The problem of gender and Mary's marriage

Question 1

Had England been led by a female ruler before and if so what did it lead to

Answer 1

Yes once and it led to a civil war as many refused to accept her as Queen

Question 2

List 2 reasons why it was feared a female ruler would weaken the monarchy

Answer 2

• A woman would be unable to control faction
• A woman would be unable to lead an army into battle
• A woman was expected to marry which created further problems of who as the 16th century view was women should be subservient to husbands

Question 3

What were the problems if Mary married an Englishman and what were the problems if she married a foreigner

Answer 3

Englishman = the power of her husband’s family would increase and might dominate the court
Foreigner = fears the country would be dominated by foreigners

Question 4

Give 2 advantages of Mary’s marriage to Phillip of Spain

Answer 4

• He was a powerful ruler who could protect Mary
• Would bring England closer to the Habsburgs
• Queen would still have total control of all offices, lands and revenues and grant them to natural born Englishmen
• If she married an Englishman t would increase his family’s power and they could dominate the court

Question 5

Give 2 disadvantages of Mary’s marriage to Phillip of Spain

Answer 5

• She would be expected to be subservient meaning he could drag England into wars which wouldn’t benefit the nation
• Rebellion still broke out (1554 Wyatt rebellion)
• Concern the marriage would drag England into Habsburg wars
• Members of the political elite began to plot against her