Elizabethan England / 1558
Elizabeth in 1558: Problems
Elizabeth inherited debt, religious division, and doubts about a female ruler.
What To Remember
- Elizabeth was seen by some as illegitimate because the marriage and divorce politics around Anne Boleyn and Catherine of Aragon were disputed.
- Many people doubted whether a woman could rule alone, and some expected her to marry quickly.
- England also had debt, religious division, and threats from France, Scotland, Spain, and Mary Queen of Scots.
Legitimacy and gender
Some Catholics rejected Elizabeth because they did not accept Henry VIII's marriage to Anne Boleyn and the break with Catherine of Aragon.
Many people thought women were not suited to rule alone, so Elizabeth had to prove her authority from the start.
She also faced pressure to marry, because a husband might provide an heir but could also take power away from her.
Money, religion, and foreign threats
The Crown was in heavy debt after years of expensive war, and taxes were unpopular.
Elizabeth was Protestant, but many people in England were still Catholic, and powerful Catholic countries such as Spain and France could threaten her.
Mary Queen of Scots was another danger because some Catholics saw her as a better claim to the throne.
Revision Prompt
Which problem would have worried Elizabeth most in 1558?