Elizabeth and Her Court

3.1 ELIZABETH I AND HER COURT - background of Liz, court life, key ministers

Elizabeth was seen as

Powerful

Successful

Rich

Popular

She was the second daughter to Henry VIII and very strong-minded, much like her father. She was 7 September in 1533 and grew up in difficult circumstances. When only two years old, her mother Anne Boleyn was beheaded on charges of adultery. Soon after, Elizabeth and her older sister Mary were declared illegitimate and unable to claim the throne. Elizabeth was tutored by the top tutors such as Grindal and Ascham, and excelled in music and languages. Although her father claimed to be a Catholic, Elizabeth was raised protestant, much to Mary’s dislike. Not long before her father’s death, he took away his daughters’ illegitimate status, allowing them to take the throne, once their young brother, Edward, had died.

Elizabeth took the throne in 1558 at age 25. Unfortunately she had many problems to face.

Government - The crown’s income had been increased by Mary, which left the country in debt.

Economy - Prices rose very vast. This lead to high rent and low wages.

Cultural Development - more people were travelling due to à new interest in other parts of the world.

Relations with other countries - England was weak compared to others and didn’t have a good relationship with Catholic countries, France and Spain.

Religion - the country was divided by religion, which could have lead to à civil war.

New queen - Although she was young and popular, many were still against female rulers and they thought they were weaker than males.

PRIVY COUNCILLORS

Sir William…