Here's why:
* Religious plays were a key part of English culture: Religious plays were a popular form of entertainment in Elizabethan England, and they played a crucial role in educating the public about the Bible and the Church.
* Elizabeth was a staunch Protestant: She was committed to establishing a strong Protestant church in England, and she saw religious plays as a way to promote her religious agenda.
* She supported the development of the English theater: Elizabeth was a patron of the arts, and she encouraged the growth of the English theater, which she believed was a valuable tool for propaganda and education.
However, Elizabeth did regulate religious plays:
* She banned plays that were considered controversial or heretical: Plays that challenged her authority or the teachings of the Protestant Church were prohibited.
* She required plays to be licensed: She established a system of censorship to ensure that religious plays were aligned with her political and religious views.
So, while Elizabeth I did regulate religious plays, she didn't ban them altogether. She saw them as a valuable tool for promoting her authority and the Protestant faith, and she encouraged their development while ensuring that they remained within acceptable bounds.