Elizabeth became Queen of England when she was only twenty-five years old. Elizabeth's mother was executed when Elizabeth was four. Elizabeth's rough childhood, filled with stepmothers and being sent from the court, helped her to become a tough queen. She was never married and used this as an advantage when she became queen. She helped England grow from a weak country in debt to one of the greatest countries in Europe and possibly the world
             Elizabeth was born on September 7, 1533. She was born to Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Henry was the king of England at the time and Anne was Henry's second wife after Catherine of Aragon. Some say that Henry was disappointed when he found out that his wife was having a girl because he had hoped for a son so that the kingdom would stay in his family. But others say that he must not have been too disappointed because he named her after his mother, Elizabeth, wife of Henry VII. Elizabeth was one of the first heirs to the throne to be pure English. Both Henry and Anne were English. This gained her much favor in her later life as queen.
             Anne was never able to bear Henry a healthy son. Henry was very disappointed and angry, and accused her of having an affair. He had no grounds to divorce her. If she was not executed for adultery, for it was a very serious crime in those days, then he would accuse her of being a witch because she had an extra pinkie on one hand and a large mole on her neck.
             Anne was found guilty by a court picked by Henry. She was executed by being beheaded. Elizabeth was safe because she was still considered to be Henry's daughter. Many historians believe Anne was innocent, but Elizabeth was told that her mother had betrayed the King and was rightfully executed. No one would ever say otherwise because that would be considered treason to Henry. "She was impacted enogh by the death of her mother to have difficulties sending anyone she kn...