Elizabeth I was the daughter of King Henry VIII and Ann Boleyn, and in her 44 year reign she presided over the re-establishment of Protestantism, the defeat of the Spanish Armada, and the beginnings of England's and Britain's overseas empire.

Elizabeth was the last monarch of the House of Tudor, and the last monarch to use the quartered arms of France and England on their own. Like other Tudor monarchs the dexter supporter of her arms was a Welsh dragon. This also ceased to be used after the end of her reign, being replaced by a Scottish unicorn.

The number of arches shown on the royal crown was inconsistent during this period, with some artists showing four arches (as illustrated here) and others two (which became the norm, and remains so today).

Full name: Elizabeth Tudor

Style as monarch: Her Majesty The Queen

Formal title as monarch: Elizabeth, by the Grace of God Queen of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c

Born: 7 September, at Palace of Placentia, Greenwich

Succeeded to the throne: 17 November 1558

Crowned: 15 January 1559, at Westminster Abbey

Died: 24 March 1603, at Richmond Palace, Surrey,