1.1.1
Elizabeth's Accession
The Situation on Elizabeth's Succession
The Situation on Elizabeth's Succession
Elizabeth was the second child of Henry VIII (and her mother was Anne Boleyn). Mary I was Henry VIII's first child with Catherine of Aragon. Mary I was 17 years older than Elizabeth. They were both in the Tudor family (the House of Tudor) after Henry VII won the War of the Roses.
Conspiracy against Queen Mary I
Conspiracy against Queen Mary I
- Even before she became queen, she had faced challenges. Queen Mary I was 17 years older and born to Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife.
- In 1554, when Mary I came to the throne and implemented her pro-Catholic religious policies, Elizabeth I was put under house arrest in the Tower of Woodstock for 11 months. Elizabeth was reportedly cheered by crowds on her way to the Tower.
The French threat
The French threat
- Elizabeth faced threats of invasion from Scotland and France when she became queen in 1558.
- A war with France had ended in the 'Siege of Calais' on the 23rd of January 1558. The French captured the city of Calais, England's last piece of land on the European mainland.
- The 1559 Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis between France and Spain recognised Calais as 'in French custody'. England was fighting as Spain's ally.
- Mary, Queen of Scots, Elizabeth's main political rival was engaged (or promised in marriage) to the French King, King Francis II, who was also known as the 'Dauphin of France'.
Hierarchical society
Hierarchical society
- Society was extremely hierarchical (classified into levels) at this time: the queen was at the top of society, surrounded by the royal court and the Privy Council. 19 men sat on the Privy Council, and they met several times each week.
- There were around 100 nobles who had responsibility for the regions of the country which they owned. The gentry, knights and lawyers came below the nobles and helped to lead the local administrations in the counties.
Merchant class and the poor
Merchant class and the poor
- A growing merchant class was followed by a large group of yeomen who owned land.
- Tenant farmers rented from those who owned farmland.
- At the bottom came labourers, servants and the poor.
Houses of Parliament
Houses of Parliament
- Today, parliament votes on the policies for England and makes all decisions. In 1558, parliament was called when Elizabeth wanted to consult it and did not run the rest of the time.
- Elizabeth only called parliament when she wanted to raise taxes to finance a war, or during a serious crisis. Between 1558 and 1601 parliament held only nine sessions.
- The House of Lords consisted of around 100 lords, bishops and judges.
- The lower house, the House of Commons, had 450 MPs, elected by wealthy landowners.
Debt and finances
Debt and finances
- Monarchs (kings and queens) were expected to fund the costs of running the country. They raised money from taxes, which needed the approval of the Houses of Parliament. The power of the 2 Houses (House of Commons and House of Lords) constrained (or limited) the power of English kings and queens.
- A costly war with France had just come to an end. Elizabeth inherited debts of about 300,000 pounds. Nonetheless, she spent a further 100,000 pounds on arms and munitions due to the threat of further conflict.
Elizabeth I's Background
Elizabeth I's Background
Elizabeth I was young and inexperienced when she became Queen of England aged 25. She never married and was later known as 'The Virgin Queen'.
Siblings
Siblings
- She had a sister (Mary I) who was 17 years older than her and a younger brother (Edward VI) whose mother was Jane Seymour.
- Because of male succession (the crown passing to the first male heir), Edward VI became King of England aged 9. He died of a fever aged 15 in 1553.
- Mary I then became Queen at the age of 37. At this time Elizabeth was 20 years old.
- So Elizabeth I had been the third person 'in-line to the throne'.
- In 1553, it had been unlikely that she would ever be Queen.
Anne Boleyn
Anne Boleyn
- Anne Boleyn had been executed in 1536 for treason and adultery against Henry VIII. Anne Boleyn had reportedly dated a Belgian musician called Mark Smeaton and her own brother, George Boleyn, whilst married to Henry VIII.
- Anne was struggling to produce a male heir for Henry VIII which may have been the true reason for her execution.
- When Mary I ascended the throne in 1553, she viewed Elizabeth as a threat. She was younger and next in line to the throne.
The 'illegitimate' child
The 'illegitimate' child
- Anne Boleyn was executed for adultery and treason in 1536.
- It is reported that Henry said that Elizabeth was illegitimate. This could have been for 2 reasons:
- Elizabeth's father could have been Mark Smeaton or George Boleyn, instead of Henry.
- The Catholic Church had refused to support Henry VIII's divorce of Catherine of Aragon. This may have made his marriage to Anne Boleyn illegitimate. The Pope had not made Elizabeth's mother's marriage to Henry legitimate.
1Queen, Government & Religion
1.1Elizabeth I & her Court
2Challenges to Elizabeth at Home & Abroad
2.1The Religious Settlement
3Elizabethan Society 1558-88
3.1Education & Leisure
3.2The Poor & Living Standards
Jump to other topics
1Queen, Government & Religion
1.1Elizabeth I & her Court
2Challenges to Elizabeth at Home & Abroad
2.1The Religious Settlement
3Elizabethan Society 1558-88
3.1Education & Leisure
3.2The Poor & Living Standards
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