The cult of Elizabeth- Rachel

I have been researching how some people believe that Queen Elizabeth basically took the place of Mary/Catholicism and that she became an idol for her subjects. She is called "the Virgin Queen"- similar to the Virgin Mary, eh? I agree that there were some idolatrous activities going on centered around Elizabeth, but what I'm trying to decide is whether or not this extreme increase in her popularity was a result of genuine love from her subjects, a result of the Reformation (they lost Catholicism and subconsciously needed something/someone to take its place), or a result of political propaganda set up by the government to gain England's approval of their new ruler, which actually serves these individual peoples' (the people who set up the propaganda) personal interests as well.

This is a great source! It uses a specific portrait to explain the different ways in which Elizabeth was idolized- for example, her sleeves make it look like she has angel wings. I wonder what the painter was trying to convey? :) Hint, hint.

JSTOR -----Painting and Poetry of the Cult of Elizabeth I: The Ditchley Portrait and Donne's "Elegie: Going to Bed" Author(s): Albert C. Labriola Source: Studies in Philology, Vol. 93, No. 1 (Winter, 1996), pp. 42-63

Published by: University of North Carolina Press Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4174537

The Subject of Elizabeth by Louis Montrose is also great because it explores multiple sides to this debate. It explains the ways in which Elizabeth was idolized and it gives insight into the people who may have set up propaganda to increase her popularity for their own benefit.