment of your reign so far?
When
I ascended the throne, my country was weak and torn by division
among its peoples. Enemies from without threatened to overcome
our poor land. Using what tools a weak woman could, I discouraged
Englands foes from acting in concert against her and
kept her shores at peace until she was ready to fight. Under
my rule, reaping the benefits that peace brings, my country
has flourished and is rich now in learning and literature.
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