Theme 1: Monarchy and Government - Succession

• Mary: accepted full regalia of male monarch and assumed sacral role in coronation. Showed office of crowned monarch not limited by gender
• 2 bodies: Physical and royal: body politic. Only a man could inhibit both. Body politic passed onto next monarch on monarch's death
• Female ruler a risk - primogeniture. Sons guarantee safety of dynasty
• Feared female ruler would be dominated by husband
  • The Act Concerning the Regal Power passed 1554 - female monarchs held power 'fully, wholly and absolutely'

• Could declare royal child a ******* by proclamation and act of parl
• Monarch had to be born from wedlock or monarch and consort
  • Henry Fitzroy 1519 - son of Elizabeth Blount and Henry so illegitimate
  • Made Earl of Richmond and Somerset and given imp roles

• Not a main factor - issue in terms of historians see the Tudors
• More serious after break with Rome.
  • Edward changed law to give throne to Protestant Jane Grey
  • Mary tried to bar Elizabeth

• Edward's reign dominated by factions - in place before Henry's death due to religious changes
• Minority to be avoided if possible (Richard II and Henry VI)

Succession:

• Mary until 1534, Elizabeth until 1537
• Edward - Mary - Elizabeth: Third Succession Act 1543 
• Henry's will recognised 1543 Act and created regency councils for Edward
• Smooth - changed with Henry's marriages - he did illegitimise Mary and Elizabeth. Parliament used to change laws as needed

Succession:

• Legally Mary as per 1543. 
• Bastardised Mary and Elizabeth - left throne to Jane Grey's male heirs and then to Jane herself.
• How smooth?: smooth despite coup attempt. 'My devise for the succession' never approved by parl. Jane Grey ruled for 9 days until coup defeated. Jane was executed as well as Northumberland. 

Succession

• Elizabeth as per 1543 - failed to remover her from the line. Did not produce an heir

How smooth?

• Unsuccessful attempt to remove Elizabeth - blocked by parl. Smooth transition Nov 1558

Succession:

• Mary Queen of Scots - executed for treason 1587

How smooth?

• Did not allow parl to discuss the issue (Peter Wentworth imprisoned). Councillors favoured James VI of Scotland. Smooth transition 1603