- Title: Elizabeth
- Date: 18th May 2000
- Summary: In July 1588 beacons were lit across England to warn of the arrival of the Spanish Armada. Elizabeth I's darkest fears had come true. Having successfully avoided open war for 20 years,she found herself bound up in a costly and desperately unpredictable conflict. Elizabeth also loathed war because,as a woman,she couldn't lead her own armies. Instead she had to delegate command to hot-tempered men,who disobeyed her orders and even turned her own forces against her. Despite the difficulties,it was war which provided Elizabeth with her finest hour.
- Description:Elizabeth,the virgin Queen,the most powerful woman in English history. She emerged as a young princess against a backdrop of civil unrest,political intrique,executions and coups. She ruled for 45 years and presided over a new kind of state. Her reign saw England emerge from the threat of European annexation to burst forth in a unique flowering of culture and became the world's leading sea power. The beginning of the end for the old regime,but the start of a new one - a second Elizabeth era. At its head were writers such as Shakespeare and Marlow,and poet soldiers such as Essex and Raleigh,men with new ideas and ferocious ambition. The ailing and conservative Queen is increasingly out of step,prone to political mistakes and without an heir.
- Broadcaster:Channel 4
- Collection: Channel 4
- Genre:Documentary and Factual
- Producer:Htv Ltd. T/A United Productions Bristol
- Programme Episode:Episode 3
- Transmission Date:18/05/2000
- Rights:Worldwide
- Decade: 2000s