Elizabeth I was born in Greenwich, England, to Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. Her birth was a disappointment to Henry, who had hoped for a male heir.

Anne Boleyn was accused of infidelity and treason and was executed at the Tower of London. Henry VIII then married Jane Seymour, who later gave birth to a son, Edward.

Upon Henry VIII's death, Edward VI succeeded to the throne. Due to his youth, the government was run by regents during his reign. Both Elizabeth and Edward were brought up as followers of the Church of England.

Edward VI died, and Mary I became queen, restoring Roman Catholicism as England's state religion. Mary suspected Elizabeth of plotting with Protestants and had her imprisoned in the Tower of London for two months.

Mary I died, and Elizabeth I was crowned queen of England at the age of 25. She reestablished the independent Church of England and chose William Cecil as her chief minister.

Mary Stuart, the Catholic queen of Scotland, fled to England seeking Elizabeth's help. Elizabeth, distrustful of Mary, had her taken into custody, where she remained for 19 years.

Elizabeth encouraged exploration and voyages of discovery, providing financial support for Admiral Francis Drake's circumnavigation of the globe and Walter Raleigh's expeditions to establish an English colony in North America.

The Elizabethan era saw a flourishing of poetry, music, and literature, with playwrights like William Shakespeare gaining popularity. London opened its first theatres, and Elizabeth attended the first performance of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

Elizabeth I died at Richmond, Surrey, marking the end of her 44-year reign and the Tudor dynasty. She was succeeded by her first cousin twice removed, James VI of Scotland.