Background to Elizabeth's Reign

This section provides background information to the reign of Elizabeth I. Elizabeth I, ascended to the throne in 1558, inheriting a kingdom plagued by instability. England was deeply divided along religious lines, poverty was on the rise, and foreign enemies were becoming more powerful. Elizabeth became queen after the deaths of her brother, Edward VI, and her sister, Mary I. Despite inheriting numerous challenges, she possessed several key strengths that enabled her to restore stability and establish a prosperous reign.

Elizabeth’s Strengths

• Parents: Elizabeth’s parents were Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, both of whom were English. This connection to England’s royal lineage helped protect her from foreign influence and allowed her to assert her authority as a native ruler.
• Education: Elizabeth had a challenging childhood, particularly during the reign of her Catholic half-sister, Mary I, when she was often under threat. However, this hardship sharpened her intellect. Elizabeth was exceptionally well-educated and fluent in several languages, including French, Flemish, Italian, and Spanish. She was one of the most learned women of her time, with a keen understanding of politics, diplomacy, and religion, which helped her navigate the complexities of ruling a divided kingdom.
• Popularity: Elizabeth was highly popular with many of the people in England. Her reign was widely viewed as a fresh start after the tumultuous years under her sister Mary. Her personality, intelligence, and ability to connect with her subjects played a significant role in securing her popularity.

Key Fact: A useful mnemonic to remember Elizabeth’s strengths is PEP – Parents, Education, and Popularity.

Elizabeth’s Challenges

• Gender: The fact that Elizabeth was a woman posed significant challenges. Some feared that a female monarch would weaken England’s position internationally. Both France and Spain, the most powerful nations at the time, were ruled by kings, and there were concerns that Elizabeth’s gender might be seen as a disadvantage. Additionally, her unmarried status raised questions about who she might marry, with fears that a foreign prince could potentially wield undue influence or even take control of England.
• Religion: Religious conflict was one of the most pressing issues Elizabeth faced. Her father, Henry VIII, had famously broken away from the Roman Catholic Church and established the Church of England, but her sister Mary I had restored Catholicism during her reign. Elizabeth’s challenge was to settle the religious conflict, seeking a middle ground that would allow England to maintain internal peace and avoid the religious upheaval that had plagued her predecessors. She needed to ensure the security of her throne while finding a way to keep her people content, both Catholics and Protestants.
• Invasion: Elizabeth faced the threat of invasion, particularly from Catholic powers like Spain and France. Her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots, who had a legitimate claim to the English throne, was a Catholic and married to the heir to the French throne. This alliance posed a potential threat, as France and Spain could seek to depose Elizabeth and place Mary on the throne. Elizabeth also had to contend with Mary’s supporters within England, who viewed her as the rightful queen.
• Money: Another significant issue was the financial situation left by her sister Mary. Upon her death, Mary I had left behind debts totalling £250,000, a huge sum for the time. Elizabeth was forced to find ways to restore the kingdom’s finances, as she inherited a depleted treasury and the costs of war, both domestically and abroad, loomed large.

Key Fact: A helpful way to remember Elizabeth’s main challenges is GRIM – Gender, Religion, Invasion, and Money.

In summary, Elizabeth I faced numerous challenges when she ascended to the throne, but her strengths as a ruler enabled her to overcome these difficulties. Her ability to navigate the political, religious, and social complexities of her time, coupled with her intelligence and popularity, helped her to stabilise England and lay the foundations for a long and successful reign.