Lecture on Henry VII, Elizabeth I, and Elizabethan Government and Society

Henry VII's Desire for a Male Heir

• Henry VII wanted a male heir to secure the Tudor Dynasty.
• Disappointment followed Elizabeth's birth in 1533 as a daughter instead of a son was expected.
• Elizabeth declared illegitimate after her mother's arrest and execution.
• Despite initial neglect, received a royal education.

Elizabeth I's Ascension to the Throne

• Elizabeth became queen after the deaths of her siblings, Edward and Mary.
• Mary's reign noted for attempts to restore Catholicism, leading to unrest.
• Elizabeth's ascension marked by religious division and political maneuverings.

Structure of Government under Elizabeth I

• Queen's Authority: Supreme authority, including power over parliament, judiciary, and succession.
• Royal Court: Over 1,000 people, including the Privy Council, her closest advisors.
• Privy Council: Managed government administration; Elizabeth used patronage to maintain loyalty.

Key Figures in Elizabethan Government

• William Cecil: Influential minister and adviser; Secretary of State, Lord Treasurer.
• Robert Dudley: Close minister; rumors of romance with Elizabeth.
• Francis Walsingham: Spy master, managing a network to protect the queen.

Challenges During Elizabeth's Reign

• Religious instability, economic issues, and social unrest.
• Elizabeth faced pressure to marry but chose to remain single to maintain control and avoid division.

Elizabethan Religious Policy

• Religious Settlements of 1559: Attempted to unify Protestant views while appeasing Catholics.
• Acts of Uniformity and Supremacy: Enforced Protestant practices but maintained some Catholic traditions.

Threats to Elizabeth's Rule

• Mary Queen of Scots: Seen as a legitimate heir by Catholics; involved in plots against Elizabeth.
• Catholic Rebellions: Northern Rebellion and several assassination plots revealed Catholic dissent.
• Puritan Challenges: Advocated for further reforms; Elizabeth suppressed their influence.

Elizabethan Society

• Structure: Divinely appointed social hierarchy, changes with rise of the Gentry.
• Cultural Flourishing: Growth of theater; Shakespeare and others contributed to cultural vibrancy.

Economic and Social Issues

• Inflation, disease, poor harvests, and poverty marked the era.
• Government measures to address poverty were mixed in success.

Exploration and Expansion

• John Hawkins and Francis Drake: Engaged in slave trade and circumnavigation.
• Colonization Efforts: Walter Raleigh's initiatives in the New World.

Conflict with Spain

• Spanish Armada: Attempted invasion in 1588 thwarted by English defense and weather.
• Continued naval conflicts and piracy marked the ongoing war.

End of Elizabeth's Reign

• Elizabeth maintained national security until her death in 1603, leaving a legacy of stability despite numerous challenges.