ELIZABETH I SUCCESSION Flashcards
WHO were the contenders for Elizabeth’s potential husband?
- Robert Dudley, future Earl of Leicester
- Philip II of Spain
- Archdukes Ferdinand and Charles
- Prince Erik of Sweden
WHAT were the pros/cons of Elizabeth marrying Robert Dudley?
PROS:
- Elizabeth’s preferred choice
- Protestant
CONS:
- Cecil disapproved as it would lessen his pwoer
- He was English, which could cause factional rivalries
- Scandal as Dudley’s past wife died in mysterious circumstances (possibly murder)
WHAT were the pros/cons of Elizabeth marrying Philip II of Spain?
PROS: there would be a strong alliance with Spain as a result
CONS: he was very Catholic, and his offer had no serious intent (purely a polite gesture)
WHAT were the pros/cons of Elizabeth marrying Archdukes Ferdinand or Charles?
PROS: strong alliance with the Holy Roman Empire
CONS: both strongly Catholic
WHAT were the pros/cons of Elizabeth marrying Prince Erik of Sweden?
PROS: he was Protestant
CONS: Elizabeth showed no enthusiasm, and the alliance would be weak, as Sweden lacked power
WHY was succession such an issue for Elizabeth?
She was Protestant and needed to prevent a Catholic from taking the Crown after her (e.g. Mary Queen of Scots). As an unmarried woman, her government saw succession as a key issue throughout her reign.
WHAT happened in 1562 which caused a crisis over succession?
- Elizabeth became ill with smallpox and it seemed she might die.
- Her councillors panicked, worried that Elizabeth’s death would cause civil war, foreign invasion and religious strife
- Her councillors couldn’t decide on who would succeed Elizabeth
HOW was succession eventually decided for Elizabeth?
- Elizabeth made the political decision not to marry, but also refused to name a successor, even on her deathbed
- Due to her waning authority, it was decided by her councillors that James VI of Scotland would succeed her
- James’ succession took place fairly peacefully
WHAT are 4 reasons why Mary Queen of Scots was such a threat to Elizabeth?
- She was next in line to the throne (all other options had died)
- She was Catholic, and had support from the Pope
- She had strong alliances with Spain (both Catholic) and France (the auld alliance and her marriage)
- She was the centre of a lot of plots against Elizabeth
WHY was Mary Queen of Scots less of a threat to Elizabeth?
- For almost 20 years, she was imprisoned in England
- After the war with Spain began, Mary’s alliance with Spain had little consequence as England was already fighting with them
WHY was Mary Queen of Scot’s marriage to Francis II so dangerous?
- Cemented the auld alliance between France and Scotland, with Francis and Mary now joint monarchs of Scotland and France
- Francis and Mary began to use the English heraldic symbols within their own Coat of Arms, stating Mary’s claim to the English throne
WHY was Mary Queen of Scot’s second marriage to the Earl of Darnley also dangerous?
- Darnley also had royal blood, meaning that they had a double claim to the throne
- Darnley was also Catholic
HOWEVER, the marriage was a disaster, and Mary was ultimately implicated in Darnley’s murder
WHO were Mary Queen of Scots’ prominent husbands?
- Francis II of France
- The Earl of Darnley
WHAT did the Pope do to complicate Elizabeth’s position?
- 1570: the Pope excommunicated Elizabeth. Meant that her Catholic subjects didn’t have to obey her
- 1580: the Pope stated that anyone who assassinated Elizabeth with ‘pious intention’ does not sin, and in fact ‘gains merit’
WHEN was the Ridolfi Plot?
1571
