This book is a story about an extraordinary woman, an empress who gave her name to an entire era - a success that few politicians have. Under Elizabeth, England transformed from a provincial state into a great world power. Seventeen monarchs succeeded Elizabeth on the throne of Britain, but each was convinced that she was the standard by which all subsequent ones were measured. The Queen was far ahead of her age in her beliefs. In a world alien to tolerance, she followed the path of reason and tolerance, trying to defend the rights of everyone, including her own, to live in accordance with her own faith and feelings. Elizabeth entered the flesh and blood of English history, taking her rightful place in textbooks and becoming an indispensable symbol and expression of the spirit of Britain itself.

The book was written by a famous specialist in the history of medieval England O.V. Dmitrieva, who has written a number of brilliant articles and monographs.