Which of the following statements describes Elizabeth I of England?

Elizabeth I of England is renowned for her approach to religion during a time of significant upheaval. The statement that she compromised between Roman and Protestant doctrines accurately captures her policy of religious tolerance, often referred to as the Elizabethan Religious Settlement. This settlement sought to establish a middle ground that was moderate and inclusive of different views within the Christian faith.

Elizabeth I aimed to unify her kingdom after the intense sectarian conflicts that had characterized earlier reigns, particularly those of her father, Henry VIII, and her half-sister, Mary I. As a Protestant herself, she introduced the Book of Common Prayer and the Act of Supremacy, which reaffirmed her position as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. However, she also retained certain Catholic traditions and elements within the Anglican Church to ease dissent among her subjects, thereby minimizing potential conflicts and enabling her to maintain stability in her reign.

Her strategic approach to governance and religion distinguished her from her predecessors and allowed her to address the needs of both Catholics and Protestants, making her reign one of relative peace in a time otherwise marked by religious strife. This characteristic of Elizabeth’s rule is what makes the statement about her compromising between Roman and Protestant doctrines the most accurate representation of her as a monarch.