Problems Faced by Elizabeth

• Religion

  • Mary I established Catholicism.
  • Catholics see her her as illegitimate.
  • Liable to rebel.
  • Threat of Puritanism.
• Mary Queen of Scots

  • Elizabeth's cousin.
  • Catholic Threat to England.
  • Seen as legitimate.
• Succession

  • Government demand she marry and has a child so they have a secure heir.
  • Only other heir is MQS.
• Privy Council

  • Richest men in the country.
  • Majority Catholic from the succession.
  • Could overrule her or rebel.
• Legitimacy

  • Legitimacy questioned; mother divorced & beheaded.
  • Illegitimate to Catholics.
  • Young, Female.
  • Succession Acts.
• Ireland

  • Revolt in 1559 - spent money she didn't have.
  • Believed she was the Queen of Ireland.
• Debt

  • Substantial debt (poor) - couldn't put money into troops.
• Clergy: Group of Priests
• Reformation: Catholicism ---> Protestantism