When did Queen Elizabeth I die, what were the plots against Her Majesty, who succeeded her and was she related to Mary Queen of Scots?

QUEEN Elizabeth I is arguably one of the best known monarchs in British history and is widely regarded as the presiding over the birth of the British Empire.

Here is all you need to know about the flamed-haired Virgin Queen who ruled a flourishing trading nation with an iron fist...

When did Queen Elizabeth I die?

Elizabeth died on March 24 1603, aged 70, and was buried at Westminster Abbey.

She was born in Greenwich on September 7 1533 and her death ended the Tudor dynasty.

All her life she never married and was so known as the "Virgin Queen" - although she was thought to have conducted relationships that may have contradict her percieved virginal status.

The queen was the daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife Anne Boleyn.

When Elizabeth was just two years old her mother was beheaded for adultery on the orders of her despotic dad.

Who succeeded Elizabeth I ?

Elizabeth was succeeded by the protestant James VI of Scotland.

Her 45-year reign is referred to as the Elizabethan era or the Golden Age.

How was she related to Mary Queen of Scots?

Mary Queen of Scots was her cousin. But the two were divided over religion.

Mary was a catholic while Elizabeth was a protestant - the allowed faith she restored to the nation after taking the throne.

Mary was executed in 1587 and it is generally believed her execution was ordered by Elizabeth.

She had been fearing her relation wanted to depose her and reestablish Catholicism.

Were there plots to kill Elizabeth?

The Babington Plot to kill Elizabeth was led by Anthony Babington and involved Mary Queen of Scots.

This link played a big part in the decision to execute her.

But it was one of several plans to get rid of Elizabeth.

Another plot was hatched in 1571 by a London based banker Roberto Ridolfi who was from Spain - a catholic country whose royal family despised Elizabeth.

Under the secret plans, Spanish forces would invade eastern England and be supported by English catholics who were being banned at the time for practising their religion.  

But the plan was rumbled and those involved were executed.

In 1580s another Spanish plan was scuppered which involved a wholesale invasion in a bid to oust Elizabeth.