In this episode, we’ll explore Elizabeth I’s rise to the throne and the challenges surrounding her legitimacy. We’ll discuss how her unmarried status earned her the title of The Virgin Queen and how her path to power was shaped by her siblings, Mary I and Edward VI, as well as the laws of male succession. We’ll examine the impact of her mother Anne Boleyn’s execution for alleged treason and adultery, which cast doubt on Elizabeth’s legitimacy. Finally, we’ll analyze the religious tensions and Mary I’s perception of Elizabeth as a threat, further complicating her early life.

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