The Difficulties of Being a Female Ruler

The Difficulties for Elizabeth as a Female Ruler

When Elizabeth became queen in 1558, most people wanted a man to be king (or monarch). Women did not have much power in society and Mary I’s reign had been short and unsuccessful (losing a war and running into debt).

Finding a husband

Many parliamentarians (people in parliament) saw it as their responsibility to find Elizabeth a husband, but this angered the queen, who ordered them not to speak about it.
- This was seen as important because having a husband was the only way for Elizabeth to produce a legitimate heir.
Having an heir would provide stability if Elizabeth were to die. If not, there was a risk of civil war.
This was especially important given the religious divisions between Protestants and Catholics in England.

The problem with religion

She could not marry a Catholic, because England was now a Protestant country after the split from Rome.
She rejected many foreign suitors, including King Felipe (Philip in English) of Spain, King Eric of Sweden, and Archduke Charles of Austria. Some people wanted these suitors to rule for Elizabeth.
She also rejected English suitors, such as Robert Dudley. These English nobles would have loved to become the King of England and taken over as the decision-maker in England.

Succession

Having a child that could take over as king or queen (an heir) was very important.
- If there was no clear successor to the throne, then a civil war seemed likely.
This put pressure on Elizabeth to marry and have children, although doing this would risk her losing her power as monarch to her husband.

Relations with Parliament

Parliament (the House of Commons and the House of Lords) was responsible for passing laws, setting taxes, and advising the queen.

The House of Commons

Parliament was responsible for passing laws, setting taxes, and advising the queen.
- The House of Commons was elected by property-owning men.
- Elections were not free/fair, because ‘the state’ controlled the ballot in certain places if they wanted particular figures to be elected.

The Privy Council

The Privy Council was responsible for negotiating between Parliament and the Crown.
- William Cecil did this particularly effectively, and was a strong advocate for the queen’s policies to Parliament.

Elizabeth and Parliament

Elizabeth did not have to listen to parliament, but she could not ignore it entirely.
- Elizabeth called only 13 sessions of parliament during her reign, which lasted 44 years.

Elizabeth's Strained Relations with Parliament

Many parliamentarians (people in parliament) saw it as their responsibility to find Elizabeth a husband, but this angered the queen, who ordered them not to speak about it. There were many other examples of the strained relations.

Peter Wentworth

MP Peter Wentworth was arrested three times for suggesting that MPs should be allowed to express their views on any matter they wanted.
- Elizabeth disagreed.
Wentworth tried to pressure Queen Elizabeth into naming a successor who was Puritan or Protestant in 1593. This earned him an arrest and imprisonment. He died in prison.

Puritanism

Parliament also reflected religious divides in the country. The majority of parliamentarians were Protestants who supported Elizabeth’s religious settlement, the Middle Way.
However, the issue of Puritanism (a branch of Protestantism that wanted to reduce the influence of Catholicism in England) caused disagreement.
A number of Puritans in parliament wanted to pass laws to change the Church of England, but they didn’t have enough support.

Crime and poverty

MPs disagreed about how to deal with crime and poverty.
- Most realized that punishing the poor did not work, but a Poor Law was not passed until 1601.

Monopolies

Elizabeth was criticized by some parliamentarians for giving powerful people monopolies to make sure that they supported her.
MP Robert Bell called this practice unfair in 1571, and other MPs joined his calls for change.
Elizabeth gave a speech to parliament in 1601 where she appeared to promise big reforms, without giving any concrete details. Elizabeth died in 1603.

1Queen, Government & Religion

1.1Elizabeth I & her Court

1.1.1Elizabeth's Accession

1.1.2Elizabeth's Court

1.1.3The French Threat

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I & her Court

1.1.5Grade 9 - Elizabeth I & her Court

1.1.6Exam-Style Questions - French Threats

1.2Elizabeth's Opponents in Court & Parliament

1.2.1The Difficulties of Being a Female Ruler

1.2.2Mary Queen of Scots

1.2.3End of Topic Test - Elizabeth's Opponents

1.2.4Grade 9 - Elizabeth's Opponents

1.2.5Exam-Style Questions - Mary Queen of Scots

2Challenges to Elizabeth at Home & Abroad

2.1The Religious Settlement

2.1.1Henry VIII's Protestant Legacy

2.1.2The Religious Settlement

2.1.3Religious Threats to Elizabeth I

2.1.4End of Topic Test - The Religious Settlement

2.1.5Grade 9 - Challenges at Home & Abroad

2.1.6Exam-Style Questions - Religious Threats

2.2Rebellion & War

2.2.1Plots & Revolts at Home 1569-88

2.2.2War with Spain

2.2.3End of Topic Test - Challenges at Home and Abroad

2.2.4Grade 9 - Rebellion and War

2.2.5Exam-Style Questions - Northern Rebellion

3Elizabethan Society 1558-88

3.1Education & Leisure

3.1.1Leisure & Education under Elizabeth

3.1.2End of Topic Test - Education & Leisure

3.2The Poor & Living Standards

3.2.1Living Standards & the Gentry

3.2.2Paupers & Charity under Elizabeth

3.2.3End of Topic Test - Elizabethan Society

3.2.4Exam-Style Questions - Poverty

3.3Exploration & Discovery

3.3.1Navigation & Exploration under Elizabeth

3.3.2End of Topic Test - Exploration and Discovery

3.3.3Grade 9 - Elizabethan Society & Navigation

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