It is me, Stan Lee

Elizabeth in Marvel: 1602

Sir Nicholas: I am afraid Armageddon is rather outside my department, majesty

*Dr. Strange walks into the room*

Dr. Strange: Majesty, I come bearing terrible news. The prognosis of your illness has revealed itself to me.

Queen Elizabeth: *Gasp* I regret to hear of unfortunate news 

Dr. Strange: Your majesty, the skies of England are blood red not because Armageddon is ensuing. Rather -- the skies of London are red for our God is prematurely mourning your oncoming death. 

Queen Elizabeth: Doctor, I admire your prescience regarding my ensuing death. But, I believe the notion that death is knocking at my door is nonsense. For I have brought England their first colony and the first-born English citizen within those colonies: Virginia Dare.

Dr. Strange: Majesty, your relentlessness is commendable. However, you have been diagnosed with blood poisoning. I surmise that you have minimal time left. Therefore, you must identify who your heir will be. Naming your successor is indispensable to a smooth transition of power!!

Queen Elizabeth: Yes, the future of England is in my hands. I shall name a successor within the year.

Elizabeth: The Humble

"Elizabeth came out of the dark Abbey into a blaze of light and heard the roar of the crowd welcome her. She walked through the people so that they could all see her -- this was a queen who would pander to anyone, their love for her was a balm for the years of neglect."

A recurring theme that presented itself to me was the depiction of Elizabeth I as a humble, insecure, and easily manipulated young Queen. This was apparent in the quote above, as well as within several other scenes throughout the excerpts of Gregory's novel. This quote in particular stuck out to me, because of Gregory's insistence that Queen Elizabeth would pander to anyone. Gregory illustrates Elizabeth as the epitome of a weak ruler who lacks confidence and is extremely vulnerable to an insurrection. 

In my opinion this an unfair assessment of Queen Elizabeth's reign as ruler of England. Elizabeth exemplified great strength in the face of crisis on multiple instances as Queen of England, and prevailed every time. Whether that be facing a new council that was constitutionally unfaithful, defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588, or never succumbing to the cowardice cries of her many suitors.