Problems of Marriage Flashcards
1
Q
Why was the question of Elizabeth’s marriage urgent?
A
- E already 25 (normally would’ve been married to European prince by then)
- Discomfort at female ruler
- Male heir = guarantee succession
2
Q
What were the potential issues with a foreign marriage?
A
- England becomes satellite to E’s husband’s territories?
- English husband = upset power balance within English nobility
- Religious beliefs – Catholic or Protestant?
- Upset delicate balance achieved in E’s religious settlement?
3
Q
Why did Philip II offer to marry Elizabeth?
A
- Assumed E would marry him as he was married to M
- Wanted England to aid Spain in struggle against France
- Wanted to ensure France didn’t gain influence in England through MQS
- Wanted to ensure MQS didn’t become heir to English throne
4
Q
Why didn’t Elizabeth agree to marry Archduke Charles, or Ferdinand, or Prince Eric?
A
- F = NOT SUITABLE (Catholic, unable to compromise)
C = offer open for a decade
- Aim = ensure Habsburgs remained friendly towards English
E = (of Sweden) = Protestant heir to Swedish throne
- E and court benefitted from gifts - BUT no benefit forEuropean diplomacy = no intention of marrying
5
Q
Why didn’t Elizabeth marry Robert Dudley?
A
- Grandfather executed at beginning of H8 reign (penalty for trying to change succession in 1553 to avoid Catholic monarch)
- Dudley married to Amy Robsart, (ill) = assumed if she died, D and E to marry
- September 1560 = AR dead w/ broken neck at bottom of stairs
- Servants were sent away before = suspicious (rumours D hired killers)
