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Elizabeth, the second daughter of King Henry VIII, is born on 7 September, 1533 to his second wife, Anne Boleyn.
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Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth's mother, is executed, leaving Elizabeth illegitimate and untitled. King Henry immediately marries Jane Seymour, who produces a male heir, Prince Edward, in 1537.
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When King Henry VIII died, Elizabeth's younger half-brother became King Edward VI.
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The young King dies at age 15. With Mary and Elizabeth reinstated as heirs, Mary takes the crown.
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Mary and Elizabeth were raised with different religions, and Catholic Mary persecuted Protestants during her reign. Elizabeth is imprisoned in the Tower of London for a year for her supposed involvement in religious rebellions.
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Mary falls ill in May 1558, and Elizabeth is named heir.
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Sir Francis Walsingham acts as Elizabeth's counsel on Catholic uprisings. He assembles a successful case against Mary, linking her to numerous plots on Elizabeth's life.
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EXACT DATE UNKNOWN
On July 12, 1588, the Spanish Armada sets sail to invade the southeast coast of England. Aided by bad weather, the English navy destroys the Armada. -