foreign affairs Flashcards
(69 cards)
What difficulties did Elizabeth’s status as a single woman create?
Meant that the succession was at the forefront of her minister’s minds, should she die prematurely.
What did most of Elizabeth’s ministers believe should be done about the issue of succession?
That she should marry to prevent possibility of Catholic inheritance of the throne.
What did Elizabeth strongly believe about issues of marriage and succession?
That they lay in the royal prerogative and were not matters to be discussed in Parliament or the Council table.
Elizabeth’s councillors continued to ignore this point which caused repeated tension during the reign.
Who were the suitors in marriage for Elizabeth in her early reign?
- Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester
- Philip II of Spain
- Archdukes Ferdinand and Charles
- Prince Erik of Sweden
Why could Elizabeth not marry Robert Dudley?
It would have horrified William Cecil whose influence would have been seriously eroded.
The marriage would also create many political risks due to the mysterious circumstances in which Dudley’s wife had died.
Why were Philip II, and Archdukes Ferdinand and Charles not serious suiters for Elizabeth?
They were Catholic.
When did the House of Commons first raise the issue of marriage?
In January 1559, which Elizabeth deflected gracefully.
What happened when Elizabeth fell ill with smallpox in October 1562?
It seemed she might die creating a full-scale succession crisis.
What disasters could happen if the queen was to die prematurely? [3]
- Civil war
- Foreign invasion
- Religious conflict
Who were two potential successors to the Crown when Elizabeth fell ill with smallpox?
Disgraced Lady Catherine Grey and Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots.
Elizabeth refused to commit herself, luckily this did not lead to further disaster as she survived.
What did Elizabeth do when pressured in 1566 Parliament to marry?
She was furious and banished Dudley and the Earl of Pembroke from the Presence Chamber.
She summoned members of both Houses to reprimand them.
What happened in 1579 when Elizabeth was declared still able to bear a child?
There was a potential marriage to Francois, Duke of Anjou. He was the brother of King Henry III of France.
Who suggested the marriage to Duke of Anjou in 1579?
Burghley (Cecil) and Sussex.
What crisis was there surrounding the potential marriage of Elizabeth to the Duke of Anjou in 1579?
Councillors and members of the public were horrified that it could lead to an infant child under French influence as successor.
The crisis passed as nothing came of the suggested marriage.
What is the probable conclusion that Elizabeth came to regarding marriage?
That the disadvantages of marriage outweighed the advantages due to political reasons, despite this leaving no heir to the throne.
Who had the best hereditary claim to the throne once it was clear Elizabeth was not marrying?
The execution of Mary Queen of Scots meant that her son, James VI of Scotland had the best hereditary claim.
This was despite the Stuarts being excluded from succession in Henry VIII’s will.
James was also Protestant and had 2 sons by 1600.
Which 2 councillors were heavily involved with James VI of Scotland to ensure smooth succession to the English throne once Elizabeth were to pass away?
The Earl of Essex, and after his death in 1601, Sir Robert Cecil took over keeping in contact.
Who did Elizabeth accept as her successor?
She actually refused to name a successor and there was no evidence that she accepted James as her successor, but her authority had diminished quite a lot and arrangement were made anyway.
What were the key problems between Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots?
Differences in religion and the succession.
Who was Mary Queen of Scots’ first husband? Why was the marriage a disaster?
Earl of Darnley.
Mary was believed to have been involved in his murder.
How did Mary Queen of Scots set off civil war in Scotland? What was she forced to do?
She married her dead husband’s supposed murderer, the Earl of Bothwell.
She was forced to flee to England for protection in 1567.
What did the excommunication of Elizabeth mean for Catholics in England?
That in the eyes of the Catholic Church they were absolved from the need to obey their sovereign.
What did Elizabeth do to laws after her excommunication?
She tightened the treason law, where Protestants were deemed loyalists and Catholics traitors.
When was the Ridolfi plot? What was it?
In 1571.
It involved conspiracy for Mary Queen of Scots to marry the Duke of Norfolk and overthrow Elizabeth. Failed and William Cecil ensured execution of Norfolk.