problems and strenghts of elizabeth

Question 1

List six problems that weakened Elizabeth’s power as a queen upon her accession in 1558:

Answer 1

1. ) Elizabeth was young (21). This meant she lacked experience and appeared naïve.
2. ) Elizabeth’s government needed money- this meant she appeared vulnerable if a war was to break out.
3. ) Elizabeth’s legitimacy was in doubt- as a monarch had to be legitimate, this angered the English monarch.
4. ) Elizabeth was Protestant- the majority of England was Catholic, and so was her predecessor.
5. ) Catholics refused to acknowledge Elizabeth’s right to rule- this put Elizabeth at risk to uprisings and plots.
6. ) Elizabeth was unmarried- it was unusual for a queen to be unmarried, because Christians believed women followed the authority of men. Many people approved the idea of a ruling queen (queen regnant).

Question 2

Explain why Elizabeth was illegitimate:

Answer 2

Elizabeth’s legitimacy was in doubt because Elizabeth’s father was divorced before he married her mother. The divorce had been refused recognition by the pope. When Elizabeth’s mum Anne Boleyn was executed in 1536, Henry VIII excluded Elizabeth from the succession, but reversed this decision before his death.

Question 3

What’s one reason why Elizabeth wouldn’t marry?

Answer 3

Marrying would reduce Elizabeth’s power and she would no longer be a regnant queen. Her husband would be expected to govern the country and deal with parliament.

Question 4

Who was Elizabeth’s Secretary of State? Why was he so important to Elizabeth?

Answer 4

Sir William Cecil was Elizabeth’s Secretary of State. His role was particularly important for Elizabeth because she was young and inexperienced, so needed the support from her Privy Council an Sir William Cecil.

Question 5

What were the issues surrounding Elizabeth’s marriage, or lack of? (4 points)

Answer 5

1. ) If Elizabeth married a Protestant, this would greatly anger English and foreign Catholics.
2. ) If she married a Catholic, this would greatly anger Protestants.
3. ) Marriage could lead to wars which would be expensive. The Crown already had a £300,000 debt
4. ) Elizabeth needed to produce an heir, or else when she died the throne would be vacant, increasing the chance of a civil war.

Question 6

Give five of Elizabeth’s strengths:

Answer 6

1. ) Elizabeth was confident and charismatic , allowing her to win over her subjects and command in parliament.
2. ) Elizabeth was resilient, she had spent time in prison accused of treason. She would be able to cope with the pressures of the crown.
3. ) Elizabeth was well educated and spoke Greek, Latin and French, meaning she could communicate with leaders in their own language.
4. ) Elizabeth had a great understanding of politics, and understood the ambitions of her subjects. She could therefore use her powers of patronage effectively.
5. ) The number of Protestants in England was increasing as they escaped persecution in Europe.

Question 7

What was Elizabeth’s argument for not needing to marry?

Answer 7

Elizabeth liked to demonstrate she was no ordinary woman, and used her strengths to reinvent herself as a different type of monarch. She therefore argued that she didn’t need to marry and could govern England on her own.

Question 8

How did Elizabeth portray herself?

Answer 8

Elizabeth liked to portray herself as a strong, legitimate popular monarch, as well as a “Virgin Queen”, married to her country, not a man. This reflected her confidence and femininity as a rightfully crowned queen.

Question 9

Define charismatic leader:

Answer 9

A charismatic leader is somebody who possesses great personal appeal and can use this to win people over.

Question 10

Define legitimate ruler:

Answer 10

A legitimate ruler is somebody who is legally and morally entitled to rule.

Question 11

Define divine right:

Answer 11

Divine right is the idea that God alone appoints the monarchs, meaning that challenging the monarch is going against God’s wishes.

Question 12

Define Protestants:

Answer 12

Protestants are those who no longer accepted the authority of the pope and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. During the 1517 Reformation, Protestants broke away from the Roman Catholic Church, resulting in religious wars in France and Germany.