The early rule of Queen Elizabeth I

• When did Elizabeth I come to power?

  1558
• Strengths of Elizabeth I?

  • Popularity
  • English parents
  • She was single
  • She was Protestant
• Weaknessed of Elizabeth?

  • Big debts
  • She was female
  • She was illegitimate
  • Threats from Catholics
  • Religious conflict
• What does it mean by a illegitimate child?

  Child born to parents who are not married
• The Privy Council

  • Were a group of 19 nobel men Elizabeth appointed herself
  • They met everyday, they were the most powerful part of the government
  • They advised Elizabeh on domestic (local) and foreign issues, like the Religious Settlement
• Who was Elizabth's main advisors?

  • William Cecil - appointed the senior member of the Privy Council. Most important minister, recived the title of Lord Burghley
  • Robert Dudley - Earl of Leicester, he and Eizabeth were very close. There was rumors that Elizabeth and him were lovers.
  • Sir Francis Walsingham - was in charge of Elizabeths's secret service and advised on foreign affairs. He uncovered the plot that led to Mary, Queen of Scots' exeution.
• Elizabeth's character

  • Well-educated and intelligent
  • Highly literate, spoke foreign languages, this meant she was able to deal directly with foreign ambassadors
  • Married to 'her people'
  • Dominant monarch, was always willing to assert her powers. She said, 'I will have one mistress and no master'
  • Skilful propagandist, understood the need to create the right image. Was partly responsible for creating a 'Golden age' and the 'Cult of Gloriana'
  • Loyal, to those who served her well she was extremely generous. This was very different from her father, Henry VIII's attitude
• Advantages of Elizabeth not marrying

  • Meant that Elizabeth could keep sole control of English affairs, government and religion
  • Elizabeth had a range of suitors (offers of marriage) from differnent countries.
  • Her refusal to choose between them allowed her to keep her options open in foreign affairs.
  • She remained the focus of all power since there was no apparent successor.
• Disadvantage of Elizabeth not marrying

  • There was an uncertainty over who would inherit the throne
  • This uncertainty had the potential to lead to plots and attacks to overthrow Elizabeth
  • The Privy Councillors and MPs were fustrated becaue the succession wasn't sttld and they felt this made the country vunerable
• Robert Dudley

  An ambitious suitor of Elizabeth I, but he was already married. When his wife died there was a scandal and rumours, which led Elizabeth to withdraw from Dudley as her reputation and position as queen were threatened.
• King Philip of Spain

  In 1559, King Philip proposed to Elizabeth. He was a Catholic who had been married to her sister (Mary). MPs were not in favour of this alliance for fear of causing religious unsettlement and creating a foreign influence in government.
• Archduke Charles

  Elizabeth considered marrying the Archduke Charles (Austria) in 1567. He was Catholic so it was the same reasons as King Philip of Spain.
• Francis Duke of Alencon

  Negotiations of marriage went on for over a decade. He was heir to the French throne. There were many political advantages to be gained from this alliance. Unfortunately, Francis died in 1584 and after that Elizabeth was destined to be alone.
• The 'Virgin Queen'

  Elizabeth emphasised her “Virgin Queen” image portraying herself as a monarch who put the stability and security of England before her personal happiness. She would not marry anyone who might jeopardise England’s position.