Background

• Elizabeth came into power in 1558
• She inherited problems with religion , poverty and foreign policy
• Foreign policy - The actions and plans of one country when dealing with other nations
• Elizabeth became Queen after both her brother , Edward VI , and her sister , Mary I had died
• Edward VI lived from 1537-1553
• Mary I lived from 1516-1558
• Despite inheriting many problems , Elizabeth also brought many strengths , ruled well and brought stability back to England
• Strengths of Elizabeth

  • Elizabeth was popular and her reign was seen as a fresh start.
  • She had English parents, Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. This meant that she would be more likely to be free from overseas influences.
  • She was single so she could have her choice of suitors rather than be controlled by a foreign husband.
  • Elizabeth was a Protestant and was committed to re-establishing the Protestant Church in England. This would please some but not all.
• Problems of Elizabeth

  • Elizabeth’s sister, Mary, had left debts of £250,000.
  • Some feared a female ruler meant that England would continue to be seen as a weak country.
  • Elizabeth had been declared illegitimate following her mother’s execution and an act of parliament on 1st July 1536 along with her sister Mary. Many, including foreign powers, still saw her as the illegitimate daughter of an unlawful marriage.
  • There were worries about who Elizabeth might marry; a foreign prince could end up taking control
• Elizabeth returned to the line of succession under the Act of Succession in 1543 - many still saw her as illegitimate
• Problems of Elizabeth (Religious)

  • Elizabeth’s cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots, had a claim to the throne. Mary was a Catholic and married the heir to the French throne. They could try to invade and overthrow Elizabeth
  • Henry VIII, had broken away from the Roman Catholic Church and started his own Church of England. Edward, had started to establish a Protestant Church which was taken apart when Elizabeth’s sister, Mary, came to the throne. She restored the Pope and made England a Catholic country again. Elizabeth now had to settle the situation, to keep her people content
• Problems of Elizabeth (Religious)

  • Elizabeth’s cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, had a claim to the throne. Mary was a Catholic and married the heir to the French throne. They could try to invade and overthrow Elizabeth
  • Henry VIII, had broken away from the Roman Catholic Church and started his own Church of England. Edward, had started to establish a Protestant Church which was taken apart when Elizabeth’s sister, Mary, came to the throne. She restored the Pope and made England a Catholic country again. Elizabeth now had to settle the situation, to keep her people content