ELIZABETH (xi), 1598-1603--THE QUEEN'S LAST YEARS A new Generation--1598. Ireland--The Earl of Essex--1599. Essex in Ireland--His Downfall--Catholic Factions--Philip III.--1600--Ireland--Succession Intrigues--The End of Essex--Robert Cecil--1601. Ireland: Rebellion broken--1602. The Succession --Last Intrigues--1603. Death of Elizabeth. CHAPTER XXVII ELIZABETH (xii), 1558-1603--LITERATURE Birth of a National Literature-- _Prose_: before 1579--1579-1589--_Euphues_--Sidney--Hooker-- _Verse_: before 1579--1579-1590--_Drama_: before Elizabeth-- early Elizabethan--_The Younger Generation>_: pervading Characteristics Displayed in the Drama--and other Fields--Breadth of view--Patriotism--Normal Types. CHAPTER XXVIII ELIZABETH (xiii), 1558-1603--ASPECTS OF THE REIGN Features of the Reign-- _Religion_: State and Church--The State and the Catholics--The Church and the Puritans--Archbishop Whitgift--The Persecutions--_Economic Progress_--Retrenchment--Wealth and Poverty--Trade Restrictions and Development--_Travellers_--Maritime Expansion--_The Constitution-- Elizabeth_: her People--her Ministers--Appreciation. APPENDICES APPENDIX A--TABLES I. CONTEMPORARY RULERS--1475-1542 II. CONTEMPORARY RULERS--1542-1603 III. THE LENNOX STEWARTS IV. HOWARDS AND BOLEYNS V. HABSBURGS VI. VALOIS AND BOURBONS VII. GUISES DESCENDANTS OF EDWARD III. THE PORTUGUESE SUCCESSION APPENDIX B CLAIMS TO THE THRONE APPENDIX C THE QUEEN OF SCOTS APPENDIX D BIBLIOGRAPHY MAPS I. THE WORLD: AS KNOWN _circa_ 1485-1603. II. WESTERN EUROPE: _circa_ 1558 III. ENGLAND AND IRELAND IV. SPANISH AMERICA: _circa 1580 V. THE LOW COUNTRIES AND THE CHANNEL THE FLODDEN CAMPAIGN INDEX ENGLAND UNDER THE TUDORS INTRODUCTION THE TUDOR PERIOD, 1485-1603 [Sidenote: An era of Revolutions]