Elizabeth Accession Flashcards
When did Elizabeth ascend the throne?
November 1558
Why was rebellion expected when Elizabeth came to the throne?
Herry VIII had declared her illegitimate and the stigma around this had not yet been completely removed even following the reversal of this decision in 1543
The experience of Mary’s reign may have reinforced the belief that women were unfit to rule (unable to control men and keep order)
Country was largely Catholic and Elizabeth was openly Protestant
Elizabeth had never been taught the skills needed to run a country
Why was the nation inclined to accept Elizabeth as queen?
Loyalty to the Tudor dynasty - was still daughter of Henry VIII
Many wanted stability after the tumultuous mid-Tudor crisis, and Elizabeth, as the legal claimant to the throne, was the best way of achieving this
Many welcomed Elizabeth after the rocky final years of Mary’s reign (religious persecution, war with France, loss of Calais)
How did Elizabeth herself ensure she was uncontested in her accession?
Developed many qualities needed to rule whilst surviving during Mary’s reign - intelligent, charming, cunning, and acted and behaved like a queen who expected obedience.
Coronation was performed quickly to make it clear there was no doubt about her accession. Was turned into a spectacle, designed to create an image of splendour and power.
How did Elizabeth’s choice of council bring her stability?
Removed many Marian councillors but kept those who wielded enormous power eg. Earls of Arundel, Pembroke, Derby, and Shrewsbury
Appointed William Cecil as her chief adviser, who:
- Secured the success of the Scottish Reformation
- Expelled French troops from Scotland
- Seized Spanish treasure ships sheltering in ports along the coast of Devon and Cornwall
- Created a propaganda system which ensured public acceptance of Elizabeth’s political regime and Religious Settlement
- Managed business in HoC, HoL, and the Privy Council
- Cut government expenditure, ensuring England was able to meet the costs of war from the 1580s onwards
How did Elizabeth’s treatment of opponents help ensure smooth accession?
Quick to arrest or disarm potential opponents
eg. Bishop White of Winchester, who had used Mary’s funeral to warn his audience of the dangers of heresy under Elizabeth, was arrested
How did Elizabeth’s religious policy help prevent disorder?
Acts of Uniformity and Supremacy were carefully worded to give hope to all her subjects.
The Supremacy Act did not make her Head of the church, allowing Catholics the opportunity to accept her title as they believed that the pope was the head of the church on earth
Catholics were not seriously persecuted, therefore had little reason to revolt
