Elizabeth 1558-1603

Elizabeth Early Years 1558-63

What was the consolidation of power like

quite smooth- Mary reluctantly recognised her and declared her loyalty at Hatfield. Demonstrates that there would be no attempt to challenge Elizabeth’s right to the throne because of Catholics who didnt see Henry’s marriage to Anne as valid

Coronation = splendid occasion - welcomed wholeheartedly with Elizabeth seeming to be welcoming and open

Elizabeth Early Years 1558-63

What was the privy council like

Pole died on the same day as Mary

Elizabeth wanted a smaller council than Mary and chose men of ability who had shown loyalty to the Tudor dynasty either from personal service to her (Like William Cecil) or from long establisged families

11 of mary’s councillors were reappointed as they had experience e.g. Winchester as treasurer who had served both Edward and Mary

Elizabeth Early Years 1558-63

issue of succession/ marriage

1. Issue of marriage being urgent - age 25 and normally she would have been married - there was some discomfort with a female ruler

2. Foreign husband = would be a danger of England becoming a satellite of the husband’s territories. But keeping foreign suitors waiting made for good diplomacy when England faced several threats from abroad

3. English husband = Danger of upsetting the balance of power within the English nobility

Elizabeth Early Years 1558-63

What would be the religious consequences of choosing a husband?

marriage might upset the delicate balance that had been achieved in Elizabeth’s religious settlement

Elizabeth Early Years 1558-63

What was the significance of 1562

Elizabeth got smallpox but she recovered, but it brought home the importance of agreeing a marriage for Elizabeth. If she had died there’d be a civil war because of no heir

Elizabeth Early Years 1558-63

What were some possible suitors at home and abroad

Philip II

Archduke Ferdinand and Archduke Charles - both of Austria

Prince eric of sweden

Earl of Arundel

Sir William Pickering

Dudley

Elizabeth Early Years 1558-63

Who did Elizabeth perhaps wish to marry? What was the problem?

Dudley but his dad and grandad had been executed for treason and his wife’s death in 1560 was deemed suspicious and sparked loads of rumours

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