2007-12-17 14:13:57 · 6 answers · asked by Orlandy G 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Royalty
actually. i have to disagree with the poster above. there's considerable historical evidence that Mary spent most of her life trying to usurp the power that Elizabeth had, never thinking of what that would have done to England after so many years of uncertainty on the throne. i wouldnt quite say that she was "the victim of circumstance". Elizabeth is definitely my pick. she refused to marry in a man's world and led England into its "golden age". she was able to defeat the Spanish Armada and managed to rebuild an empire almost torn apart by her father's greed and ambitions. Phillipa Gregory writes fantastic historical fiction set in Elizabeth's time. you should check it out if your interested in her.
2007-12-17 14:45:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In terms of fascination I much prefer Mary Queen of Scots. She never failed to surprise. Being married 3 times, murdering one of them, plotting against Elizabeth. Fair play she managed a lot by say the age of 25 maybe. But she was complex and had a series of setbacks. That's probably what led to her downfall.
In terms of ability as Queen, gotta be Elizabeth I. Probably one of the best monarchs to have ever reigned.
2007-12-18 09:36:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think that if I had known them I would have preferred Mary. She seems to have been very much the victim of circumstances. Elizabeth gets a great deal of credit for events that unfolded because she couldn't make up her mind, She was extremely lucky that she had Cecil as adviser. She employed Walsingham, as spy master, who used torture on his victims and allowed him to die in poverty after serving her well. After the battle against the Spanish Armada, she did not pay the brave sailors who obtained the victory. She was terrified of dying, extremely vain, with no reason to be and made no attempt to obtain a successor to herself. She was very much a chip of the old Henry V111 block in my opinion.
2007-12-17 22:29:58 · answer #3 · answered by william a 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Elizabeth was one of the great monarchs. Mary was weak and insignificant with poor taste. She was thrown out of Scotland and her son was put on the throne. She could have lived happily in England but plotted against Elizabeth and lost her head because of it.
2007-12-18 06:04:06 · answer #4 · answered by tentofield 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Elizabeth, she was the rightful heir to the throne.
2007-12-18 00:24:22 · answer #5 · answered by jjmlucky13 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Mary. I'm related to her on my mum's side!
2007-12-17 23:15:17 · answer #6 · answered by Claire 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋