Influences on Elizabeth's early life

who was Henry VIII to Elizabeth?

Her father & King of England

what did H8 do to Elizabeth after the birth of Edward?

made Elizabeth illegitimate & she lost the title of princess (she became Lady Elizabeth)

how involved was H8 during Elizabeth’s upbringing?

Henry entrusted Elizabeth’s upbringing to a governess & gave her a household of her own which moved around the royal residences. He occasionally invited her to court for events such as Edward’s christening.

what happened to Elizabeth in H8s 1545 Act of Succession?

H8 named Elizabeth as his heir after Edward & Mary but did not make her legitimate. 

how did Elizabeth think of her father?

For most of Elizabeth’s childhood he was a distant, powerful figure. She appears to have been proud of him, and though they are examples of him losing his temper with her, their (infrequent) meetings were generally friendly.

what was Catherine Parr’s relationship to Elizabeth?

H8s last wife

Catherine was an…

ideal stepmother & persuaded Henry to bring his daughters back to court

how was Catherine involved in Elizabeth’s early education?

She kept an eye on Elizabeth’s religious instruction (Catherine was sympathetic towards further Protestant reform)& her general education

After H8s death, Catherine…

married Thomas Seymour & brought up Elizabeth in their household

Catherine & Elizabeth had an…

affectionate relationship and regarded each other as mother & daughter

what happened to Elizabeth whilst she lived with Catherine Parr?

Elizabeth had to be sent away from Catherine’s household after Thomas Seymour started a flirtation with Elizabeth. Despite this, Catherine & Elizabeth remained on friendly terms

what was Thomas Seymour’s relationship to Elizabeth?

Somerset’s brother, E6s uncle & Catherine Parr’s husband

what did Thomas Seymour attempt to do after Catherine Parr’s death?

attempted to marry Elizabeth & abduct Edward to bring the king under his personal control

how did Elizabeth react to Thomas Seymour?

Elizabeth (aged 14) seemed flattered by his attention & was attracted to him

what happened to Thomas Seymour?

Seymour was arrested alongside others.

what happened to Elizabeth as a result of Thomas Seymour’s plans?

As it was illegal for a royal heir to marry without the Privy Council’s permission, Elizabeth was interrogated to discover if she was complicit in Seymour’s plots; she was cleared but was in grave danger during this period

who was Kat Ashley to Elizabeth?

Elizabeth’s governess

what was Kat Ashley’s role?

Was with Elizabeth from 1536; she supervised Elizabeth’s education in mathematics, languages, geography, sewing, dancing, deportment & riding. 

what happened to Kat Ashley?

Was arrested & interrogated during Seymour’s courtship of Elizabeth (1548) but was released & restored to her former position.

what was Elizabeth’s relationship like with Kat Ashley?

Elizabeth loved Kat & remained closely attached to her throughout her childhood; she fiercely resisted attempts by Edward & Mary to replace Kat with governesses of their choosing.

how did Elizabeth show her devotion to Kat Ashley?

by appointing Kat First Lady of the Bedchamber when she became queen

who was Roger Ascham to Elizabeth?

a scholar & Elizabeth’s tutor

what was Roger Ascham’s role to Elizabeth?

Was Elizabeth’s tutor from 1548-1550 & returned in 1555 to concentrate on her studies in Greek.

what was Roger Ascham’s influence on Elizabeth?

By the age of 14, Elizabeth could speak fluent French, Italian & Latin. She read Greek daily and enjoyed listening to music. Ascham described Elizabeth as his ‘brightest student’.

who was Edward VI to Elizabeth?

Elizabeth’s half-brother & king of England

Edward & Elizabeth were originally …

close, despite living in separate households, but once he became king he was dominated by Somerset. 

What was Edward & Elizabeth’s relationship like?

He saw Elizabeth infrequently & although Elizabeth continued to write to him regularly, the affection that had been shared as children had gone. Edward remained aloof doing Elizabeth’s investigation in Seymour’s plans & did not receive her at court for 6 months after. Northumberland used his influence to ensure that Elizabeth did not meet her brother & that her letters did not reach him.

what was Mary Tudor’s relationship to Elizabeth?

Elizabeth’s half-sister & queen of England

Mary had little reason to …

be fond of Elizabeth

why did Mary not like Elizabeth?

her birth had meant that at 18, Mary had to give up her household & address her half-sister as Princess - a title she considered her own. She had very little in common with Elizabeth because she remained attached to the Spanish inheritance & Roman Catholicism of her mother.

what was Mary & Elizabeth’s relationship like when Mary took the throne?

In 1553 after Northumberland’s coup, the sisters entered London together, however, Mary’s suspicions of Elizabeth resurfaced. Mary saw Elizabeth as a possible figurehead for enemies of Catholicism as she believed Elizabeth to be Protestant despite her attendance at Mass. 

Mary and Elizabeth’s relationship deteriorated further in…

1554

why did Mary & Elizabeth’s relationship deteriorate in 1554?

Mary sent Elizabeth to the tower on suspicion of her involvement in Wyatt’s rebellion. Elizabeth’s life was in danger as Mary & her councillors discussed whether she should be executed alongside Wyatt. After her release, Elizabeth was kept under house arrest in Oxfordshire.

how was Mary & Elizabeth’s relationship like in the end?

The tensions in their relationship continued to the end, with Mary refusing to proclaim Elizabeth her heir to the throne on the grounds that she was the bastard daughter of the women who replaced her mother, the rightful queen.