when elizabeth was queen of england it was a time of great deeds and great men. the queen was brave and clever herself, so she liked to have brave and clever people around her. great soldiers, and writers, and statesmen went to her court; and when brave seamen came back from their voyages to unknown lands far away, they were invited by the queen to visit her, and tell her of all the strange places and people they had seen. in this elizabeth was wise, for men did their best to show themselves worthy of her favours.