The loss of her Mother by beheading had such a dramatic impact on her life that she found it very difficult to sentence people to any form of death. .
After her Mother's execution and during the years just prior to King Henry VIII's death, Elizabeth was cast out and forced to live in poverty.
Education.
King Henry VIII's sixth and last wife, Catherine Parr, was well educated and had a profound influence on the King who gave in to allowing Elizabeth to become educated. Catherine Parr personally taught Elizabeth how to avoid beheading by using pretense and submission. It was during Catherine Parr's reign that Elizabeth appeared for the last time in her father's court. .
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Catherine Parr, King Henry VIII's Sixth Wife.
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Elizabeth went on to become one the most educated women of her time studying in French, Italian, Greek and Latin. She had many interests but her particular interests were history, science, art, literature, and philosophy. As part of her education, Elizabeth also became an excellent musician and dancer.
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Adolescence.
When Catherine Parr died there was a short period of nine days that Lady Jane Grey became Queen. It was during this short period that Mary Queen of Scotts (Elizabeth's .
half-sister whose Mother was Catherine of Argon) "asserted" her right to the throne of England. Mary had Lady Jane Grey executed for treason and to make sure that Elizabeth did not seek the throne, she had Elizabeth imprisoned in the Tower of London. Elizabeth was always in constant danger of being executed by Mary. Elizabeth spent most of her adolescence imprisoned during the 5 years of Mary's reign.
Adulthood.
When Mary died on November 17, 1558, Elizabeth was accepted to the throne.
Elizabeth was now Queen and she was determined to enjoy her life and her freedom. At the age of 25 she began to make up for the years she had been imprisoned and missed out on so much. She was a very intelligent and active woman of her times.