elizabeth and marriage & succession

Question 1

why did parliament & elizabeth clash over it?

Answer 1

• many in parliament saw it as their duty to find elizabeth suitable husband
• by 1566 began to discuss issue openly
• elizabeth banned them from talking about it again, angry - saw marriage as decision for her alone

Question 2

why was marriage so important?

Answer 2

• women considered weak, not suited to reign, not able to lead armies into battle (kings could)
• marriage more political deals between families/nations
• elizabeth 25, old to be unmarried, everyone thought was priority
• marry englishman: gain support of important family; foreign prince: join 2 royal families & their son would rule them both

Question 3

what were 3 pros for elizabeth to marry?

Answer 3

• prevented mary queen of scots (catholic & elizabeths cousin) from ruling england after her death
• foreign marriage would’ve made powerful alliance for england to secure position
• provides an heir to throne to carry on tudor line

Question 4

what were some cons for elizabeth to marry?

Answer 4

• giving birth high risk, often death of mother or child
• most of suitable candidates catholic, elizabeth protestant
• mary I’s marriage to phillip II of spain caused wyatt’s rebellion 1554 - many english people didn’t want foreign king
• fathers marriages worked out badly