Elizabethan England: Marriage

Why should Elizabeth marry?

- To form a powerful alliance and increase England's influence abroad.

- To produce an heir to carry on the Tudor bloodline.

- To prevent MQS from ruling England.

Why shouldn't Elizabeth Marry?

- England could fall under foriegn control.

- Marrying would mean that Elizabeth could potentially lose her authority in England.

- Not marrying would allow Elizabeth to maintain her independence and continue ruling as king and queen.

- Childbirth was risky.

- Mary I's foriegn marriage had been a disaster.

Why didn't Elizabeth marry?

- She took her duty seriously and said that she was already married to her country. "I already have a husband, namely my kingdom."

- She didn't want to lose her power as queen.

- She couldn't marry Dudley (her supposed lover) because he was accused of murdering his wife to marry Elizabeth-it would confirm rumours and tarnish Elizabeths reputation.

- Marrying a foreign monarch would mean that England's needs would become second to that of the new kings country and England could potentally come completely under the control of the foreign king.

- Marrying an Englishaman could cause jealously and resentment amongst noble families and lead to instability.

- Her dysfunctional childhood led her to hate the idea of marriage and at the age of eight she declared that she would never marry.

Parliament became increasingly concerned at the lack of an heir, they saw it was their duty to find a match for Elizabeth and secure the future of England. By 1566 parliament was openly discussing potential matches.

Smallpox scare: Elizabeth nearly died in 1562 without an heir.

Age 50: Elizabeth was reaching the end of her childbearing years.

How did Elizabeth react to parliament?

- Elizabeth was furious, she saw them discussing her personal affairs as unacceptable interference and banned them from ever discussing the issue again.

The Wentworth Affair.

- A politician named Peter Wentworth ignored Elizabeth's orders and argued that parliament should be able to discuss whatever it liked.

- Realising how the queen might react, the rest of parliament had Wentworth arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London before Elizabeth blamed all of them for Wentworths opinions.

- This is one example of a clash between parliament, she believed that certain issues such as marriagewere entirely her decision and had nothing to do with parliament.

- Elizabeth's relationship with parliament remained difficult throught her reign.

- Parliment had been disscussing the issues of Elizabeth's marital status and religious grievances when they shouldn't have been.

How did Elizabeth control her parliament? 

- The force of her own personality.

- Using the Royal Veto.

- Appointing the speaker.