In the debate over Britain's greatest monarch, one name consistently rises above the rest: Queen Elizabeth I. Royal expert and Deputy Royal Editor Rebecca Russell makes the case that the Tudor queen, who reigned for 44 years from 1558 to 1603, surpasses all others in overall greatness.
Why Elizabeth I Stands Above the Rest
While personal preference often dictates which monarch is considered the best—military leaders might favour William I or Henry V, while those valuing religious change might choose Henry VIII—Russell argues that when weighing all factors, Elizabeth I is unmatched. Born with no certain expectation of the crown, she became a defining figure of her era, overseeing the defeat of the Spanish Armada, fostering the arts, and establishing an English church that shaped national identity.
Elizabeth was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, who was executed when Elizabeth was just two years old. This early experience taught her that women were viewed as inferior and disposable, yet she rose to become a successful wartime leader in a male-dominated world.
Intelligence and Diplomacy as Weapons
Russell highlights Elizabeth's intelligence and strategic use of her femininity. The Virgin Queen remained unmarried, using her single status as a diplomatic tool to play rivals France and Spain against each other. She famously declared: “I will have but one mistress here, and no master,” frustrating her ministers. Elizabeth kept suitors negotiating for months or years when it suited England's advantage.
In a 1588 speech to troops before the Spanish Armada, she declared: “I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too.” This blend of feminine humility and masculine authority endeared her to her people.
Manipulation and Ruthlessness
Elizabeth also knew when to play the weak woman. When pressured to execute Mary, Queen of Scots, she told a delegation that “my sex doth not permit it.” Yet she was not without ruthlessness: around 800 people were executed during her reign, including by hanging, drawing, and quartering or burning at the stake. Russell notes that given Elizabeth's own perilous upbringing—her mother beheaded, her father marrying four more times, and she herself nearly executed twice by her sister—her defensive actions are understandable.
Legacy and Lasting Impact
The Tudor dynasty ended with Elizabeth's death in 1603 after 118 years of rule. Her legacy is immeasurable: she made the country embrace the idea of a queen, supported the arts during Shakespeare's career, and established a church that helped define English identity. Her emotional toughness, forged in a dangerous childhood, allowed her not just to survive but to thrive, securing her place as Britain's greatest monarch according to Russell.
