Lecture Notes on Elizabeth I and Her Reign

Early Life and Accession to the Throne

• Henry VII's Desire for a Son: Henry VII wanted a male heir to continue the Tudor dynasty.
• Birth of Elizabeth I: Born on September 7, 1533, to Henry's second wife Anne Boleyn.
• Disappointment at Birth: Expected to be a son; her birth was met with disappointment.
• Aftermath of Her Mother's Execution: Declared illegitimate after Anne Boleyn's arrest and execution.
• Education and Religious Influences: Received a royal education and was influenced by Protestantism through Katherine Parr.
• Path to the Throne: Became queen after her siblings Edward and Mary died without heirs.

Elizabeth I's Reign

• Government Structure:
  • Queen's Authority: Supreme authority with powers to summon/dismiss Parliament, make war/peace, and appoint/dismiss officials.
  • Royal Court: Consisted of over 1,000 individuals including nobility and servants.
  • Privy Council: Group of influential advisers managing government administration.
  • Parliament: Split into House of Lords (nobles/bishops) and House of Commons (elected).

Key Figures in Elizabethan Government

• William Cecil: Influential adviser, Secretary of State, and later Lord Treasurer.
• Robert Dudley: Close adviser with rumored romantic ties to Elizabeth.
• Francis Walsingham: Spy master and security chief.

Marriage and Succession Issues

• Pressure to Marry: Pressured to marry and produce an heir but refused.
• Marriage Contenders: Rejected proposals from Philip II of Spain, Francis Duke of Anjou, and others.
• Decision to Remain Unmarried: Chose to remain the 'Virgin Queen' to avoid political complications.

Religious Policies and Challenges

• Religious Context: Protestant nation with Catholic and Puritan minorities.
• Elizabethan Religious Settlements (1559):
  • Act of Supremacy: Elizabeth as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
  • Act of Uniformity: Established mandatory church attendance and a new Book of Common Prayer.
• Threats from Catholics: Faced plots and rebellions inspired by Catholic discontent.
• Mary Queen of Scots: Executed after being implicated in plots against Elizabeth.
• Puritan Challenges: Advocated for further religious reforms but controlled by Elizabeth.

Social and Cultural Context

• Elizabethan Society:
  • Rise of the Gentry: Increase in wealth and influence among non-nobility landowners.
  • Theater and Culture: Flourishing of theater with figures like Shakespeare.
  • Challenges for Common Folk: Inflation, poor harvests, and poverty affected lower classes.

Exploration and Expansion

• Sea Exploration: Led by figures like John Hawkins and Francis Drake.
• Slave Trade: Hawkins known for initiating the British involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.
• Colonization Efforts: Walter Raleigh's expeditions and colonization attempts.

Conflict with Spain

• Spanish Armada (1588):
  • Background: Tension due to religious differences, piracy, and political conflicts.
  • The Armada's Defeat: Weather and English naval tactics led to the defeat.
  • Aftermath: Seen as a divine victory and bolstered Elizabeth’s reputation.

Conclusion

• Elizabeth's Legacy: Maintained national security, established a Protestant England, and saw cultural flourishing despite challenges.
• Death: Died in 1603, leaving a stable and culturally rich England as her legacy.