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380 EISE OF THE CONTINENTALHanseatic league was deprived of its privileges in England,and British ship-owners got the continental trade into theirhands. Thus, too, were made the first, although ineffectualattempts, to colonize North America, Thus was Englandeven then induced to turn her attention to the commercewith India by the way of the Cape of Good Hope ;and asearly as the end of this reign (1*600) the old East Indiathere were noCompany was established, although as yetimportant possessions in those parts.Thus many discoveries were made, and to this it isowing that Drake madehis successful voyage round the world.Most of these new branches of commerce were, it is true,so inconsiderable at that time, that they could not be fairlyregarded as possessing direct political influence. Commercial wars, strictly speaking, had not as yet arisen ;but the importance of trade in general began to be more sensiblyTo felt.this it must be added, that with the commerce and thenavigation of England, her naval power was also extended.As yet England had not been, in the present sense of theword, a naval itpower was only in the reign of HenryVIII. that a slight foundation was laid for that "Royal Navy"in which was to consist the future strengthof the country.The rivalry with Spain rendered an increase of naval powernecessary, and therefore it was augmented under Elizabeth ;but some great trial of strength was wanting to prove itswhole^importance to England. This was afforded by theinvincible armada ;and from that time the conviction becamedeeply rooted that the security and independence ofBritain depends upon her wooden walls. From that momentshe suddenly became conscious of her power, and the defensive war was changed into an offensive one ;from it too wemust date the rise of her designs upon the sovereignty ofthe seas, which, cleared as they now were of the Spanishfleets, seemed only to await a new mistress.The conclusion^ which we arrive therefore is, that, 1.The interest of religion under Elizabeth was also that of independence, and of the connexion between England andthe continent; 2. That during her time the foundation waslaid for a commercial interest, the whole power of whichhowever was not to be developedtill a later period.