Elizabeths Problems Flashcards
(8 cards)
When did Elizabeth come to the throne
1558
What were the issues with england when she was coronated
- her legitimacy
- gender
- marriage and children
- religion
- financial weakness
- the international situation
Issues with legitimacy
her parent’s marriage had been Henry’s second marriage and had been declared illegal because the Pope had not agreed to it. Elizabeth had been excluded from the succession – she could not become monarch.
She was also born as a bastard, as her mother Anne Bolyne was not married to Henry at this point
What was the issue with gender
Christianity taught that women should be under the authority of men and monarchs were still expected to lead their armies into battle. It was expected that men would rule and that women were simply too weak and feeble minded.
Other female leaders such as Queen Matilda were almost immediately overthrown (as in 1148 when her cousin revolted against her)
Why was marriage and children an issue
It was believed that it was vital to have an heir to the throne, as this helped to create stability, as everyone knew who the next monarch would be. Elizabeth was single and childless when she became Queen
What was the issue with Religion
Henry broke with Rome in 1534 and had therefore been a Protestant country for 28 years. But when Mary 1 came to the throne in 1553 this changed. Protestants and Catholics could not reconcile their differences
What was the issue with financial weakness
When Elizabeth became Queen, the Crown was £300,000 in debt. She needed money to defend England and to defend her own position. Part of this was being able to show she was wealthy as this demonstrated strength. However, England’s monarchs could not do whatever they wanted and had to get Parliament to agree to tax increases which could be difficult.
What was the issue with the international situation
The two most powerful countries in Europe were France and Spain, both of whom were Catholic! England was at war with France 1557-1559 and the war went badly. France was allied with Scotland (a separate country to England) and the Scots could provide a base for an invasion of England.
Additionally Spain, the most powerful country felt threatened by a powerful Protestant country across the channel
