Elizabeth 1
The Consolidation of Elizabeth’s Rule, 1558-71
Succession and Settlement
Legally a simple succession: defined by Henry VIII, Mary had named Elizabeth as her successor, Philip of Spain had recognised Elizabeth by sending his envoy, Count of Feria, to see Elizabeth a month before Mary’s death
A key aim of Elizabeth’s was to retain the prerogative powers of the Crown: the rights to call, suspend and dissolve parliament; declare war and make peace; appoint and dismiss ministers and judges; determine the monarch’s marriage and name a successor
Key People
Sir William Cecil, later Lord Burghley
Sir Robert Cecil (Burghley’s son)
The establishment of Elizabeth’s authority
After Mary’s death on 17th November 1558, Elizabeth moved quickly to establish her authority
While Parliament should legally have been dissolved on Mary’s death, her Lord Chancellor Nicholas Heath announced her death in parliament on 17th Nov. and proclaimed Elizabeth’s succession, showing the collective assent of the political elite, inc. Catholics, to Elizabeth’s accession
Elizabeth appointed Sir William Cecil as Principal Secretary on 20th Nov. Supporter Thomas Parry was appointed Comptroller of the Household. Friend Robert Dudley was made Master of the Horse
Elizabeth refrained from making further appointment, keeping Mary’s councillors guessing as to her intentions. Received a deputation of 9 Marian councillors on 20th Nov. who pledged their support
Made regular appearances to public between moving to London on 23rd Nov. and coronation on 15th Jan. 1669
Speculation of marriage; Spanish ambassador Feria tried to broker marriage between her and one of his relatives
Only Marian bishop willing to conduct coronation was Owen Oglethorpe, Bishop of Carlisle, a marginal and poor diocese. Archbishop Heath, while recognising Elizabeth’s sovereign right, refused to conduct the ceremony as Elizabeth had removed the elevation of the host, which Heath argued she had no right to do
The Elizabethan
Succession and Settlement
Legally a simple succession: defined by Henry VIII, Mary had named Elizabeth as her successor, Philip of Spain had recognised Elizabeth by sending his envoy, Count of Feria, to see Elizabeth a month before Mary’s death
A key aim of Elizabeth’s was to retain the prerogative powers of the Crown: the rights to call, suspend and dissolve parliament; declare war and make peace; appoint and dismiss ministers and judges; determine the monarch’s marriage and name a successor
Key People
Sir William Cecil, later Lord Burghley
Sir Robert Cecil (Burghley’s son)
The establishment of Elizabeth’s authority
After Mary’s death on 17th November 1558, Elizabeth moved quickly to establish her authority
While Parliament should legally have been dissolved on Mary’s death, her Lord Chancellor Nicholas Heath announced her death in parliament on 17th Nov. and proclaimed Elizabeth’s succession, showing the collective assent of the political elite, inc. Catholics, to Elizabeth’s accession
Elizabeth appointed Sir William Cecil as Principal Secretary on 20th Nov. Supporter Thomas Parry was appointed Comptroller of the Household. Friend Robert Dudley was made Master of the Horse
Elizabeth refrained from making further appointment, keeping Mary’s councillors guessing as to her intentions. Received a deputation of 9 Marian councillors on 20th Nov. who pledged their support
Made regular appearances to public between moving to London on 23rd Nov. and coronation on 15th Jan. 1669
Speculation of marriage; Spanish ambassador Feria tried to broker marriage between her and one of his relatives
Only Marian bishop willing to conduct coronation was Owen Oglethorpe, Bishop of Carlisle, a marginal and poor diocese. Archbishop Heath, while recognising Elizabeth’s sovereign right, refused to conduct the ceremony as Elizabeth had removed the elevation of the host, which Heath argued she had no right to do
The Elizabethan