Elizabeth I was the last English monarch truly to rule the nation – subsequently only Queen Victoria possessed the same majestic stature, yet by then royal power was no longer absolute but subject to the wishes of Parliament. Elizabeth had inherited a weak and divided kingdom yet relentlessly fashioned it into a major world power, having decisively defeated the mightiest invasion fleet ever to approach our shores. Her relationships with the key men in the kingdom, both in war and peace, were vital to the success of her reign.
The Queen coupled a shrewd judgement of human nature with the unerring ability to choose and motivate men: during her long and glorious reign, she surrounded herself with the ablest, most energetic and fearless minds in the kingdom. As with the majority of women who achieve power, her retinue remained entirely male – the Court of Queen Elizabeth I held no place for women except for their wit and beauty. The only man she did not choose was a husband, although there was certainly no shortage of suitors.
Elizabeth’s England abounded with eminent statesmen, while wave after wave of sea captains became her swordbearers. Her charismatic reign produced brilliant scholars and creative talent, among them the world’s foremost playwright. Elizabeth was devoutly religious and embraced the New Learning with fanatical zeal. She inspired magnificent architecture, while her sea captains sailed great oceans to discover new shores and found a mighty overseas empire. Centre stage in these heady days of new ideas and new horizons was the Royal Court, a colourful kaleidoscope of glittering courtiers and important foreign dignitaries, all trying to impress, all jostling for her favours – All the Queen’s Men.