Queen Elizabeth: Golden Age

When Mary died in 1558, Elizabeth succeeded to the throne. One of the most important concerns during Elizabeth’s early

When going into more detail about the failed attempts at marriage between both Mary and Elizabeth it is basically repeating the same thing. Which would be that Elizabeth tried but eventually said that she did not want to forsake her virginity to anyone so she had declined any request for her hand and stated that she was married to her country. Mary though did not want to be a virgin she did have three marriages that all failed and even died because someone wasn’t happy or someone cheated on someone. According to both sources by Harmon and Warnicke, both Mary and Elizabeth had some bad encounters with some trouble when they were younger. For Elizabeth it was when Elizabeth found out how Mary had come to get her way into the throne, and Elizabeth found out that Mary was working with people that was attempting to either assassinate or kidnap Elizabeth. Elizabeth kept Mary alive for many years moving her around from prison to prison, and eventually she found out that Mary was plotting once again against Elizabeth so she ordered that Mary, be executed even though she really didn’t want to. Mary too had run into some trouble multiple times in her younger days such as she had multiple threats of abductions against her life. According to Warnicke, “noblemen viewed women rulers as naturally subordinate to them and susceptible, like minors, to their authority if

Elizabeth was a different kind of Queen: quick-witted, clever and able to use feminine wiles to get her own way. Elizabeth could be as ruthless and calculating as any king before her but at the same time she was vain, sentimental and easily

Many of her subjects disapproved of Elizabeth not having a husband to control her decisions. Elizabeth indirectly responded to this in a speech made to Parliament in 1559 (Doc. #11). She made the argument that she was already married to the Kingdom of England and she did not plan on marrying anyone else. One reason for her opposition to marriage is believed to be because of her father’s trouble that came with his multiple marriages. Henry VIII had six different wives, none of which contributed in a pleasant way to his health or reign. Elizabeth, seeing her father struggle with juggling marriage and power, most likely decided marriage was not a good option for a political figure. Another speech Elizabeth made in 1588 responded to the doubts of her strength as a queen because of her being a woman (Doc. #12). In 1588, the Spanish Armada was about to invade England, so Elizabeth’s speech was made to the troops that were about to have to fight for their country. She said, “I know I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king….” Elizabeth knew that people did not believe she could lead them through the war, so she wrote this speech to convince them of her capability of doing so. She informed them that she was ready to fight alongside them, even if they did not

However even as time went on not everyone loved Mary which shown in Document 5 which is said by the Roman Catholic Priest Edward Rishton includes “ The praises of Elizabeth are said to be sung at the end of the public prayer, as the hymn of our lady was sung in former days” This quote gives a degrading push on Elizabeth noting she not as important as the virgin mary and should not be as if she

Most of the public, especially the religious ones, thought that Elizabeth should have had a husband, and she was completely against this concept because she knows how corruptive a man can be towards a woman’s life (examples in her father and in her cousin’s relationship). Elizabeth, knowing that a man would take over and leave her behind, stayed unmarried. She believed that the only marriage she considered to be true was that of hers to England. (Document 11) When the Spanish Armada invaded England, her subjects were sure she was able to take good care of the country. In her speech to the English army, she says that they (her country and herself) will

Throughout most of Mary’s life she had a unique relationship with Elizabeth Queen of England.

While Catholics saw her as an unworthy member of society and Queen, Protestants did not see this as immoral and wrong as the Catholics. Elizabeth then obviously chose to embrace Protestantism over Catholicism. Elizabeth also managed during her reign to do what many before her on the throne had failed to do she created a stable society. While earlier eras in English history were full of bloodshed and wars between the two religions, the persecution of Catholics under Edward VI, and of Protestants under Mary I, it finally came a time of peace and tranquility. It appears to have had a moderating effect of England.

“If ever any person had either the gift or the style to win the hearts of people, it was this Queen, and if she did express the same it was at that present, in coupling mildness with majesty as she did, and in stately stooping to the meanest sort”(Elizabeth I Accession). Politically, Elizabeth I kept the the government of England stable, and protected England from invasion, most famously the Spanish Armada. Elizabeth brought people together under one protestant church, and largely the people got along and agreed with Elizabeth. She was liked by the people for her character and talent for speech making. When Elizabeth inherited the throne, England economy was in ruins, but shortly thereafter she turned the economy around, finances improved and the lives of the general public were better. Elizabeth brough Protestantism back to England and allowed to Catholics to keep their personal beliefs hidden. Many questioned Elizabeth's ability to govern because of her gender, but others support her, and she has address the people's concerns but promises them that her gender is irrelevant

When Mary was the monarch of Scotland, the Calvinist nobles deposed of her, and she fled to England for safety (Spielvogel 408). Since she was the daughter of Henry VIII’s sister, Mary held a legitimate claim to the throne after Elizabeth. In fact, many Catholics saw Henry’s second marriage to Anne Boleyn as improper, making Mary the more fitting queen for England (Sifakis 1). Seeing opportunity in this woman who “had no intention of altering her faith,” the Catholics plotted to place her on the English throne (Black 68). They took part in many failed assassination plots on Elizabeth, one of them being the Babington Plot of 1586. This nefarious plan held Mary’s controversial involvement, leading to her trial, conviction, and execution (Sifakis 2). With a resolve “to end the threats to her regime,” Elizabeth ended her cousin’s life through a beheading (Spielvogel 408). Both Elizabeth’s decision to get rid of Mary and the construction of religious compromise were Machiavellian because of her pragmatic way of thinking to ensure a successful reign.

Queen Elizabeth was born in 1533 in Greenwich. Her parents, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, were not satisfied with her birth because they could not have male heirs. Since Henry suspected his wife for committing adulteries and blamed her for not giving him a boy, he decapitated her. Although Elizabeth did not grow up with the background of a loving family, she never stopped studying, but endeavored to develop her disposition to become a monarch. She cogitated over her studies with the best scholars and experts, learning six diverse languages: English, French, Spanish, Latin, Greek, and Italian. After few years, the demise of King Henry let Mary I succeed to the throne, becoming the first queen, who was later

Mary’s intentions in giving Elizabeth were pure, but the situation soon became ruinous when Elizabeth was accused of witchcraft because of owning the

He was also Catholic, so his chance for Mary’s hand was greater than many of her other suitors (Pollen). Scotland was in shock when Mary fell in love and married Lord Darnley, and many protestants rose up in arms, with Queen Elizabeth to back them up, but Mary extinguished the rebellion and drove them from Scotland. Mary and Henry then married in 1565, but with this Darnley had changed dramatically, he had become quarrelsome, egotistical, and self centered. He was also jealous of Mary’s secretary, David Rizzio, whom Mary had confided in (Pollen). Darnley conspired with some of Mary’s advisors and together, they seized Rizzio and stabbed him right in front of her, on March 9th, 1566 inside the Palace of Holyroodhouse (Royal.uk).

The reign of Queen Elizabeth I is often referred to as "The Golden Age" of English history. Elizabeth was an immensely popular Queen, and her popularity has waned little with the passing of four hundred years. She is still one of the best-loved monarchs, and one of the most admired rulers of all time. She became a legend in her own lifetime, famed for her remarkable abilities and achievements. Yet, about Elizabeth the woman, we know very little. She is an enigma, and was an enigma to her own people.

Many suitors were available to Elizabeth, but she chose not to marry and had no interest in sharing her power with a husband. This earned her the nickname the “Virgin Queen.” She built herself up as a queen married to her people. Even though she worked hard, Elizabeth loved the arts. She enjoyed music, watching plays, and dancing. Many artists painted her portrait, and these paintings show that she loved clothing and jewelry. Elizabeth also wore makeup to help her look extremely pale. This makeup unfortunately contained white lead and vinegar, which most likely caused her health problems.