Elizabeth

• Her gender made her vulnerable to criticism from men who felt she wasn't fit to rule
• queen in 1558-Elizabeth was the first female monarch since Mary I and people did not trust her authority due to the disastrous reign of her half-sister
• Catholics also saw her as an illegitimate queen because Henry VIII married Anne Boleyn without getting a divorce from Catherine of Aragon
• She had no legitimate heir, so there were fears that England would be plunged into another civil war over succession when she died
• 1559: Act of supremacy - Elizabeth declared supreme governor of the Church of England:

  • repealed papal supremacy
  • reinstated Henry viii's legislation
  • demanded oath of loyalty
  • imprisoned catholic lords who refused
• 1559- Act of uniformity:

  • attend church or pay 12p fine
  • 1559 prayer book with vague mention of Eucharist
• 1601: delivered golden speech in parliament:

  • reminded them her rights as a ruler
  • Many MPs cried
• call parliament 13 times, it was summoned and dissolved at the monarch's will
• 1571 and 1593: Elizabeth intervened to prevent discussions of her marriage.

  • Presbyterian MPs arrested
  • respecting her prerogative rights
• 1593: Wentworth brothers demanded freedom of speech in parliament:

  peter was imprisoned twice.
• Elizabeth had the power to veto bills:

  • 1571 Communion bill: harsher penalties on catholics
• Issues of succession caused in parliament: Elizabeth showed authority

  • "i am your anointed queen"
  • "i will never, by violence be constrained to do anything".