[RobbyS]

Elizabeth was the figure head of the Protestant faction and narrowly escaped execution by Mary because Mary could not bring herself to let Elizabeth be killed. After Pope Pius V formally deposed Elizabeth, the positions of Catholics in England became precarious and recusants in dangerous of execution, especially after the Jesuits becan to infiltrate the kingdom.

[quadrant]

Elizabeth was a "figure head" for no one. One of her greatest opponents said she was the "greatest prince in Christendom", quite an accomplishment for a woman in the 16th Century.

Elizabeth insisted on outward conformity but cared nothing about an individual's religious beliefs. She once said that she had no desire to "make windows into men's souls."

The Book of Common Prayer was not composed to control the private devotions of individuals but to control the actions of the clergy.

Mary I had no reason to order Elizabeth's execution because Elizabeth was careful never to give her sister a reason such an action.
Mary was a fanatic but she was not foolish enough to order the judicial murder of her presumptive successor.

To order the execution of an innocent person was considered a crime - especially if that person was family member and a member of the royal family - even in the 16th Century.