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| | Elizabeth I, queen of England. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-05 |
 | | When Elizabeth succeeded her sister to the throne in 1558, religious strife, a huge government debt, and failures in the war with France had brought Englands fortunes to a low ebb. |
 | | Elizabeth had many suitors, including King Philip II of Spain; Francis, duke of Alençon and Anjou; and her own favorite, Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester. |
 | | Elizabeth engaged in a long series of diplomatic maneuvers against Englands old enemy, France, and the new enemy, Spain, but for 30 years she managed to keep the country at peace. |
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