Character and Aims

Question 1

What is some background on Elizabeth?

Answer 1

• E acceded throne aged 25 - much younger than M and very different in character and experience
• Better educated
• Shrewder grasp of political processes
• Shrewder grasp of character
• Learned from political and personal experiences

Question 2

How did E show the development of her political skills?

Answer 2

1. Dismissal of Thomas Seymour (executed) - ‘much wit, little judgement’ shows she learned from the temporary disgrace of their relationship
2. Clear head - under interrogation (Wyatt’s rebellion) - marking a letter to M with diagonal lines so nothing could be added = remarkable, aged 20

Question 3

Why did E clearly believe she was entitled to rule the kingdom directly?

Answer 3

• From the start = clear who was in charge
• Dec 1558 Sp ambassador Count of Feria -> Eliz more feared than her sister - gave orders ‘as absolutely as her father did’ Eliz also invoked H8 memory in Parli 1559

Question 4

What was E’s involvement in govt like?

Answer 4

• Not like H7 - no desire to be involved in details of govt. BUT did take an interest in decision making process
• Was determined to preserve prerogative powers of the crown -> she would make most imp decisions

Question 5

What were E’s short term aims?

Answer 5

• Consolidate her position
• Settle religious issues
• Peace with Fr

Question 6

How did the crown pass from Mary?

Answer 6

• Mary died 17th Nov 1558 -> Cecil rides to Hatfield to tell E = Q
• Mary’s councillors knew their political careers were over - did not share E religion but accepted her lawful succession define by H8
• Mary had recognised E as her successor and Philip of Sp recognised her right to be Q by sending an envoy to see E a month before M died.

Question 7

In what ways was E’s succession a difficult one?

Answer 7

1. Bad harvests - food = scarce and expensive
2. Flu epidemic - highest mortality rate since Black Death
3. Political and religious situations - delicate
4. War - disastrous war with Fr, lost Calais
5. Queen’s marriage - subject of endless speculation
6. Religion - there would be changes to the RC faith of Mary

Question 8

What were the key features of E’s consolidation of power?

Answer 8

1. Acceptance of her succession by Mary’s councillors:
   - 17th Nov Nicholas Heath (Lord Chancellor and ABYork) announced M’s death in Parli and proclaimed E succession. Actually not legal as Parli should have dissolved but = imp as it showed political elite assented (agreed)
   - Within 2 days 9 of M councillors -> Hatfield to declare loyalty to E
2. Cecil -> principal secretary:
   - Political partnership would last 40 yrs
   - Other appointments made to household but no others announced. This was politically astute to keep M’s councillors guessing
3. Followed customs associated with new monarchs:
   - Went to tower from where she emerged on several occasions to show herself to her subjects and to benefit from pageants organised for her.
4. Crowned quickly:
   - Within 2 months - 15th Jan coronation
5. International confirmation:
   - Already visited by Sp Ambassador in an attempt to arrange marriage - not successful BUT did show Phil did not aim to disrupt the succession