The Triumph of Elizabeth, 1563–1603: Foreign Affairs - Issues of Succession

Question 1

Outline the main events in securing Elizabeth’s succession

Answer 1

• 1558
- Spanish ambassador, Count of Feria, attempts to negotiate a marriage alliance

• 1559
- Philip II offers hand in marriage, gesture
- House of Commons first raises issue of marriage, Elizabeth deflects gracefully

• September 1560
- Amy Robsart dies under mysterious circumstances

• October 1562
- Elizabeth catches smallpox and almost dies

• 1566
- Parliament pressurises Elizabeth to marry
- Some MPs prompted by Privy Councillors e.g Cecil and Leicester
- Elizabeth furious, banishes Leicester and Earl of Pembroke from Presence Chamber
- Shouts at both Houses of Parliament

• 1579
- Burghley and Sussex suggest marriage with Duke of Anjou
- Some councillors shocked at possibility of infant child under French influence
- Nothing came of suggestion, crisis passed

• By 1600
- James VI had 2 sons

• Robert Cecil names James VI successor

• 24 March 1603
- Elizabeth dies

Question 2

Why was succession an issue for Elizabeth and her ministers?

Answer 2

• Elizabeth was unmarried
• The Crown could go to a Catholic monarch

Question 3

How did Elizabeth feel about Parliament and her councillors’ opinions on marriage and succession?

Answer 3

• Elizabeth believed that marriage and succession were issues that lay within royal prerogative

Question 4

Who were possible suitors for Elizabeth?

Answer 4

• Robert Dudley
• Philip II of Spain
• Archdukes Ferdinand and Charles
• Prince Erik of Sweden

Question 5

Was Robert Dudley a good suitor?

Answer 5

• Believed to be Elizabeth’s love
• His possible marriage to Elizabeth horrified William Cecil, as his influence would have been eroded
• Political risks after mysterious death of Dudley’s first wife, Amy Robsart, in September 1560

Question 6

When did Spanish ambassador, Count of Feria, start marriage negotiations with Elizabeth?

Answer 6

• 1558

Question 7

When did Philip II offer his hand in marriage to Elizabeth?

Answer 7

• 1559

Question 8

When did the House of Commons first raise the issue of marriage?

Answer 8

• January 1559

Question 9

When did Amy Robsart die?

Answer 9

• September 1560

Question 10

When did Elizabeth contract smallpox?

Answer 10

• October 1562

Question 11

When did Parliament press Elizabeth to marry for the second time?

Answer 11

• 1566

Question 12

When did Burghley and Sussex suggest Elizabeth marry Francis, Duke of Anjou?

Answer 12

• 1579

Question 13

When did Elizabeth die?

Answer 13

• 24 March 1603