5 - the problem of gender & mary's marriage Flashcards
The Stability of the Monarchy
last female ruler of England
- Queen Matilda
- led to civil war (many supported Stephen instead)
reasons why a female ruler might weaken the monarchy
- unable to control faction
- unable to lead an army into battle
- expected to marry (even queens would be subservient to their husbands)
further problems over who Mary would marry
- Englishman -> power of his family would increase & dominate court
- foreigner -> fears of country dominated by foreigners
two candidates for Mary to marry
- Edward Courtenay, Earl of Devon (backed by Gardiner)
- Philip of Spain (backed by Paget)
Who backed Edward Courtenay?
Gardiner (Catholic faction)
Who backed Philip of Spain?
Paget (reformist faction)
Which candidate for Mary’s marriage did the Catholic faction support?
Edward Courtenay, Earl of Devon
Which candidate for Mary’s marriage did the reformist faction support?
Philip of Spain
Why was Philip of Spain Mary’s first choice?
would bring her closer to the Habsburgs, her mother’s family
Why was support for Philip of Spain so little?
could potentially drag England into foreign wars
When did Mary inform the Council of her intention to marry Philip?
27th October 1553
What was the Council’s reaction to Mary’s intentions of marrying Philip of Spain?
petition from the House of Commons (ignored by Mary)
When was Mary’s marriage treaty presented to the Council?
7th December 1553
When was Mary’s marriage treaty approved by the Council?
January 1554
When did rebellion break out in response to Mary’s marriage?
January 1554 (six months after defeat of Lady Jane Grey)
Who began plotting a rebellion as soon as there were rumours of a marriage between Mary & Philip of Spain?
- Sir James Croft
- Sir Peter Carew
- Sir Thomas Wyatt
(all held office under Henry VIII & Edward)
Why did Croft, Carew & Wyatt start plotting?
- feared they’d lose influence to and be replaced by Spaniards (who’d dominate court & government)
- all had links to reformed belief (Wyatt = Protestant)
Where was the 4-pronged rising based?
Devon, Leicester, Welsh borders, Kent (only Kent rose)
Where did the Wyatt rebellion actually rise?
Kent
What did the rebels plan to do?
marry Elizabeth to Courtenay (but he disclosed the scheme & the rebels were forced to act early)
Why was the Wyatt rebellion even more serious?
the force sent under Norfolk to try and confront the rebels ended up deserting
How far did the Wyatt rebels get?
the gates of London
How did Mary prove that a female ruler was not necessarily weak, during the Wyatt rebellion?
stayed in London & refused to retreat to safety, even when it seemed as though they’d be defeated
impact of the defeat of the Wyatt rebellion on stability
- marriage only happened 12 months after Mary came to the throne
- Philip spent more time abroad than in England (limiting influence)
