The Era of Elizabeth-I as Queen of England - Term Paper Example

xxxx History and Political Science  Topic: Elizabeth 20 April, Introduction Many historians and critics are of unanimous opinion that the era of Elizabeth-I as Queen of England was the most glorious period of England’s history. It was the age that observed a continuous expansion in the borders of the country when British monarchy touched the borders of North America as well by the end of the sixteenth century. Numbers of historical evidences proved that the Queen’s triumph against Spanish Armada and her incessant devotion to the nation were the hallmark of her regime. Although 45 years government of Elizabeth-I accomplished a lot of tasks which gave a real push to the British rule to spread across the borders and thus became a leading military and economic power of the world, however, the same era had also highlighted some of the most historical controversies regarding the Queen’s claim of being a virgin, her religious reforms, and the massive control of her influential authorities on her. Childhood One of the greatest Queens of England, Elizabeth-I, was born as the second child of Henry VIII on 7 September 1533 at Greenwich Palace. Elizabethan mother was second wife of Henry VIII and just at the time of birth Elizabeth had the heiress presumptive to the royal seat of English monarchy because Mary, her elder step-sister, had lost the right of legitimate heir of throne of England as Henry had annulled his marriage to her mother1. Just after three days of her birth, Elizabeth was baptised on 10 September. In 1536, Elizabeth’s mother died, therefore, Elizabeth heiress was declared illegitimate as she lost the title of princess as well2. Soon after this, Henry married Jane Seymour who also died shortly after giving birth to Prince Edward who became the undisputed heir to the throne of British Empire. From 1537 onward, Elizabeth taught from several mistresses like Lady Bryant, Blanche Herbert, Catherine Champernowne, William Grindal and Blanche Parry. Champernowne taught her several languages which included English, French, Flemish, Italian and Spanish3. Elizabeth also learnt Greek from Grindal. Elizabeth was the most highly educated girl of her generation just at the age of 17 when she formally ended her education4. In later stages of her life, Elizabeth also acknowledged to speak Scottish, Welsh, Cornish, and Irish languages. In 1603, the Venetian ambassador regarded her as “possessing [these] languages so thoroughly that each appeared to be her native tongue”.5 Accession Mary died on 17th November, 1558. After her death, Elizabeth’s accession was welcomed in a jubilation fashion. Elizabeth had a great personality composed of impressive physique and look. Her olive like complexion along with reddish-gold hair made her even more attractive and gracious figure for young generation and especially for the princes of her era. Elizabeth was as eloquent as just at the start of her realm and during coronation rituals, she successfully created a great enthusiasm in general community. In her very first address to the Parliament she said: My lords, the law of nature moves me to sorrow for my sister; the burden that is fallen upon me makes me amazed, and yet, considering I am God’s creature, ordained to obey His appointment, I will thereto yield, desiring from the bottom of my heart that I may have assistance of His grace to be the minister of His heavenly will in this office now committed to me. And as I am but one body naturally considered, though by His permission a body politic to govern, so shall I desire you all ... to be assistant to me, that I with my ruling and you with your service may make a good account to Almighty God and leave some comfort to our posterity on earth. I mean to direct all my actions by good advice and counsel.6 Elizabeth’s talks could be rough and tough as well as appeased, her official approach and strategies were impulsive, and her intentions were unfathomable. She exasperated some of her advisors because they pointed out her indifference approach. Like her father, the Queen also used to take decisions at her own. Just after few weeks of her accession, the Spanish envoy observed her as “she gives her orders and has her way as absolutely as her father did”. Religious Policies Elizabeth regime is very much renowned and controversial too with respect to the British religious society as she faced great challenges in this field and made remarkable reforms. Elizabeth-I was of the opinion that being a Protestant was better for the progress and prosperity of the country. Most of the time, she took advice from Protestants. Since her rule was paramount, therefore, in religious issues, the main concern in front of her was her own preeminence. She was not religiously extremist and she never accepted the religious extremism from Puritans and Catholics that is why she allowed neither clergy nor Parliament to dictate her regarding the enforcement of settlement between these Christians. Basically, the Queen received the religious issues in context with recent past as Henry VIII had conflicts with Roman Popes and later on, Mary once again altered the religious atmosphere from Protestantism to Roman Catholic. So it was a serious challenge for Elizabeth. One of the significant religious reforms of Elizabeth was the ‘Religious Settlement’ between the populations of Catholic frame of minds and the Protestant school of thought. The ‘Religious Settlement’ was basically a Church where although the Queen provided some leverages to Catholics, however, neither Catholics nor Protestants were dominated7. It produced an atmosphere where all Christians had same religious environment. Elizabeth herself was just a Supreme Governor and not a Supreme Head of the Church and insisted the bishops to lead its proceedings. The Queen had little reverence with respect to bishops but it was nothing for their wives and she was no more anxious to see Protestant enthusiasm encouraged among the lower clergy than she was to see the Act of Supremacy and Uniformity. On 8th May, 1559 British parliament accepted the bill and a new Act of Supremacy became law of the country. According to this law, government officials were to swear an oath of loyalty to the monarchy of Elizabeth as the supreme governor or risk disqualification from office. The law was a direct hit on Roman Catholicism. During the same year another act, The Act of Uniformity was passed. The act enforced the presence at church obligatory; however, sentence for failure to attend or for recusancy were not very insensitive.8 The law also encouraged the restructured and altered copy of the Book of Common Prayer which was published for the first time in 1552. Till 1561, Elizabeth’s relations were not finally broken and due to Diplomatic support of Spain, Popes remained away from taking any extreme measures. This situation created a discomfort amongst Catholics while Catholics of Spain and France also raised their reservations. Therefore, up to some extent, the Queen had to take the public support on her side or at least the bishops in Parliament, thus, some of the Catholics’ norms were allowed. For example, the ministers were authorized to wear the dress which priests were used to wear. Similarly, crosses and candles were also allowed in the Church and transubstantiation was practiced9. The Queen highlighted her intentions numbers of times that all her religious reforms were just for the betterment of British nation. She successfully gained the trust of Parliament and for doing so she did not show any indecision to lock up the Catholic Archbishops. Despite all her patriotic intentions, critically speaking the ‘Religious Settlement’ could not work in the long run because both Protestants and Catholics did not show any religious tolerance to each other. For the next 11 years, i.e. till 1570, the Catholics could not get any strong and compelling lead from papacy. During these 11 years, the Roman Catholicism started dying of old age because there was no suitable one to replace the dying priests. Whoever were available, they were not efficient enough to instruct the young generation to remain firm with ancient faith, thus, when the Pope excommunicated Elizabeth in 1570, Catholics demanded a new face. The Virgin Queen Elizabeth captured the throne at the age of 25 and just after the start of her realm, discussions started about her marriage. Numbers of offered were presented to her, she even got proposals at the age of fifty but she never got married. According to her, the choice of a husband might also provoke religious intolerance, political instability, or even rebellion.10 In 1559, a widely contemplation took place that Queen was interested to marry with her childhood friend, Robert Dudley.11 By the end of autumn of the same year, Elizabeth received a lot of foreign suitors vying for her hand and these continuous suitors made the discussion by word of mouth: “There is not a man who does not cry out on him and her with indignation ... she will marry none but the favored Robert.”12 Dudley’s wife died in September, 1560, after falling from stairs, however, this accidental death created doubts in mind of public that Dudley had murdered his wife so that he could marry the Queen. It was the time when Elizabeth was found really serious to arrange marriage with Dudley, however, her advisors Nicholas Throckmorton, William Cecil, and some other councilors inculcated her that the marriage with Dudley could be a cause of political failure in near future.13 The last proposal she got at the age of fifty was from his 22 years old junior Francois, Duke of Anjou. Historians have discussed several speculations behind the scene but no one could throw a real light on the reason. Some of the historians have asserted that Elizabeth had recognized her infertility.14 Another controversy is that Thomas Seymour had sexual relations with her. History is silent regarding the evidence of any of the speculations. International Relations and Wars This is yet another field which remained under the personal and close control of Elizabeth. Her all personal secretaries William Ceil, Sir Francis Walsingham, and Robert Ceil were used to perform just a general diplomatic role. There were very few occasions when other councilors or even privy councilors were called for some advice. Elizabeth kept the decision making in her own hands. She had varied options to get the information for deception to be easy. Further, she had an extra edge of speaking several languages, thus, she was able to deal with the foreign diplomats directly. Consequently, the formulation of international relations and control on religious activities remained rested under her direct command. Elizabeth’s era is prone for her defensive foreign policies. She was against to spent valuable money in wars instead of spending it on public prosperity. Protestantism was not her instrument of policy; rather she was patriot to England. From October, 1562 to June, 1563, the British forces occupied the port of Le Havre but this invasion got unexpected defeat when the Queens’ allies left her and joined the Catholics to recapture the port. Although this defeat put the Elizabeth on back foot, however, the activities of her fleets enabled her to pursue an attacking strategy. This policy paid her back against Spanish troops when almost 80% of war was fought at sea15. Francis Drake completed his circumnavigation across the globe from 1577 to 1580 and just after his arrival Queen handed over the command of troops to him. Francis Drake got great reputation for his raids on Spanish ports and fleets. Support of Netherlands After the loss of Le Havre in 1563, Elizabeth avoided any military assault for the next 22 years. In 1585, Elizabeth sent her army to aid the Protestant Dutch rebels against Philip II.16 The expedition observed the giving up of a series of Dutch communities to Alexander Farnese. In December 1584, an agreement between Philip II and the French Catholic League was made to respond to the Spanish invasion towards the Netherlands. The alliance broadened the Spanish influence along the coast of France where the Catholic League was strong17. Similarly, during the same year, discomfort of Antwerp issue by the Duke of Parma forced the British and Dutch governments to show some necessary rejoinder. Consequently, an agreement, The Treaty of Nonesuch, was signed in August 1585 through which Elizabeth assured to support the Dutch in terms of her military troops.18 According to many critics, the Treaty of Nonesuch was a main reason of the Anglo-Spanish War which continued until the Treaty of London was signed in 1604. Spanish Armada In 1585 and 1586, Sir Francis Drake carried out a mission against Spanish ports and ships and in 1587 he lucratively ruined the Spanish fleet on Cadiz which was actually intended for the expedition of England.19 In response to this assault, Philip II decided to venture his forces into England.20 On 12th July, 1588, a great fleet of ships called Spanish Armada set sail to southeast coast of England from the Netherlands. On 29 July, a British fire ship Grave-lines defeated the great Spanish Armada. Under the command of Earl of Leicester, the English forces also took the advantage of some adversity of Spanish fleet as well. The Armada straggled back to Spain in miserable remnants as it got catastrophic loss along the coast of Ireland.21 The triumph over Spanish Armada was widely considered as the greatest achievement of Elizabeth in her political career. Earl of Leicester invited the Queen to inspect the troops in Essex on 8th August where she addressed her troops. It was one of her most famous speeches. “My loving people, we have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit ourselves to armed multitudes for fear of treachery; but I assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people ... I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a King of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any Prince of Europe should dare to invade the borders of my realm”.22 The English Protestants launched a great propaganda of victory against Spanish Armada and took it as a symbol of God’s favour as well as an inviolable rule of a Virgin Queen. Although, after the death of Elizabeth, Sir Walter Raleigh claimed that her prudence had impeded the war against Spain, however, many historians have judged the Raleigh’s statement unfair. The Virgin Queen had proper logics behind her less trust and confidence in her commanders, as she put it herself, “to be transported with a heavier of vainglory”.23 Russia and France Prince Edward had established warm relations between England and Russia and, according to her general approach, Elizabeth also maintained friendly and diplomatic relations with Russia and other countries. She wrote many diplomatic letters to strengthen the political relations between the two countries. Although, Tsar was never too much happy with Elizabeth as she mainly used to emphasize on economy only and did not show any positive response to military alliance. Since Elizabeth was in favour of Protestantism, therefore, she supported the Protestant Henry IV and sent her troops. Since 1563, it was her first expedition towards France. Henry had many confronts from different angles, i.e. contest by Catholic League, Philip II, and resistance from Spain. In July 1591, under the command of Robert Devereux, Elizabeth sent another force to support Henry but the consequences were quite miserable. The expedition achieved nothing and the troops returned back to Essex in January 1592. Once again Elizabeth had lost the control over her commanders once they were away from homeland. Where he is, or what he doth, or what he is to do,” she wrote of Essex, “we are ignorant”24 Difficulties in Ireland The last phase of Elizabethan era was marked by rising difficulties in Ireland. Although, England was never able to effectively control Ireland, however, during the Elizabethan regime the situation became acute. Four major rebellions took place during her rule which included the rebellion of Shane O'Neill, 1559-1566, the Fitzmaurice confederacy, 1569-1572, the rebellion of Desmond, 1579-1583; and the rebellion of Tyrone 1594-1603.25 Legacy and Image Historians consider that Elizabeth-I as one the greatest woman of modern Europe history. Her reign has been considered as one of the golden periods of modern British history as her regime strengthened the economy of England and provided a strong base for rest of the rulers to expand its borders across the continents. It was a historical era when church, throne, and parliament went side by side under one constitutional balance.26 She had firm believe in God, love for people, and passion for her regime. In a prayer, she pays thanks to God as: “[At a time] when wars and seditions with grievous persecutions have vexed almost all kings and countries round about me, my reign hath been peaceable, and my realm a receptacle to thy afflicted Church. The love of my people hath appeared firm, and the devices of my enemies frustrate”.27 Elizabeth established an English church which highlighted the national image across the borders and helped to build up the religious tolerance among Catholics, Puritans, and Protestants. Still the environment of English church is highly influenced by the reforms she set in.28 Many historians and Protestants gave her a status of Protestants heroine, but critical study reveals that she refused the approval to remove all Catholic practices from the church. Although Elizabeth remained firm on her defensive policy even then she made herself feared by Spain, by France, by empires, and by all.29 She provided a self-esteem, self confidence, and sense of sovereignty to the British community.30 She was the first Tudor who recognized that public consent is vital for the growth of a monarch. She gained a widespread acclaim from historians all around the world and today known as The Virgin Queen, The Lucky Ruler, and Elizabeth-I. Works Cited Chamberlin, Frederick. Elizabeth and Leycester. Dodd, Mead & Co, 1939. Print Dobson, Michael, & Nicola Watson. Elizabeth’s Legacy, in Doran, Susan, and Elizabeth: The Exhibition at the National Maritime Museum. London: Chatto and Windus. 2003. Print. Haigh, Christopher. Elizabeth I. (2nd ed.). Harlow (UK): Longman Pearson. 2000. Print. Hogge, Alice. God’s Secret Agents: Queen Elizabeth's Forbidden Priests and the Hatching of the Gunpowder Plot. London: HarperCollins. 2005. Print. Lee, Christopher. Disc 1. This Sceptred Isle 1547–1660. 1995. Print. Loades, David. “Elizabeth I: The Golden Reign of Gloriana.” London: The National Archives. p. 36-37. 2003. Print. Neale, J. E. Queen Elizabeth I: A Biography. (reprint ed.). London: Jonathan Cape. 1954. Print. Parker, Geoffrey. The Grand Strategy of Philip II. New Haven: Yale University Press. 2000. Print. Somerset, Anne. Elizabeth I. (1st Anchor Books ed.). London: Anchor Books. 2003. Print. Strong, R. C., & Van Dorsten, J. A. Leicester’s Triumph. Oxford University Press. 1964. Print. Venice. “Calendar of State Papers Relating to English Affairs in the Archives of Venice.” Volume 9: 1592–1603 (1897), 562–570. Retrieved on 22 March, 2012. Warnicke, Retha. “Why Elizabeth I Never Married.” History Review, Sept 2010, Issue 67, pp. 15–20. Print. Weir, Alison. Elizabeth the Queen. London: Pimlico. 1999. Print. Weir, Alison. The Children of Henry VIII. Random House. 1997. Print. Wilson, Derek. Sweet Robin: A Biography of Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester 1533–1588. London: Hamish Hamilton. 1981. Print. Read More