What were the major threats to Queen Elizabeth I's rule, both domestically and internationally?

Queen Elizabeth I faced several major threats to her rule, both domestically and internationally. Domestically, one of the primary challenges she encountered was religious conflict. England was deeply divided between Catholics and Protestants, and Elizabeth's Protestantism was seen as a threat by Catholic factions. This led to numerous Catholic plots and conspiracies against her, such as the Ridolfi Plot in 1571 and the Babington Plot in 1586, both of which aimed to overthrow Elizabeth and replace her with a Catholic monarch.

Another significant domestic threat to Elizabeth's rule was the issue of succession. As she remained unmarried and childless, there was uncertainty about who would succeed her. This uncertainty fueled political rivalries and power struggles among the nobility, as different factions vied for influence and sought to secure their preferred candidate for the throne. The question of succession also made Elizabeth vulnerable to foreign interference, as various European powers sought to manipulate the situation to their advantage.

Internationally, Elizabeth faced significant threats from Catholic European powers, particularly Spain. King Philip II of Spain viewed Elizabeth as a heretic and a threat to Catholicism, and he launched the Spanish Armada in 1588 with the intention of invading England and overthrowing her. The defeat of the Armada was a major victory for Elizabeth and solidified her position as a powerful ruler.

Additionally, Elizabeth faced challenges from other European powers, such as France and Scotland, who sought to undermine her rule and support her Catholic opponents. These powers often provided financial and military assistance to Catholic rebels within England, further destabilizing her reign.

In summary, the major threats to Queen Elizabeth I's rule included religious conflict and Catholic plots domestically, as well as the issue of succession and foreign powers, particularly Spain, internationally. Despite these challenges, Elizabeth's astute political maneuvering and the support of her loyal advisors allowed her to successfully navigate these threats and maintain her reign as one of the most iconic monarchs in English history.