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Elizabethan England - 10/21 - Coggle Diagram
Elizabethan England - 10/21
Birth and Heritage
Elizabeth I was born to Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn (Henry's 2nd wife).
Elizabeth was a member of the Tudor dynasty; founded by Henry VII following the wars of the Roses.
Elizabeth I lived from 1533 to 1603.
Succeeded by James I in 1603
Childhood
Henry VIII was evidently disappointed with the birth of Elizabeth (a female heir)
Elizabeth's mother (Anne Boleyn) was executed in 1536 for high treason (believed to have had an affair). When Henry remarried, Elizabeth was deemed a "bastard" and "illegitimate" by the Second Succession Act in 1536.
Henry's 6th wife (Catherine Parr) acted as a maternal figure towards Elizabeth. Elizabeth only ever saw her father a few times throughout her life; she was 13 when he died.
Elizabeth spent a large portion of her childhood at Hatfield House, she received a thorough education with knowledge of language, politics, history and other subjects (it has been stated that she was fluent in 6 languages).
Rumours of a relationship between Elizabeth I and Thomas Seymour (Catherine's husband) began to circulate. Seymour was executed as a result of this and Elizabeth was investigated but later this investigation was dropped.
Following Wyatt's rebellion in 1554, Elizabeth was imprisoned in the Tower of London after suspicion arose of her involvement.
The Marriage Question
Suitors
Philip II of Spain - A renowned Catholic, was previously married to Mary I, parliament was firmly against this matching, proposal was eventually refused.
Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicestershire - Was appointed master of horse in 1558 (spent a lot of time with Elizabeth), was already married to Amy Robsart (until her death in 1560), a marriage with Dudley would not aid international relations, Dudley's possessions and titles were mainly given to him by Elizabeth herself.
Eric XIV of Sweden - Protestant, would strengthen international relations if they were to marry, marriage was negotiated between the two for many years before Elizabeth rejected the offer in 1560
Charles, Archduke of Austria - Catholic, would strengthen international relations if they were to marry, the two negotiated marriage for over a year before Elizabeth rejected the offer.
Francis, Duke of Alencon - Open to change his religious allegiance, heir to the French throne so marriage would strengthen international relations massively, the public did not wish to see a Frenchman as king however, marriage negotiations endured for a decade until Francis died in 1584.
Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex - A favourite of Elizabeth, British to international relations would not be strengthened, step-son of Robert Dudley, made a member of the Privy Council, failed to subdue a rebellion against the Queen and later attempted to lead one in 1601; he was executed on grounds of treason.
The issue of marriage was particularly urgent throughout Elizabeth's tenure as Queen as she was 25 years old when she took the position. It was hoped that she would marry and produce a male heir. As well as this, much turmoil was present amongst the public apropos her reign as it was seemed "second best" and "illegitimate" by many; it was hoped that a husband could rectify this.
Elizabeth would often equivocate and deflect the discussion of marriage within parliament, solidifying a marriage would disallow its use as a democratic tool.
Privy Council
The Privy Council was a group of powerful noblemen and members of the gentry appointed by Elizabeth; they were tasked with advising her but did not control her decisions.
The Council consisted of 19 men (later 13) who would initially meet three times a week (would later meet every day as the Council's influence grew).
The advised on domestic, financial and foreign issues. They would also discuss supervision of the Religious Settlement and affairs regarding warfare.
William Cecil - Appointed Secretary of the State in 1558, guided Elizabeth wisely for 40 years and essentially acted as a father figure to her.
Robert Dudley - Trusted advisor until his death in 1588, a rumoured lover of Elizabeth I, puritan.
Sir Francis Walsingham - In charge of Elizabeth's spy network, uncovered the plot lead by Mary Queen of Scots in 1586, puritan.
Parliament
Elizabeth's relationship with parliament was a troubled one, she believed that parliament stymied her rule and decision making process; she had complete control over the parliament however and exercised this often.
Ways in which Elizabeth controlled parliament:
Parliament could only meet is Elizabeth wished for this to be so.
Parliament could only discuss issues that the Queen approved and she could veto any discussion she liked.
She often used parliament to grant her taxes (a major source of her income).
Privy Council member would attend parliament to help control proceedings (they were - of course - loyal to Elizabeth).
Parliament only met 13 times throughout Elizabeth's reign.
As Elizabeth's reign progressed, MPs began to become more assertive and open to challenge issues. MPs believed that Elizabeth should marry in order to secure a successor but Elizabeth stated that she would marry when and if it were convenient.
MP Peter Wentworth was imprisoned by Elizabeth in 1576 after complaining that MPs were not free to discuss any issue they liked.
Patronage and Progresses