What role did Queen Elizabeth I play as Queen?

Question

What was her career experience like?

Answer 1

Elizabeth as Queen of England set out to rule by good counsel, and she depended heavily on a group of trusted advisers led by William Cecil, Baron Burghley. One of her first moves was to support the establishment of an English Protestant church, of which she became the Supreme Governor. This Elizabethan Religious Settlement held firm throughout her reign and later evolved into today's Church of England.

In government, Elizabeth was more conservative than her father and siblings. One of her mottos was video et taceo: "I see, and say nothing". This strategy, viewed with impatience by her counsellors, often saved her from political and martial misalliances. Though Elizabeth was cautious in foreign affairs and only half-heartedly supported a number of ineffective, poorly resourced military campaigns in the Netherlands, France and Ireland, the defeat of the Spanish armada in 1588 associated her name forever with what is popularly viewed as one of the greatest victories in British history.

Answer 2

In those days monarchs had real power, and Elizabeth was able to have a direct influence on life in England.  she settled the religious question for instance by establishing the Church of England as the official religion, with herself as head of it.  She was able to execute people who annoyed her, like the Earl of Essex for instance.

In those days, if you were a Queen, you could really make a difference.