Reasons English Protestants might have liked Elizabeth I:
* Religious Toleration: While Elizabeth I enforced the Church of England as the official religion, she was generally tolerant of dissent. Compared to her predecessors, this was a huge improvement for English Protestants.
* Defense of Protestantism: Elizabeth I firmly defended England from Catholic threats, notably the Spanish Armada in 1588. This was seen as a victory for English Protestantism.
* National Identity: Elizabeth I was a strong and charismatic leader who fostered a sense of national pride. This appealed to many, regardless of their specific religious beliefs.
* Economic Prosperity: England experienced relative economic prosperity during Elizabeth's reign. This improved the lives of many, including Protestants.
Reasons English Protestants might have disliked Elizabeth I:
* Not "Protestant enough": Some stricter Protestants, like the Puritans, felt Elizabeth I did not push for enough reforms within the Church of England. They felt it still retained too many Catholic practices.
* Persecution of Dissent: While Elizabeth I was generally tolerant, she did persecute extreme Protestant groups like the Separatists, who wanted complete separation from the Church of England.
* Political and social issues: Some Protestant concerns went beyond religion, including issues like poverty, social injustice, and corruption within the government. These issues might have led to dissatisfaction with Elizabeth's leadership, even among some Protestants.
In Conclusion:
It's inaccurate to say that all English Protestants universally liked or disliked Elizabeth I. There was a spectrum of opinions. Some admired her leadership and appreciated her relative tolerance, while others found her religious policies lacking and resented her persecution of certain Protestant groups. Ultimately, opinions on Elizabeth I were complex and varied within the English Protestant population.