Problems faced by Elizabeth

• • Elizabeth being a female ruler meant that people feared that England would continue to be seen as a weak country
  • The most powerful nations, France and Spain, were ruled by kings
• • Elizabeth was not married when she took the throne in 1558
  • Some worried she might marry a foreign prince who may take control of England
  • Without marriage, she could not produce a heir - some feared this would bring instability to the throne
• • Elizabeth was seen as illegitimate as she was born out of wedlock
  • Her parents marriage was annulled, making her illegimate
• Elizabeth was described as:

  • Educated - spoke foreign languages so was able to directly deal with foreign ambassadors
  • Married to her people - she put England's stability over her own chance at marriage
  • Skillful propagandist - partially responsible for creating the "Golden Age"
• • Elizabeth not marrying meant she could kept sole control of English affairs
  • She was the focus of all power since there was no successor
  • However, uncertainty on a successor had the potential to lead to plots to overthrow Elizabeth
  • The Privy Council felt no succession lef England vulnerable