Elizabeth I character and aims Flashcards
Problems Elizabeth faced on accession
legitimacy, gender, debt, foreign policy (England is isolated), religious division, marriage, loss of Calais (reputation of Mary)
Characteristics of Elizabeth that helped her
significantly younger than Mary on accession (25)
Elizabeth was also better educated and had a much better grasp of politics- she had experienced much within this sphere- eg being locked in the tower of London a few times
She spoke Latin, Greek, French and Italian
she was confident and charismatic
Elizabeth’s aims as queen
restore protestantism (legititmacy)
free England of debt
develop trade and economy
protect English borders
ensure legitimacy
avoid war (needed to pursue a peaceful settlement with the French)
Style of governing
landed between Henry VII and VIII, she was less involved than Henry VII but she was determined to preserve the prerogative powers of the crown, meaning, Elizabeth insisted on taking the most important decisions
accession from Mary to Elizabeth
unchallenged, even though many of Mary’s councillors knew they would be out of the job upon Elizabeth’s accession- due to their differing religious views, there was an acceptance that Liz was the rightful heir
Mary and Phillip with the accession
Mary named Elizabeth as heir, Phillip accepted this- he sent a Spanish convoy to meet Elizabeth a month prior to Mary’s death. He was proposed to Liz following Mary’s death but she rejected this
external factors at the time of Liz’s accession
bad harvests, food is scarce and expensive
flu epedemics- highest mortality rates since the black death
delicate political and religious circumstances
failed war against France and loss of Calais
acceptance of Liz’s accession
by many of Mary’s key councillors, eg Mary’s archbishop of York and Lord Chancellor announced Mary’s death then proclaimed the accession of Liz- political elite accept this then so will public
appointment of William Cecil
Key councillor who would remain for 40 years, he had lots of experience as he had worked under both Henry VIII and Edward
Elizabeth did not announce any other political posts straight away- to keep Mary’ councillors guessing, a strategic move highlighting her political knowledge
Date of Elizabeth’s coronation
January 15th 1559, only two months after Mary’s death- quick
Tradition
In accordance to royal tradition, Elizabeth goes to the tower of London and meets with subjects before her coronation
International confirmation
through Phillip of Spain, even though Elizabeth rejected his proposal, he did not intervene showing he did not want to disrupt the accession
