Throughout her life, Elizabeth's one true love remained her childhood friend Robert Dudley, whose marriage to Amy Robsart kept the two from achieving Elizabeth's long desired union.

When Elizabeth succeeded to the throne in 1558, Dee became her astrological and scientific advisor, even choosing her coronation date.

Queen Elizabeth I's stark white-painted face and bold red wig remain part of her legacy, even centuries later, but it wasn't a fashion choice. Her bout of smallpox left her with facial scars, and she used the makeup to conceal them. Ironically, this makeup, known as "Venetian Ceruse" or "Spirits of Saturn", was made from white lead and vinegar and slowly poisoned her over time.

When Mary, Queen of Scots fled to England after being forced to abdicate in favor of her own son, Elizabeth's first instinct was to restore her fellow monarch; but she and her council instead chose to play safe. Rather than risk returning Mary to Scotland with an English army or sending her to France and the Catholic enemies of England, they detained her in England, where she was imprisoned for the next nineteen years. In 1587, she was executed for plotting against Elizabeth's life.

On 25 February 1570, Pope Pius V issued a papal bull excommunicating Elizabeth, referring to her as "the pretended Queen of England and the servant of crime", declaring her a heretic and releasing her subjects from allegiance to her, even those who had "sworn oaths to her", and excommunicating any who obeyed her orders. Though several conspiracies threatened her life, all were defeated with the help of her ministers' secret service.

During the reign of Elizabeth I, European nations sent explorers across the Atlantic Ocean in search of land and riches. In 1585, Sir Walter Raleigh reached the shores of North America and named the colony Virginia after his Virgin Queen.

Her 44-year reign is generally considered one of the most glorious in English history, and is known for the establishment of the Church of England, the flourishing of English drama, and the seafaring prowess of English adventurers such as Francis Drake.

She was eventually succeeded by her first cousin twice removed, James VI of Scotland, laying the foundation for the Kingdom of Great Britain.