Dear Elizabeth - creative writing.

Dear Elizabeth,

I am here to advise you, and to help you during your reign. I am writing to tell you of what to expect on becoming the Queen of England. On coming to the throne many will be worried, due to tha fact you are a woman- another female coming to the throne just as in the past, and these were not successful reigns. You can see their worries. However most of the people are ready for a fresh start with a young, single woman with the purest of English blood. You have the support of many of the country and have the ability of becoming a very successful Queen during your reign. However there are some problems facing you when you come to the throne, but you have personal qualities and aptitudes which will be useful to help solve these problems.

Firstly, as you know there was a war with France, and this had been an expensive war, with debts of about £250,00 which you will have to pay out with your own money. Along with this debt to pay, you are expected to cover the costs of governing this country, also with your own money. Our country does not have enough money to pay for a full time army. Although Mary strengthened the navy in order to protect the coast, the army has not benefited with this treatment. You do not want another war like the one with France, and to do this the army must be made stronger, by making it full time. You will have the help of your advisors on helping you solve these inconveniences, but u must allow them to help and you must not take full responsibility but listen to the guidance provided.

The country had been Roman Catholic for nearly 1000 years, up until your father’s reign, and since that time the Church has changed three times in the 20 years. There is now a mixture of Catholics and Protestants and they all have very dissimilar ideas about the sort of Church that our country should be. In the time of Mary’s reign she made the country Roman Catholic and many Protestants fled, but more are returning. With the religious diversity through the country there is a risk that it could lead the country towards a civil war. ...

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There have been several bad harvests, and many people have been thrown out of work. The most important industry in this country was making woollen clothes and many merchants sold these abroad and became wealthy, but this employment became warped and many failed to keep their jobs. With the prices continually rising and poverty growing lower classes such as farmer’s are faced with higher rent values, and wages losing their significance. On the subject of wealth, the most powerful subjects are the men, and they consider women to be too weak and feeble to rule a country. You will need to prove them wrong!

England is a weak country compared to the more powerful countries in Europe, such as France and Spain . France and England are already enemy’s, and England does not need an another war like the one previous. Your cousin, Mary Queen of Scots claims that she is allegedly the true Queen of our country, being married to the heir of the French throne makes her more of a threat, and already many Catholics here in England support her, due to religion. On the other hand is Spain- the most powerful country in the entirety of Europe. King Phillip of Spain, as you are on familiar terms with, being he was married to you sister. If England was one more to turn Protestant it is very possible that that he may persuade various Catholic countries to attack. With England being much weaker we stand no chance of defeating them.

You are known to have great understanding, courtesy and dignity, something that is valued in all those who reign over us. Many fear that you as a female queen will not suffice, but it is said that your mind is “free from female weakness and blessed with masculine power for hard work.” With the power of masculinity in you, you can prove to be very successful and hard working, to help England to be free of the various problems both we and you are faced with. Your beauty is extraordinary, but your intellect and understanding is auxiliary. Many have put their trust in you; in hope you are the answer to their prayer, to help make their lives once again well and better than in the rule of your unpopular sister.

The people of England are ready for new reign, and though female rulers have not in the past been the best of rulers, you have to prove that you are unlike them and can help to rid of the problems facing England. However you are full of intellect and understanding, and I sincerely hope you help us in the times of need.

William Cecil