2) Problems faced by Elizabeth from 1558

Marriage & Succession

  • Elizabeth was childless and as long as she remained so, there was no obvious heir
  • When Elizabeth almost died of smallpox in 1562, parliament became very keen that she should marry in order to secure the nations future

Mary Queen of Scotts

  • Elizabeth's cousin Mary Queen of Scotts (a catholic) was exiled to England in 1568 and her status as a potential alternative, Catholic queen made her presence a threat

Religion

  • England was highly divided in its religious belief.
  • Henry VII had broken with Rome, Edward had further entrenched Protestantism, before Mary attempted to restore England to Catholicism
  • As a protestant, Elizabeth faced serious threats from Catholics but also faced pressure from Puritans with thought her brand of Protestantism was too 'soft'.

Threats from Abroad

  • Protestant England faced a serious threat from Europes two Catholic superpowers:
  • France and spain

Money

  • taxation was required to defend England from threats it faced and for the day to day running of the country
  • to raise this money would not be popular

Ireland

The Irish resented control from England and so the country was a potential hotspot for rebellion

A revolt in 1559 cost a huge amount of money to suppress but the threat persisted

Why was it difficult for Elizabeth as a female leader?

Elizabeth faced problems as a female leader as many thought a female ruler would mean England would continue to be seen as a week country.

Elizabeth faced a number of challenges as a female ruler, such as regularly being ignored by trusted advisors.

She was a young in a country where men often held the most power meaning many were unsure on how she would be as a leader.

She was seen as illegitimate because she was the second child of Henry VII. this added onto the fact that she was a female made many doubt her even more