The Stability of the Monarchy - Mary Flashcards
Why was it feared that female rule would weaken the monarchy?
- -> Women would be unable to control factions
- -> Woman = unable to lead army into battle
- -> Woman expected to marry, but this created further problems
1) Whom should Mary Marry?
2) All women, even Queens, should be subservient to their husbands
What example of Female Rule had England seen?
What did this result in?
What was it like in other countries?
12th Century - Matilda
Resulted in Civil War as many had refused to accept her as Queen
Perhaps why Henry was so concerned to have a son
Other Countries: excluded women through Salic Law
// What problems does a Queen raise to do with Marriage?
A) If married an Englishman, power of her husbands family would increase + they might dominate at court
B) If Mary married a foreigner, fears the countries would be dominated by foreigners
Who were Mary’s Marriage options?
Who supported them?
Who did Mary Prefer?
Why?
A) Edward Courtenay, Earl of Devon (Plantagenet blood) –> Supported by Gardiner
B) Philip of Spain –> Supported by Paget
= preferred Philip because
–> Would bring her closer to the Habsburgs, family her mother was related to
When did Mary…
A) Inform the council of her intentions to marry Philip?
B) Marriage treaty presented to the Council?
C) Marriage Treaty Approved?
A) 27th October 1553
B) 7th December
C) Jan 1554
Was there any initial opposition to Mary informing the council of her intentions to marry Philip?
Petition from the House of Commons opposing her decision but M ignored it
When was the Wyatt Rebellion?
What did it show?
Jan 1554
- Only 6 months after the defeat of Lady Jane Gray, can be used as evidence of the instability caused by female rule
Who was involved in the Wyatt Rebellion?
What does this involvement suggest about the cause of the rebellion?
Members of the political elite:
Sir James Croft, Sir Peter Carew, Sir Thomas Wyatt, Henry Grey (LJG father)
1) All of these men held office under HVIII + Edward, now feared they would lose influence and be replaced by Spaniards who would dominate both court + government
2) All protestant, wanted to see a Protestant ruler on the throne (Elizabeth)
What did the rebels plan to do?
4 pronged Rising based in
- Devon
- Leicestershire
- the Welsh Border
- Kent
Has been suggested planned to marry Elizabeth to Courtenay
Evidence the Wyatt Rebellion was serious
- Royal force under Norfolk that went to confront rebels deserted
- Got to the gates of the city
- Based in Kent, vulnerable to Catholic invasion, being only 22 miles from Burgundy
- Had an impact, marriage did not take place until 12 months after Mary came to the throne
Evidence the Wyatt Rebellion wasn’t serious
- Mary’s Guildhall Speech + refusal to leave the city were factors in its defeat - sign that female ruler was not necessarily weak
Factions under Mary - what events suggest factional struggles?
1) Marriage proposal - two of her leading courtiers supporting different suitors
2) The Spanish Marriage - fears fractional strife between English courtiers + Spanish courtiers
Despite these concerns, there is no evidence to that it had an impact on the efficiency of the administration
Evidence Mary’s Privy Council was ineffective
Mary’s Privy Council was large // ineffective
- Brought in her own supporters who had helped her gain the throne, but also kept many experienced administrators
Evidence Mary’s Privy Council was Effective
- Rare for all councillors to be present
- Average size of meetings was similar to those held under Northumberland
- 1554: Committees established which excluded casual councillors
- 1555: ‘inner council’ established
- 1555: Philips departure + the death of Gardiner in Nov allowed Paget to dominate and establish a councillor form of government
When did Gardiner and Paget clash?
1) Initially over Mary’s marriage
2) Revival of the Heresy Laws
BUT this did not effect gov efficiency + most of the time were able to put aside differences
