Chapter 6 Summary

The Protestant Reformation threatens to engulf Scotland, and Elizabeth sees a chance to rid Scotland of the French. She sends money to pay the rebel army. The Scottish lords depose the Queen Regent, mother of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the Privy Council, with Cecil leading them, urges Elizabeth to intervene. Elizabeth waits. Her reign is short of money, ships and men. She begins a pattern of action that continues throughout her tenure, waiting to see how things fall out, how others commit themselves, and then intervening at the last possible moment. Cecil sees that the risk of financial loss must be balanced against the perils of inaction, and he gets Elizabeth to act by threatening to quit his position. The queen sends fourteen ships to the Firth of Forth to destroy French shipping. The British naval success is followed by stormy weather...