History - Elizabethan England

• Coming to the Throne

  • Mother = Anne Boleyn, executed for treason on order of her father.
  • Father = King Henry VIII, created church of England in order to divorce Catherine of Arogen to marry Elizabeth's mother meaning Elizabeth was protestant.
  • Siblings = Mary (older, catholic), Edward (younger, protestant).
  • Became queen at 25 in 1558.
  • Although being queen gave her power, she could not do as she pleased.
• Problems Elizabeth Faced

  • Gender = being a female ruler in a time when women did not hold position of authority.
  • Succession = no heir to continue Tudor dynasty.
  • Taxation = country was short of money so Elizabeth needed to raise taxes even though poverty was wide spread.
  • Religion = religious tension, many Catholics did not like Elizabeth.
  • Mary Queen of Scots = Catholics wanted Mary on the throne instead.
• Elizabeth's Government

  Privy council:

  • Led by secutary of state.
  • Almost impossible for Elizabeth to go against them.
  • Responsible for day to day running of country.
  • William Cecil + Francis Walsingham = both served as secutary of state.

  Parliament:

  • Made up house of lords + commans.
  • Responsible for passing laws.
  • Queen had control over parliament.

  Lord Lieutenants:

  • Appointed by Queen.
  • Responsible for running a certain part of the country.
• Potential Suiters

  King Phillip II of Spain:

  • One of the most wealthiest and powerful men in the country.
  • Had been married to Elizabeth's sister.
  • He was Catholic.

  Robert Dudley, Earl of Leister:

  • A childhood friend and favourite of the Queens.
  • A key figure of the royal court and member of the privy council.
  • His wife was found dead at the bottom of the stairs, this left him free to marry Elizabeth but the scandal surrounding her death left it near impossible.
• Mary Queen of Scots

  • Elizabeth's cousin.
  • A Catholic.
  • Became Queen of Scotland at only 8 days old.
  • Married to the French throne.
  • Was heir to the throne of England due to Elizabeth having no children.
  • Fled to England after being accused of the murder of her second husband.
• Religious Settlement

  • Although Elizabeth was protestant, she saw the tension between Catholics and protestants and knew that a compromise would bring peace and stability.

  She made it so that:

  • Priests could marry.
  • Services were all in English and followed the protestant book of common prayer.
  • She declared herself 'governor' rather than 'head' of the church.
  • Catholics could worship in their own way in private.