Elizabeth I was one of the most famous monarchs of England. She was the daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife Anne Boleyn. Henry VIII had been hoping that Anne Boleyn would give him a boy who could eventually become the heir to the throne, but the only child she bore was Elizabeth. Anne had a boy, but he was a stillborn. At this point Henry got tired of Anne and falsely accused her of incest and adultery and she was executed. Elizabeth was only three when her mother was murdered. Elizabeth had another stepbrother from one of her father’s other marriages, Edward. He became king, and eventually died of tuberculosis. A descendant of his, the catholic Mary became king. People didn’t like the Catholic queen and looked to Elizabeth. Mary was afraid for her throne and had Elizabeth imprisoned in the Tower. Eventually, she was released. When Mary died, Elizabeth took the throne. She never married, but she “played her suitors” gaining political alliances and gifts. The only one who ever came close to marrying her was Francis, Duke of Alencon of France. Elizabeth held off the Spanish armada. When her rein was under threat from Spain, she held off the attack. When Elizabeth died, James I of Scotland took her throne. Scotland and England now joined together.