Barbara Mervyn taught history in Merseyside secondary schools for many years and was Assistant Headteacher at Pensby High School for Girls before becoming 14-19 Curriculum Manager for Wirral. She is an experienced A Level examiner.Series editor: Ian Dawson is a former director of the Schools History Project.

• : Introduction: Elizabeth – myth and reality: SECTION 1 What sort of monarch did Elizabeth promise to be?: 1 How did Elizabeth's early life shape her character?: 2 What was expected of Elizabeth in 1558?: 3 What choices did Elizabeth face in 1558?: 4 What sort of monarchy did Elizabeth create?: SECTION 2 Was Elizabeth in control of government?: 5 How did central government work?: 6 Was Elizabeth in control of her Privy Council?: 7 How effective was Parliament's opposition to Elizabethan government?: 8 How did Elizabeth control the royal finances?: 9 How did Elizabeth control local government?: 10 Was Ireland governed successfully?: 11 Review: Was Elizabeth in control of government?: SECTION 3 Did Elizabeth's government bring prosperity to her people?: 12 What was Elizabethan England like?: 13 Were people in the countryside prospering?: 14 Were people in towns prospering?: 15 Review: Did Elizabeth's government bring prosperity to her people?: SECTION 4 How far did religion affect stability at home?: 16 What problems did the Religious Settlement of 1559–63 solve?: 17 What problems did the Religious Settlement cause, 1559–72?: 18 Was Mary, Queen of Scots, a major threat?: 19 Why were the Catholics penalised?: 20 Were the Puritans really a danger?: 21 Review: How far did religion affect stability at home?: SECTION 5 How far did religion affect relations with foreign powers?: 22 What were Elizabeth's foreign policy priorities, 1560–72?: 23 What were the aims of English foreign policy, 1572–84?: 24 To what extent did England's financial resources influence foreign policy?: 25 How successfully did Elizabeth conduct the war against Spain after 1585?: 26 Review: How far did religion affect relations with foreign powers?: SECTION 6 To what extent can the reign of Elizabeth be described as a cultural Golden Age/: 27 Why has Elizabeth's reign been described as a Golden Age?: 28 What caused the Elizabethan Golden Age?: 29 What was Elizabeth's contribution to the Golden Age?: Conclusion

Well structured, concise and fully detailed and relatively inexpensive cost. Well presented, researched and detailed.