Elizabeth’s consolidation of power

Within a few hours of Mary’s death…

Elizabeth had been notified & faced no attempts to interfere with her lawful succession as defined by H8

Mary’s councillors who were aware that…

Elizabeth did not share their views

Mary’s councillors who were aware that Elizabeth did not share their views but…

did not attempt to interfere with the succession

why did Elizabeth not face any resistance by Mary’s councillors?

Mary had recognised Elizabeth as her successor and Phillip of Spain signified his recognition when he sent his envoy to see Elizabeth a month before Mary’s death.

Elizabeth’s succession was…

difficult

why was Elizabeth’s succession difficult?

bad harvests, flu epidemic, delicate religious & political situations

England had faced a series of bad harvests, meaning…

food was scarce & expensive

The country had suffered greatly from the flu epidemic which…

brought about the highest rate of mortality since the Black Death

why were the political & religious situations of England delicate?

England had fought a disastrous war against France which had resulted in the loss of Calais, the question of the queen’s marriage had become the subject of endless speculation & it was evident that there would be changes to the Catholic faith as re-established by Queen Mary

Elizabeth’s path to power was eased by…

the acceptance of the succession by Mary’s key councillors

How did Mary’s key councillors accept Elizabeth’s succession?

17th November 1558 (Mary’s death) Nicholas Heath announced Mary’s death to Parliament & proclaimed Elizabeth’s succession

who was Nicholas Heath?

Mary’s Lord Chancellor & Catholic Archbishop of York

what did Nicholas Heath do?

announced Mary’s death to Parliament & proclaimed Elizabeth’s succession

Legally Nicholas Heath had….announce Mary’s death to Parliament & proclaim Elizabeth’s succession

no right to

why was it significant that Nicholas Heath announced Mary’s death to Parliament & proclaimed Elizabeth’s succession?

 it showed that the political elite of the nation collectively approved of Elizabeth’s accession & there would be no attempt to deny Elizabeth’s succession by devout Catholics who had never accepted the validity of her fathers marriage to CoA

who did Elizabeth appoint as principal secretary?

William Cecil

what did Elizabeth do with her household appointments?

she did not announce any further appointments after Cecil this kept Mary’s councillors guessing about her intentions and speculating about their chances of retaining some measure of royal favour

Elizabeth consolidated her power by keeping to…

custom and proceeded to the Tower of London to receive pageants organised on her behalf by the city and to be seen by her new subjects

Elizabeth proceeded quickly to…

her coronation

how quick was Elizabeth’s coronation?

2 months

when was Elizabeth’s coronation?

15 January 1559

Elizabeth gained some measure of international confirmation from…

Spain

how did Spain recognise Elizabeth’s accention?

the Spanish ambassador had already visited Elizabeth before Mary’s death & after her accession tried to broker a marriage alliance between Elizabeth & Phillip - nothing came of that but it demonstrated that Philip was unwilling to do anything to destroy the succession