Elizabeth and marriage! Flashcards
what were some factors for marriage?
-could create an alliance with a foreign country or guarantee the loyalty of a powerful English family
-produce an heir to continue the tudor line and stop MQS from becoming Queen when Liz died
-reduce the risk of invasion
-could use marriage to her advantage when dealing with foreign leaders and important figures in England.
what were some factors against marriage?
-loss of authority- by marrying she would lose her independence as a ruler
-giving birth was risky as death was a possibility
-she had a bad experience witnessing her father’s 6 marriages and ordering her mother to be executed. her sister’s marriage to Philip of Spain was also unhappy and she did not produce an heir.
who were the three potential suitors for Liz?
-King philip of Spain
-Francis, duke of alencon
-robert dudley
who was francis duke of Alecon?
the french king’s brother and heir to his throne
why was francis duke of alecon not a good suitor for Liz?
-By the time the marriage was proposed, Liz was 46 and probably beyond having children which could result in England falling under french control
-he was catholic and many important figures in liz’s court were against the marriage
why was King Philip of spain?
one of the wealthiest and most powerful men in the world.
who was King philip of Spain previously married to?
Liz’s sister Queen Mary I, but he rarely visited England and the marriage didn’t produce an heir.
was King philip of spain catholic or protestant?
Catholic
who was Robert dudley?
a childhood friend of Liz and a favourite of hers throughout her reign. many assumed they were in love
-he was also a key figure in the royal court and a member of the privy council
what happened when Robert Dudlet’s wife died?
he became free to marry Liz but the scandal surrounding her death (and rumours of his involvement) meant this was almost impossible.
why did Liz never get married in the end?
unknown- but she said she was married to the ‘kingdom of England’ and that remaining single allowed her to focus on totally ruling her country and keep England secure and independant
