Early rule

• Elizabeth came to power in 1558
• Strengths: She was intelligent - fluent in many languages, one of the most educated women of the time (she had to use her intelligence to survive the rule of Mary I)
• Weaknesses: She was a woman - so there were fears England would continue to be a weak country or that she would marry to a foreign prince.
• Strengths: She was popular - Many people saw her rule a fresh start
• Strengths: Both her parents were English - there would be less foreign influence
• Weaknesses: Religious conflict - Henry VIII had broken away from the Catholic church, Mary I had killed many protestants, Elizabeth had to settle an agreement so both could live peacefully
• Invasion: Mary Queen of Scots had a claim to the throne, she was catholic and many catholic's saw Elizabeth as illegitimate.
• Debts: Mary I had left debts of £250,000
• The privy council were a group of noblemen (started at 19 and was cut down to 11 by the end of her reign) who were selected as trusted advisors by Elizabeth
• The council met daily as their influence grew
• William Cecil: Secretary of state (1558), most important minister and guided Elizabeth wisely for 40 years, he was given the title Lord Burghley (1571)
• Robert Dudley - Earl of Leicester, trusted advisor until he died (1588) it was rumoured he and Elizabeth were lovers
• Sir Francis Walsingham: In charge of Elizabeth's secret service and advised on foreign affairs, he uncovered the plot that lead to Queen Mary's execution (1586)
• Parliament: Met only when Elizabeth called it, she used it to grant her taxes, parliament met only 13 times in her 45 year reign, Privy councillors sat in meetings to help control proceedings
• Parliament issues: MP's felt Elizabeth should marry and produce an heir. some Puritan MP's disagreed with the middle way, challenging Elizabeth by threatening to not grant her taxes.
• Monopoly issue: Elizabeth gave monopolies to nobles to boost the economy, she also made money from granting monopoly licenses. However prices rose as one person was controlling a particular trade. MP's protested in 1579 and 1601, not granting taxes until the monopolies had been withdrawn. She withdrew some, as well as making a flattering speech about parliament known as the golden speech
• Elizabeth had many suitors; Robert Dudley, King Philip of Spain and Francis duke of Alencon, however she never married likely due to the fact she didn't want someone else running England, she wanted to keep it independant
• Advantages of not marrying: She kept sole control of English affairs e.g. religion and government. Not marrying someone foreign allowed her to keep her foreign affairs options open.
• Disadvantages of not marrying: Uncertainty over who was going to succeed Elizabeth lead to many plots to overthrow her. The privy council and MP's felt frustrated because without succession they felt the country was vulnerable.
• Suitor Robert Dudley: Ambitious, good looking. He was already married, when his wife died there was suspicion she had been murdered so Dudley could marry Elizabeth, Elizabeth turned him down to protect her reputation
• Suitor King Philip II: In the 1560's he proposed to Elizabeth. He was Catholic and previously married to Mary I. MP's were not in favour of the match fearing more religious unsettlement as well as foreign influence over government. Elizabeth cautiously rejected him.
• Suitor Duke of Alencon: He was heir to the French throne. Marriage negotiations went on for a decade. There were political advantages, such as influence over French policy in the Netherlands. Francis died in 1584 before the marriage was finalized.
• Suitor Archduke Charles: In 1567 Elizabeth considered marrying Archduke Charles of Austria but his Catholic faith would mean religious differences.