Queen Elizabeth I, reigning from 1558 to 1603, was the last monarch of the Tudor dynasty. Her contributions to English history include the establishment of Protestantism in England and the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, a significant boost to national pride and maritime power. Elizabeth's court became a center of arts and culture, fostering playwrights like William Shakespeare and encouraging the English Renaissance. Her reign, often referred to as the Elizabethan Era, was noted for political stability, exploration, and the rise of England as a formidable naval power. Elizabeth’s policies shaped the future of the monarchy and English society.