What difficulties did Queen Elizabeth face as a female ruler

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Created by
Sumaya Farah

Cards (6)

  • Government:
    > The nobility expected Elizabeth to marry which was a problem because if she married a foreigner she might upset Englishmen, and if she married a particular Englishmen might upset the others.
  • War and Violence:
    > In 1601 Elizabeth faced a challenge by Essex. Even though the rebellion was the greatest crisis of Elizabeth’s final years the Privy Council stood with the Queen and made sure that Essex was not
    successful.
  • War and Violence:
    > In 1601 Elizabeth faced a challenge by Essex. Even though the rebellion was the greatest crisis of Elizabeth’s final years the Privy Council stood with the Queen and made sure that Essex was not
    successful.
  • Religion:
    > Elizabeth’s sister, Mary, had been very extreme in her religious views and married a foreigner – Philip II of Spain which angered many Englishmen.
  • Religion:
    > It was difficult for a woman to lead the Church of England and to decide on religion. This is why she became the ‘governor’ rather than the ‘head’ of the church. Elizabeth wanted loyalty, she steered a
    middle course to not upset anyone and keep the peace.
  • Ideas:
    > Gender: Some feared a female ruler meant that England would continue to be seen as a weak country. France and Spain were the most powerful nations, and both were ruled by kings . Elizabeth
    was young and inexperienced in government. She had to overcome prejudices to prove she was her father’s daughter.