Many different problems faced Elizabeth I on her accession to the throne in 1558, behind her lay years of turmoil. England was torn by religious strife, was economically insecure, and was involved in a disastrous war with France. To these problems Elizabeth brought a thorough education, innate shrewdness, and a skill in diplomacy that she had constantly exercised during the reigns of Edward and Mary, when one mistake might have meant her death. Mary I died …showed first 75 words of 929 total…

…showed last 75 words of 929 total…church. Whilst these seemed to disappoint the more extreme Protestant members of the community, they seemed to reflect Elizabeth’s personal, religious views and were another example of her attempting to take the ‘middle way’. They still allowed remnants of the Catholic traditions, for example, the use of a wafer as host at communion instead of the bread described in the 1552 Book of Common prayer, and it was these injunctions that most displeased the Protestants.