There, anew equipped with the shield of Faith, the helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, he goes forth to greater conquests; the dragon is slain, the Lady Una triumphant, the Church delivered, and Holiness to the Lord established as the law of his all-subduing kingdom on earth.
BRITOMARTIS .-- In the third book the further adventures of the red-cross knight are related, but a heroine divides our attention with him.
_Britomartis_, or Chastity, finds him attacked by six lawless knights, who try to compel him to give up his lady and serve another.

Here Britomartis represents Elizabeth, and the historic fact is the conflict of English Protestantism carried on upon land and sea, in the Netherlands, in France, and against the Invincible Armada of Philip.

The new mistress offered him in the place of Una is the Papal Church, and the six knights are the nations fighting for the claims of Rome.
The valiant deeds of Britomartis represent also the power of chastity, to which Scott alludes when he says, She charmed at once and tamed the heart, Incomparable Britomarte.[28] And here the poet pays his most acceptable tribute to the Virgin Queen.
She is in love with Sir Artegal--abstract justice.

She has encountered him in fierce battle, and he has conquered her.

It was the fond boast of Elizabeth that she lived for her people, and for their sake refused to marry.