Problems Inherited

• Elizabeths father (Henry VIII) and Grandfather (Henry VII) were both great kings
• Her younger brother (Edward VI) and older sister (Mary) had also ruled as monarchs but neither had an heir
• After Mary's death in 1558, Elizabeth inherited the throne
• Some people thought she had a illegitimate claim to the throne because:

  • Elizabeth's mother was Anna Boleyn, Henry VIII's second wife
  • Her mother was beheaded and Henry annulled their marriage
  • This means that Elizabeths claim to the throne was questioned
• Her gender also posed a problem:

  • 16th century England was highly a highly patriarchal society
  • People were worried that female monarchs could not lead their armies into battle and would only do what their husbands wanted
• When elizabeth became queen, she inherited a debt of £300,000
• Elizabeth needed to raise taxes to pay of her debt
• Elizabeth needed to take out new loans to fund an army and navy to defend england
• 3 Major religions in England during this time:

  • Catholicism
  • Protestantism
  • Puritanism
• Europe was also divided by religion:

  • The two superpowers, france and spain, were strongly catholic and threatened to invade if Elizabeth did not return to catholicism.
  • Other protestant countries such as the netherlands needed Elizabeths support