Elizabeth I - Character and Aims Flashcards
What was the character of Elizabeth?
She acceded to the throne at the age of 25. She was better educated than Mary, she had a shrewder grasp of political processes and was a shrewder judge of character. She had a rumoured affair with Thomas Seymour, who had married Katherine Parr after Henry’s death.
What happened when Mary died?
Mary died 17 November 1558. Within a few hours, William Cecil had ridden the 16 miles north to Hatfield to inform Elizabeth. None of Mary’s councillors challenged the succession and Philip of Spain had signified his recognition of the succession when he sent his envoy, the Count of Feria, to see Elizabeth a month before Mary’s death
How was it a difficult succession?
England had experienced bad harvests and there was a high mortality rate from the flu epidemic. Political and religious situation was delicate from the loss of Calais and speculation of the queen’s marriage
Was her succession accepted by Mary’s councillors?
17th November - Nicholas Heath, Mary’s Lord Chancellor and Archbishop of York announced Mary’s death to parliament and proclaimed her succession. He legally had no right to do so as her death should have brought about the immediate dissolution of parliament. It showed the political elite of the nation assented to Elizabeth’s succession. Within a couples of days, 9 of Mary’s councillors rode to Hatfield to assure Elizabeth of their loyalty
Did she make early household appointments?
William Cecil appointed principle secretary and their political partnership would last almost 40 years. She did not announce any further political appointments to keep Mary’s councillors speculating about their chances of retaining royal favour.
Did she show herself to be familiar with the customs associated with newly acceded monarchs?
She took herself to the Tower from which she emerged on several occasions to show herself to new subjects
When was her coronation?
It was within two months, on the 15th January on the basis of astrological advice
What was the Act of Supremacy?
1559:
Papal supremacy was rejected
Reformation legislation of Henry VIII was restored
Heresy laws were repealed
Royal visitations of the Church were revived
She was described as Supreme governor but this could be due to sexism
Oath of supremacy was to be taken by clergymen - most Marian bishops were deprived of their posts
What was the Act of Uniformity?
1559:
Specified the use of a single Book of Common Prayer, which was a modified version of the 1552 version.
There were variations in the Eucharistic belief were possible in that both the 1549 and the 1552 wordings were permitted
The Black rubric that was included in the 1552 version was omitted
What were the royal injunctions?
1559:
First injunction made clear the Protestant character and the ‘suppression of superstition’. The Eucharist should be administered at a simple communion table rather than an alter. Pilgrimages and the use of candles were condemned as ‘works described by man’s fantasies.’
Parish churches were required to purchase an English bible as well as a copy of Erasmus’ Paraphrases
How did the royal injunctions reflect Elizabeth’s personal idiosyncrasies?
Her disapproval of clerical marriage was signalled by the fact that prospective wives of clergy had to produce a certificate signed by two JPs signifying their fitness for such a role.
What was the early French treaty?
Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis 1559
Elizabeth wanted to extract England from the French conflict and the financial state of both France and Spain meant that neither wanted to continue the fight. Treaty stated that France would retain Calais for eight years after which it would return to English control providing they kept the peace. If they failed to return Calais, they agreed to pay £125,000 to England
What happened in June 1559?
Henry II of France died and was succeeded by his son Francis, who was married to Mary, Queen of Scots. This brought a strongly Catholic Guise faction to power in France. French troops were sent to garrison major Scottish fortresses. This led to conflict with John Knox, the leader of the Scottish Reformation and his political allies, the Lords of the Congregation.
How did Elizabeth want to deal with Scotland?
She was cautious about interfering in the domestic affairs of another nation in which subjects were rebelling against sovereign authority. She loathed Knox, who had written against ‘the monstrous regiment of women’.
How did the council want to deal with Scotland?
Cecil sympathised with the Scottish Protestants and knew that England would be more secure without a French force north of the border. He sought the removal of Mary, Queen of Scots and wanted to incorporate Scotland into a wider British state. This was a minority position in the council and was even opposed by his ally Sir Nicholas Bacon.
Cecil pointed to the action of Francis and Mary in using the English royal coat of arms on their own heraldic device and threatened to resign if Elizabeth didn’t support him.
