Free Response 1:
P 1- Intro
Thesis: Both Elizabeth and Isabella were extraordinary rulers with very different methods, beliefs, and religious policies, but when compared, their intentions were in fact very similar.
P 2- Elizabeth’s religious policies
a. Protestant
b. Searched for religious peace.
P 3- Isabella’s religious policies
a. Catholic
b. Searched for religious unity
P 4- Comparing the two-
a. Even though they had different religions, they both wanted religious peace.
P 5- Conclusion
Restate thesis: Both Elizabeth and Isabella were extraordinary rulers with very different methods, beliefs, and religious policies, but when compared, their intentions were in fact very similar.
Elizabeth I, Queen of England, was a very different type of ruler than Isabella I of Spain. While they both were amazing rulers and made great changes in their countries, while they ruled, they were also very different. Elizabeth was a Protestant, and Isabella was Catholic. Even though they had different religious beliefs, however, and very different methods, they both strived for religious peace. Both Elizabeth and Isabella were extraordinary rulers with very different methods, beliefs, and religious policies, but when compared, their intentions were in fact very similar.
Elizabeth I was a Protestant, and she succeeded her Catholic sister, Mary. Mary had been a not very well liked ruler, with not much religious tolerance, therefore causing lots of Protestant rebellions. Elizabeth, though not on the throne, was still important at that time, and was even suspected of helping out some of the rebelling Protestants, for which she was thrown in jail. When she finally came to the throne, she was well liked and accepted by all of the people. In fact, they were extremely happy that Mary would not be on the throne anymore. She was grateful for this opportunity to stop the religious rebellions, and when she was told that she was now the queen, she said “This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” While in charge, Elizabeth did change the religion of England to Protestantism, but she also kept the Catholics in mind. In everything she did that related to Protestantism, she threw in a little something for the Catholics, to keep them happy and keep the religious piece. She cared so much about her kingdom, putting the country before herself. She believed that even though she “had the body of a weak and feeble woman, she had the heart of a King, and a King of England, too!” There was nothing that she could not do; she was determined to make this country the best that she could, all on her own.
Isabella I of Spain, on the other hand, believed in very different things from Elizabeth. She was a Catholic. She ruled in complete equality with her husband, and together they accomplished many great things for their country. The thing they strived for the most, however, was religious unity. She wanted all of the people of Spain to be the same religion. She wanted to rid her country of other religions, and many were forced to convert to Catholicism and be baptized, leave the country or be killed. Though this obviously was not pleasant for a lot of citizens, seeing as they were being forced into something they did not want to do, it did make for religious peace. Because there would be only one religion throughout the country, the country would indeed be unified by their religion. This did, in the end, make the country stronger. Isabella wanted to do what was best for her country.
Elizabeth and Isabella, as you can see, both wanted their country to be strong. They both wanted to have peace throughout their country on the religious basis. They both just wanted to do what was best. However, their methods were polar opposites. Elizabeth tried to make everyone, of all religions, happy, while Isabella tried to make everyone into one religion. Isabella had a more hash way of achieving her and Elizabeth’s common goal, but in the end, it did work out for both of them. This indicates their different ruling styles. Elizabeth was bent on handling the country by herself; she would never marry, just so that she could focus on ruling and be independent. Isabella believed that ruling equally with her husband was very important. Either way, both of these women had a great influence over their countries and were well liked by many.
Elizabeth and Isabella are two of the most well-known rulers in Europe. They are always remembered for the great achievements they accomplished. They managed to keep the peace in their countries while advancing forward in the world. Although Elizabeth and Isabella’s styles were opposites, they had the same goal; one which both women, with much determination, were able to reach.
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