What Domestic Problems faced Elizabeth

A detailed Summary of What Domestic Problems faced Elizabeth

Many different problems faced Elizabeth I on her accession to the throne in 1558, behind her lay years of turmoil. England was torn by religious strife, was economically insecure, and was involved in a disastrous war with France. To these problems Elizabeth brought a thorough education, innate shrewdness, and a skill in diplomacy that she had constantly exercised during the reigns of Edward and Mary, when one mistake might have meant her death.

Mary I died on 17th November 1558 in the early hours of the morning. Followed by the death of Cardinal Pole on the same day. Elizabeth almost certainly knew of the death of her sister before it had been proclaimed. To avoid embarrassment to she had sent Sir Nicholas Throckmorton to London and instructed him to ride back post-haste on the death of the Queen. When he arrived it appeared that Elizabeth's court was already aware of the proceedings and preparing itself for the events to come. Sir William Cecil who was to be appointed secretary was ready at his desk and from that moment forward continued to keep concise notes that allow us insight into the events that took place. From this day forward proceedings ran remarkably smoothly, until the day that Elizabeth was pronounced Queen on 15t

It was the 'Act of Supremacy' that gave Elizabeth ultimate control of the Church of England. In the reign of her father and brother, the monarch had been "Head of the Church in England", but under Elizabeth, this was modified to "Supreme Governor of the Church in England". The change was made to satisfy Catholics who could not accept the monarch taking the role of the Pope and it also appeased the more extreme Protestants who disliked the idea of a woman as 'Head of the Church'. This act also included an oath of loyalty to the Queen that the clergy were expected to take, if they refuse they would lose their office. A High Commission was established to ensure that such oaths were taken. Unfortunately only two Catholic bishops took the oath and this allowed Elizabeth to appoint, along with existing vacancies, 25 new bishops in total. Within the lower clergy most took the oath.

The 'Act of Uniformity' was the crux of the Elizabethan Church, establishing a set form of worship. The Prayer books of Edward VI were fused into one, clever book, and were to be used in every church in the land. This allowed phrasing that would hopefully satisfy both Catholics and Lutherans. Church attendance on Sundays and holy days was made compulsory, with a twelve pence fine to be collected if people did not attend, the money to be given to the poor. The ornaments and vestments of the Church were t

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Approximate Word count = 933
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Religion