If an Elizabethan had been asked whether he considered the Queen of England a great woman or not, he would undoubtedly have answered -Yes,- and given very good reasons for his answer. It was not for nothing that the English almost worshipped their Queen in -those spacious times of great Elizabeth.- Edmund Spenser, one of the world's great poets, hymned her as -fayre Elisa- and -the flowre of Virgins- Helpe me to blaze Her worthy praise; Which, in her sexe doth all excell! Throughout her long reign, courtiers, statesmen, soldiers, and people all united in serving her gladly and to the best of their powers. Yet she could at times prove herself to be hard, cruel, and vindictive; she was mean, even miserly, when money was wanted for men or ships; she was excessively vain, loved dress and finery, and was often proud almost beyond bearing. Notwithstanding all her faults, she was the best beloved of all English monarchs because of her never-failing courage and strength of mind, and she made the Crown respected, feared, and loved as no other ruler had done before her, and none other, save Queen Victoria, has reigned as she did in her people's hearts.