Defamation, persecution, executions and tactics were on both sides, and by Catholics by Protestants. While Queen Mary was in power, Elizabeth waited patiently for her moment. On both sides, there were marriages of interest, that the families would strengthen and overthrow the other. During Mary's reign, there were persecution of Protestants, even members of Elizabeth's family, people being on the side of Protestants, because of Catholic bloody persecution. Until later, Elizabeth was in power, Catholic services were banned, but no legal sanctions existed if they were maintained. The law was tolerant for the 16th century because it did not obligate Catholics to go to Protestant services with small taxes paid. Thus, Elizabeth, in a way, gained Catholics in a Protestant country to be more loyal to her than the Pope. It can be said that, according to Protestantism, Elizabeth's religious policy was more tactical.