How far do you agree with the view that Elizabeth remained single because her councillors could not agree on a suitable husband for her?
How far do you agree with the view that Elizabeth remained single because her councillors could not agree on a suitable husband for her? The issue of marriage and succession would have been a key issue facing Elizabeth as a female ruler. It is also an issue which historians have debated for many years and there is still no clear reason to suggest why she did not marry. It was the accepted practise of the era that female monarchs would take a husband, not only to act as consort and to assist with their rule, but also to sire a royal dynasty. It is because of these obvious advantages that historians still debate whether or not her decision not to marry was a conscious one or whether it was due to the bickering and indecision of her advisors at court. The situation at court was such that Elizabeth's councillors had become increasingly more powerful to the extent where they could physically impede the queen's wishes if they deemed it necessary. Two of the most prominent advisors were William Cecil, head of the Privy Council, and Lord Walsingham, an Elizabethan spy master. Both played an active role in the marriage issue to the extent of warning-off and discrediting potential suitors. Although the fact that this took place is irrefutable, it is still unclear as to whether this was out of indecision or whether it was for the good of the nation. There we certainly no shortage of
Was female rule unacceptable in early modern Europe? This narrative will be investigating the political and royal policies of early modern Europe and its reasoning behind preferring (and insisting) that only male royal blood lines shou
Was female rule unacceptable in early modern Europe? This narrative will be investigating the political and royal policies of early modern Europe and it's reasoning behind preferring (and insisting) that only male royal blood lines should maintain the throne. I shall be researching how Queen Elizabeth 1st was able to take the throne as a single female, as well as (despite never being able to take the throne herself) the years that her sons ruled is now known as the 'age of Catherine De Medici'. It will be necessary to look at religious opinions and political laws, as well as literary opinions from the 16th and early 17th century (in some cases earlier) across early modern Europe, England and Scotland, regarding women and their place in society and how that relates to women in positions of power Early modern Europe was segregated by extreme religious fault lines. With England, Scotland, Germany, The Netherlands and France fighting (both politically and literally) for superioty of their chosen religion, these were; Calvinism, Lutheranism, Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, with a small minority of Anglican followers also. The majority of Spain, Portugal and Italy remained virtually wholly Roman Catholic, which lead to many wars and disputes with bordering nations. The Royal policy of the time was to use marriage to cement literal boarders between neighbouring countries in
In what ways has Roman Catholicism been an example of both religious tradition and dissent in England?
In what ways has Roman Catholicism been an example of both religious tradition and dissent in England? Part 1 - Essay Plan Tradition 533 despite break from Rome religious practice was largely unchanged. 553-58 Mary I attempt to re-establish Catholicism, Cranmer executed. 563 Elizabeth I retains hierarchy of bishops in CofE and some other Catholic elements 605 Tradition = Superstition Dissent = Tradition New Dissent split between Prot + Cath Dissent 533 renounced authority of pope, dissolved monasteries, Thomas Cranmer (Protestant) becomes archbishop of Canterbury 549 Cranmer's new Protestant order of service imposed, revised 1552 (more Protestant) 559-63 Protestant worship enforced but with Catholic elements, in an attempt to find middle ground. 571 Edmund Grindal (reading 3.2) destruction of anything related to "superstition" Paragraph 1 - Introduction - when did dissent start? What caused it? Paragraph 2 - exploration of tradition and beginning of dissent Paragraph 3 - Finding the balance of tradition and dissent Paragraph 4 - All change, dissent now tradition, new dissent. Paragraph 5 - stability in 18th Century Paragraph 6 - Conclusion OPTION 1 In what ways has Roman Catholicism been an example of both religious tradition and dissent in England? Part 2 - Essay The Roman Catholic Church was widely unchallenged in England until 1533. It was at this
What were the major problems facing the eighteenth-century French Monarchy?
Was her empire a blessing or a curse to early modern Spain? The unification of the crowns of Aragon and Castile in 1469 was the origin of modern Spain and the beginning of the Spanish Empire. Spain was Europe's leading power throughout the 16th century and most of the 17th century; a position reinforced by trade and wealth from colonial possessions. Her Empire was vast and stretched across the globe: from great territories in the Americas, to the East Indies and various cities in North Africa and Europe. This was an age of discovery, when seaborne exploration opened-up new trade routes across the oceans of the world. And the arrival of precious metals, spices, tobacco, sugar and new colonies developed Spain's Empire of the Early Modern period. The unification of Spain began with the Reconquista. The reconquest of Muslim Granada played a vital role, in the unification of Spain, by acting as a common ground for both kingdoms of Christian Spain to acknowledge. There were three main Christian political powers in Spain: Castile, Aragon and Portugal. The unification of the houses of Aragon and Castile now provided a rivalry between 'modern Spain' and Portugal and they were given the title 'most Christian monarchs' after conquering the Muslim influence in Spain and by 1492 the expulsion or conversion of any Jews. It was the combination of the crusade like reconquest of Granada,
Mary Tudor was born on February 18, 1516 at Greenwich Palace she was the daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon (Loades 14).
Nancy Chapa Susan Tackett English IV February 7,2003 Mary I Mary Tudor was born on February 18, 1516 at Greenwich Palace she was the daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon (Loades 14). She was the only child in this marriage because none of the others survived ("Mary I" 308). Mary lived an unstable childhood (Tittler 147), although she was a good student, she learned many languages including, Latin, French, Spanish, Italian and Greek. She studied astronomy, natural science, and mathematics (Loades 18). Her father broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and formed his own church, marrying and divorcing several times (Tittler 148). When Mary's father marred Anne Boleynn, Mary was forced to leave her own household. Her title was taken away but was restored to the royal succession by the parliamentary act in 1553 ("Mary I" 309). Mary blamed Anne Boleynn, for all the unhappiness in her early adult life (Loades 156). As the summer of 1553 came closer, the fact that she would succeed, began to cause alarm in some well-informed towns (Loades 170). Mary received news of Edward's death on July eighth, on the ninth she rejoined her main household at Kenninghall, the Kings death was confirmed the same day. Mary immediately proclaimed herself queen by divine and human law (Loades 176). Mary became queen but not until English nobles tried to replace her with Lady Jane Grey,
MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS: AN EPILOGUE
MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS: AN EPILOGUE Mary, queen of Scots left England, so to speak, in the same way that she had entered it - with a trial over her conduct and a debate over the legitimacy of the enquiry. Against Mary's claim that, as a queen, she was above the law of England, the prosecution replied that nobody was above the law in such a crime. The guilty verdict was a foregone conclusion, though that does not mean the trail was rigged. Mary was given a fair trial... at least by Tudor standards, which meant: - no defence counsel; - no secretarial aid to assist in planning her defence. Elizabeth took her time about signing the death warrant, trying first to persuade Mary's jailor, Sir Amyas Paulet, to "do the deed" unofficially and on the quiet. Paulet refused, shrewdly recognizing that he could easily be made a scapegoat, if Elizabeth wished to assuage criticism by denying responsibility. In the end Elizabeth did sign the death warrant on 1 February 1587, then tried to ensure that it was not carried out (or to evade responsibility) by issuing contradictory instructions. However, this time her Privy Council ensured that there would be no reprieve for Mary. The execution was carried out at Fotheringay a week later without Elizabeth being informed in advance. She was buried initially in Peterborough cathedral, being moved later to Westminster Abbey when her
History 1500
First Voyage of Christopher Columbus. 5132836 On the 7th of January 1792 Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain under instruction from the King and Queen to find a westerly sea crossing direct to Asia. Of this journey there were several items of literature written to which made account of the journey that still remain today. After reading two different pieces which offer different accounts from different men, a diary written by Las Casas a crewmen on the voyage, which was composed after the expedition, and a letter, to the King and Queen of Spain written by Columbus himself at the time of the voyage. These two items allow for a great insight the initial reactions between the two cultures, and also an insight into the Spanish mind on that fateful day in October 1492. First it must be noticed that there are many strengths and weaknesses to both the items the Letter offers greater credibility, because its a primary source coming directly from Columbus only having been translated from Spanish to English, also the letter was written at the time or shortly after the voyage took place. This leaves for less chance of the truth being blurred by the passing of time. The Diary, on the other hand, is a secondary source, this mainly because the diary was not written by Columbus himself but by Las Casas. It was also not written at the time of the voyage but sometime after allowing
How far is it true to say that the Elizabethan Church settlement was 'little concerned with religion and much more concerned with political stability?
EI-How far is it true to say that the Elizabethan Church settlement was 'little concerned with religion and much more concerned with political stability? Introduction: I think this is a valid judgement as Elizabeth's fundamental policy at the beginning of her reign was to consolidate the stability of her throne. Therefore religion was used politically by Elizabeth to gain a religious conformity between the two main religions in England so to keep the peace. Main Content: o Elizabeth desired uniformity among clergymen not a set of their own religious beliefs that needed to be identical to Elizabeth's. This shows that loyalty was the overriding factor from her religious subjects not the correct set of beliefs, in the interests of her stability on her throne. * Elizabeth's first choice in Bishops were the Marian Bishops as they had already shown their loyalty to the monarchy despite their extreme Catholic beliefs. o Political advantages were also gained by Elizabeth from the religious settlement, that supports the argument. However these economic gains were only contributory factors compared with the political stability of Elizabeth. More importantly was the conformity of those subscribing to the religious settlement imposed by Elizabeth. * The Act of exchange gave Elizabeth the option to exchange crown lands with Church lands which would have resulted in a large
Why was it so difficult to decide between true and false visions and apparitions in early modern Europe?
344885 2600 Why was it so difficult to decide between true and false visions and apparitions in early modern Europe? The Catholic encyclopaedia explains the difference between apparitions and visions as apparitions being a vision, is when God produces a plain image to a person that is seen with the eyes, where as an apparition is sent through God through any of the senses, a vision or sagacity that causes external pressures to the viewer1. The debate about true or false visions had been underway throughout the Middle Ages through an ongoing attempt by the Catholic Church to gain control of what people saw. However, the early modern period saw a radical transformation in regards to how visions and apparitions were perceived. The reformation saw, both the Roman Catholic the Protestant church disagree as to what was a correct vision or apparition and the question the very nature of these revelations were also disputed. Keith Thomas acknowledges that the nature of visions and apparitions distinguished which particular religious view one decided to withhold after the reformation, yet Protestant alterations concerning certain revelations challenge this view2. Keith Thomas suggested that "it may be a relatively frivolous question today to ask whether or not one believes in ghosts, it was in the sixteenth century a shibboleth which distinguished
Explain the motives behind the Elizabethan religious settlement
Explain the motives behind the Elizabethan religious settlement One of Elizabeth's first priorities having ascended the throne of England in 1558, was to reach a suitable religious settlement and thus end the religious divisions and confusions that had defined England since the Reformation. It was likely to be a Protestant settlement; both on a personal and political level. Firstly because Elizabeth herself had been raised as a protestant and secondly because she could see immense power and advantage in being head of the Church. Therefore, though the general direction of the settlement was easy to define, the exact form it was to take and why it took the form it did was much more complex. Elizabeth had retained her divided Privy Council and this was intentionally maintained throughout the drawing up of the settlement. Cecil and Dudley in common with many of the other Councillors were convinced Protestants, but others were deeply conservative. Elizabeth's own inclination therefore, as the head of this council was not to push religious conformity to extremes, as Mary and Edward had done before her. Provided the gentry acknowledged the establishment of the Church of England she did not wish to "make windows into men's souls". Matters of religion were at the heart of the state and Elizabeth was well aware that she needed to minimise the possibilities of widespread