A biography of Queen Elizabeth I focusing on her role in developing England's trade, accumulating wealth and early colonial expansion set against the context of the country's unstable financial and geopolitical situation on her accession to the throne. This work looks in detail at her relationships with the men, the merchants and maritime adventurers, who helped her to achieve her goals, including John Hawkins, Sir Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh. The book is supported by a bibliography and detailed notes.