Why was Elizabeth I vulnerable as Queen of England in 1558?

Learning objective – to be able to assess the significance of the different personal challenges Elizabeth I faced as Queen. I can describe the key features of the personal challenges faced by Elizabeth I Grade 3 I can explain the key features of the personal challenges faced by Elizabeth I. Grade 6 I can explain and assess the impact of the personal challenges faced by Elizabeth I Grade 9

Task – when you are going through the presentation complete the fingertip knowledge task by recording answers for each of the following questions. 2. How can I persuade people to think I am a legitimate monarch? How can I persuade people to support a woman as a monarch? 5. Should I get rid of Mary’s Catholic ministers? 3. Should I get married? 4. When should I name a successor?

What was Elizabeth I’s background? In 1558, Elizabeth was 25 years old and had a very tough apprenticeship to be Queen of England. Her parents, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn were divorced and Anne beheaded when Elizabeth was 2 years old. Between 1536 and 1543, Elizabeth was declared illegitimate. Elizabeth received a strict but rigorous Protestant education. Her sister Mary, Queen of England between 1553 and 1558, suspected her of involvement in Wyatt’s Rebellion. This was treasonous behaviour and Elizabeth was imprisoned for much of Mary’s reign.

How did her early life shape Elizabeth I? Elizabeth was lucky to survive a traumatic early life. It shaped her in a number of ways – Her excellent education gave her an eye for detail and an understanding of administration. Her imprisonment gave her an insight into the dark side of court politics and she found it difficult to trust anyone. Because of her lack of trust, she found it difficult to make decisions quickly. She was very good with words and was able to use this skill to make great speeches and communicate effectively.

Why did some people dispute Elizabeth I’s legitimacy? Many Catholics felt that Elizabeth was not a legitimate queen. The was down to what they saw as the invalid marriage between Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn – Elizabeth's parents. Catholics thought that Henry VIII gained his divorce from Catherine of Aragon illegally by making himself Head of the Church of England and granting it himself rather than coming from the Pope. Therefore, Elizabeth was illegitimate. This was the basis of Catholic opposition to Elizabeth throughout her reign.

Why did people see Elizabeth I’s gender as a problem? A queen in who ruled in her own right was unusual. Only once before had this happened in England – Elizabeth’s sister, Mary, was the first Queen of England. Mary was seen as an unsuccessful monarch responsible for an unpopular marriage and a failed war with France. Many people wanted a strong monarch who could lead a country into war and the Christian faith advocated that women should be under the authority of men. Therefore, many people felt that women were not mentally, physically and emotionally capable enough of being an effective monarch. Elizabeth could do nothing to change such views apart from proving to others that she could rule effectively, but that would take a long time ……

What was the succession question? Elizabeth had no close relatives, so she was expected to marry quickly and have children to secure the succession and ensure political stability. Throughout her reign, Elizabeth came under increasing pressure from Parliament to get married. Elizabeth consistently resisted this pressure. This was mainly to due to the problem of who to marry and the impact such a marriage would bring. If she married an English noblemen this could cause divisions and jealousies within her government while a foreign suitor would be problematic as most foreign noblemen were Catholic as well as many of her population would not welcome the influence a foreign suitor would bring.

What were the pros and cons for Elizabeth getting married? A potential husband could bring military leadership in war. Having children would secure the throne for the Tudors and deter any potential Catholic challengers. Cons If Elizabeth got married, would she be expected to pay obedience to her husband as tradition dictates? The most likely suitors would be foreign. Would such a suitor put his foreign interests first and not act in England’s best interests?

Elizabeth I’s marriage and succession Task Problem   Strengths Difficulties Elizabeth I’s upbringing gender legitimacy Elizabeth I’s marriage and succession Copy and complete the following knowledge organiser assessing the different personal problems Elizabeth I faced when she became Queen of England.

Plenary Complete the summary pyramid which helps you summarise the lesson content.