Ministers; royal authority; problems of succession; relations with foreign powers

^^Royal authority under Mary^^

In 1553, faced with LJG’s challenge, Mary gathered Catholic supporters among the nobility + gentry and won over those who resented the brutality with which ^^Kett’s rebellion^^ had been suppressed. As a result she was proclaimed Queen in ^^July 1553.^^ However, Mary was a committed Catholic in a country where Protestant reforms were well advanced, and neither she nor her supporters had any real political experience.

^^Royal Government^^

Mary selected a large group of Privy Councillors including Catholic nobles and churchmen such as Bishop ^^Stephen Gardiner^^, who became ^^Lord Chancellor^^ until his death in ^^1555^^. She also called on the services of moderates from Edward’s reign, such as ^^William Paget^^. This brought some factional rivalry, although providing her with experienced officials.

However, Mary increasingly ignored the Council - turned instead to ^^Simon Renard^^ (ambassador of Charles V and later adviser to Philip II). He had tremendous influence over English affairs. Mary also relied on Cardinal ^^Reginald Pole^^, who arrived in England in ^^1554^^ and became ^^Archbishop of Canterbury^^ in ^^1556^^

Mary and Parliament generally cooperated, with a few disagreements over religious policy and the succession:

  • a significant minority of MPs opposed the reversal of Edward’s religious legislation
  • MPs proved reluctant to restore ex-monastic property to the Church (concern for property rights/self-interest)
  • Parliament defeated a ^^1555^^ bill to allow the seizure of property of Protestant exiles
  • There was opposition over the issue of succession

^^Problems of Succession^^

The Spanish marriage

Mary (aged 37) wanted to marry and produce a Catholic heir.

  • Gardiner suggested Edward Courtenay, Earl of Devon, but marriage to an Englishman was likely to provoke factional rivalry
  • Mary preferred Phillip II Spain (who received Paget’s support) - but public opinion hostile towards foreigners

Without consulting the Privy Council, Mary chose to go ahead with the Spanish marriage

The marriage Treaty:
  • Philip given title of King but no power
  • foreigners forbidden from holding English offices
  • England absolved from any involvement in or financial support for Spanish wars
  • Philip had no claim on the English Crown if Mary died

Marriage was unsuccessful - did not produce an heir and Parliament did not approve (prevented Philip’s coronation ^^1555^^)

Plans for the succession

The ^^1544 Succession Act^^ stated that Elizabeth would succeed Mary if she died childless. However, Elizabeth was Protestant, and Mary resented her as the reason for her parents’ divorce. She also believed Elizabeth was illegitimate.

Although Mary confined Elizabeth to the Tower after Wyatt’s rebellion in ^^1554^^, no proof could be found of her guilt so she was released. Mary named Elizabeth as her successor on ^^6th Nov 1558^^ (11 days before her death)

^^Relations with foreign powers^^

The main influences on May’s foreign policy concerned her desire to restore ^^Papal Supremacy^^ and to marry Philip II Spain - both achieved in ^^1554^^. However, the election of anti-Spanish ^^Pope Paul IV^^ in ^^1555^^ renewed war between France and Spain. Mary decided to support Spain despite terms of the marriage treaty, going to war against France (and, indirectly, the Papacy).

Paget supported an expedition to northern France in ^^1557^^. This was a disaster - loss of ^^Calais^^ in ^^Jan 1558.^^