Elizabeth famously stated that, ‘I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too’. She was right. Throughout her reign Elizabeth demonstrated her ability to rule a fractious kingdom effectively and she was able to do so because she was a strong ruler.
Her strength of character and intelligence were evident from a young age. Her tutor, Roger Ascham, praised her diligence and ability. Questioned as a 13-year-old over a rumoured affair with Thomas Seymour and later accused of treason by her sister Mary over her alleged involvement in the Wyatt rebellion, Elizabeth exhibited remarkable selfcontrol. Elizabeth was adept at navigating the treacherous world of court politics and when she ascended to the throne in 1558 she soon proved more than capable of governing England in a time of change and crisis.
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