The England of King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I Part 4 (Elizabeth I's Reign)

Ascension to the Throne
- Crowned in January 1559, succeeding her half-sister Queen Mary.
- Event marked by a grand coronation to symbolize change and order.
- Quote: "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes."

Significance of the Coronation
- Aimed to impress the royal court and subjects of England.
- Two Key Messages:
1. The chaos inherited needed order, establishing Elizabeth as the bringer of that order.
2. A new era, a potential golden age, embodied by the young queen, marked by harmony and achievement.
- Elizabeth sought to present her reign as a decisive break from the past.
Elizabeth’s Goals
- Defined her regime with rhetoric of reform and change.
- Discredited Mary’s reign, attributing problems, particularly religious issues, to Roman Catholicism and Spain.

Appointment of Advisers
- Dismissed Roman Catholic members of the Privy Council.
- Appointed Protestant counselors including William Cecil, later Lord Burley.
- Installed close friends and family in royal household.
Narrow Government Formation
- Created a narrower government compared to Mary’s based on Protestant appointments.
- The council comprised experienced administrators, familiar with governance.
- Despite continuity, the new regime emphasized reform.

Challenges of Female Rule
- Facing stereotypes of female domesticity and obedience in 16th century England.
- Elizabeth’s determination to redefine the role of a queen.
- Her personal belief: ready to marry for her subjects but preferred singlehood for herself.
Comments on Female Capabilities
- Mixed sentiments toward her capability based on gender.
- Notably, underlined by her secretary Ceil: "Too much for a woman's knowledge."

Elizabeth’s Devotion and Religiosity
- Genuinely devout; attended chapel daily, viewed herself as God's instrument.
- Measured political risks regarding religion, not claiming absolute right to doctrine.
- Raised Protestant and accepted reformed theology, emphasizing Protestant ideals in public presentation.
Institutional Changes After Coronation
- February 1559: Privy Council introduced legislation to restore royal supremacy over the Church of England, previously returned to the Pope by Mary.
- Key Legislation:
1. Restored Protestant services from Edward VI’s reign.
2. Grouped into the Reformation Bill for parliamentary processing.

Parliamentary Proceedings
- The Reformation Bill faced criticism from Roman Catholic bishops in the House of Lords.
- Legislation deemed too radical, prompting amendments and delays in passing.
- Resulted in Elizabeth to be titled "Governor of the Church of England" instead of its head.
Impact of Legislative Changes
- The Book of Common Prayer adapted to reduce offense to Catholic bishops.
- The debates showcased Elizabeth's pragmatism, balancing Protestantism and Catholicism to maintain peace.
- This era termed as the Elizabethan Settlement of 1559.

Increasing Catholic Opposition
- By the 1570s, new Jesuit priests entered England as part of the Counter-Reformation.
- Elizabeth’s response: Fierce persecution of Catholic priests.
- Example: Jesuit priest Campion tortured and executed in 1581.
Legislative Actions Against Catholic Priests
- 1582: Parliament passed a bill branding Catholic priests as traitors, punishable by death.
- 80 such executions between 1581 and 1590, marking England’s harsh stance against Catholics.
Consequences of the Settlement
- The initial Elizabethan Settlement appeared to weaken, showing Elizabeth's determination to solidify Protestantism.
- Demonstrated by continued struggles against Catholic influences in England, leading to significant religious persecution.