Why was Queen Elizabeth I expected to marry?

Queen Elizabeth I was expected to marry primarily to secure a political alliance and ensure a stable succession for the English throne. As a female monarch, marriage was seen as a means to strengthen her position and consolidate power through strategic partnerships. Additionally, societal norms of the time placed significant pressure on women to fulfill traditional roles, and marrying would have been viewed as a way to legitimize her rule. However, Elizabeth famously chose to remain single, earning her the moniker "The Virgin Queen."