For England, the 16th century was a period of relative peace, of developing political and social unity and of growing prosperity. This was especially true during the reign of Elizabeth I (1558 - 1603), who was called "Good Queen Bess" by the ordinary people and "Gloriana" by the privileged. During her reign, England took the first steps toward becoming Europe's greatest commercial and maritime power. Trading companies were founded by Merchant Venturers whose ships sailed off to create commercial links with Canada, the East Indies and even with Russia. The Muscovy Company successfully founded a trading post in Moscow and Elizabeth corresponded with the famous Tsar Ivan "the Terrible". It was also during her reign that the first attempt was made to establish an English colony in North America, and, although the Roanoke colony failed, the modern state of Virginia was named after the queen. England's middle class, with the total support of the queen, was large, wealthy and very ambitious. In addition, Spanish control of the Atlantic Ocean was successfully challenged by English corsairs such as Drake, Hawkins and Raleigh. The foundations of England's future economic domination of Europe were laid.

©  Shirley Burchill, Nigel Hughes, Richard Gale and Keith Woodall 2007