Elizabeth cared deeply for the welfare of all citizens of whatever
class. She was sensitive to public opinion and was loved by her
people. She respected truth and was sincere, avoiding guile or
fraud. She claimed that she had never dishonored her tongue with a
falsehood to anyone. She expected that any covert manipulations by
monarchs would be found out and therefore would damage their
credibility. "It becometh therefor all of our rank to deal
sincerely; lest if we use it not, when we do it we be hardly
believed."
She was frugal and diplomatically avoided unnecessary wars, saying
that her purse was the pockets of her people. England was a small
Protestant nation threatened by the larger Catholic nations of
France and Spain. When Elizabeth flirted and talked of marriage
with foreign princes, they laid aside any thoughts of conquering
England by war, hoping to obtain it my marriage. Not only did she
not seek to conquer other lands, but she turned down an invitation
to rule the Netherlands. Her credit reputation was so good that
she could always get loans at small rates of interest from other
countries.
Tudor government was paternalistic, curtailing cutthroat
competition, fixing prices and wages, and licensing production
under grants of monopoly to achieve a stable and contented society
and a fair living for all.
Elizabeth prayed for divine guidance as in this prayer: "Almighty
God and King of all kings, Lord of heaven and earth, by whose
leave earthly princes rule over mortals, when the most prudent of
kings who administered a kingdom, Solomon, frankly confessed that
he was not capable enough unless Thou broughtst him power and
help, how much less am I, Thy handmaid, in my unwarlike sex and
feminine nature, adequate to administer these Thy kingdoms of
England and of Ireland, and to govern an innumerable and warlike
people, or able to bear the immense magnitude of such a burden, if
Thou, most merciful Father didst not provide for me (undeserving
of a kingdom) freely and against the opinion of many men.
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