I found Queen Elizabeth's speech to the troops very interesting. Her speech was very powerful yet she still kept her place by admitting she was a feeble woman. That is a careful phrase. I think she was trying to say that even though I'm a woman in a body that isn't as strong as a man's I am still capable of being heroic. I have a weak body but I have a strong mind and a lions heart. She was bold. She supported her country's cause even if she had to fight and die.
I can imagine that have a leader say he or she was also willing to lay down his life for his country would help give the warrior a greater since of determination to overcome obstacle. They did just that, by defeating the Spanish and becoming the new super power.