Elizabeth I, commonly referred to as the "Virgin Queen" and the "Good Queen Bess," reigned as the Queen of England and Ireland from 1558 until her death in 1603. She was the last of the Tudor monarchs and her reign is known as the Elizabethan Era, a period marked by flourishing arts, exploration, and the rise of England as a major European power.

Born on September 7, 1533, Elizabeth was the daughter of King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. Her early life was fraught with uncertainty. Her mother was executed when Elizabeth was just two and a half years old, and Elizabeth herself was declared illegitimate. However, she received a thorough education and was fluent in several languages, including Latin, Greek, French, and Italian.

Upon the death of her half-sister, Mary I, in 1558, Elizabeth ascended to the throne. The early years of her reign were marked by religious turmoil. She enacted the Elizabethan Religious Settlement, which aimed to establish a middle ground between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. This settlement, though a compromise, firmly established the Church of England's independence from Rome.

Elizabeth's relationship with Parliament was often contentious. While she needed their approval for taxation and other legal matters, she was often frustrated by their encroachment on her royal prerogatives, especially regarding her marriage prospects and the succession. Despite this, Elizabeth's skillful political acumen meant she was usually able to manage and manipulate parliamentary proceedings to her advantage.

One of the significant issues of her reign was her relationship with Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary, a Catholic, was considered by many to be the legitimate queen of England. Elizabeth, after much hesitation and political maneuvering, eventually ordered Mary's execution in 1587 after plots to assassinate Elizabeth were uncovered.

Foreign relations during Elizabeth's reign were dominated by the rivalry with Spain. The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 was a turning point, marking the decline of Spain's domination and the rise of England as a major naval power. This victory was seen as a divine sign of favor, further consolidating Elizabeth's position.

Commercially, Elizabeth's reign saw increased exploration. Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh, and others expanded English influence in the New World and beyond, paving the way for the later British Empire. Politically, Elizabeth believed in the divine right of kings (and queens) but was also pragmatic, allowing her advisors significant influence.

Elizabeth never married, earning her the title "The Virgin Queen." This decision was both personal and political. By not choosing a husband, she avoided the pitfalls of diplomatic entanglements and maintained full control over her realm. She had no children, and her relationship with her courtiers, especially Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, has been the subject of much speculation and historical debate.

Upon her death on March 24, 1603, Elizabeth left behind a legacy of a stable and relatively prosperous England. The transition of power to James I, the first of the Stuart dynasty, was smooth. The people of England mourned her passing, having seen her as a symbol of English pride and strength.

Culturally, Elizabeth's reign was a golden age. William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, and Ben Jonson illuminated the world of drama. The arts, exploration, and science flourished. The society was in transition, with the rise of the merchant class and the beginnings of the British colonial empire.

In sum, Elizabeth I's reign was transformative for England. Her leadership, resilience, and adaptability ensured that England emerged from the Elizabethan era more influential and more culturally rich than ever before.