Elizabeth took power with army support after watching the earlier succession crises. French and Swedish ambassadors assisted her, and her popularity rested partly on her decision to carry out no executions. Construction, education and social reforms gave people positive reasons to support her government. A more sceptical interpretation suggests that supporters quietly removed opponents without the public proceedings associated with formal prosecution. The succession struggles before her accession had also already eliminated many potential challengers. Her stability therefore combined active government with circumstances and possible methods that deserve separate consideration.
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Elizabeth turns a coup into controlled stability
Elizabeth secured the throne with military and diplomatic support, promoted reform and avoided executions, while a more sceptical interpretation attributes some of her authority to quiet coercion.