Marriage and Elizabeth

1559 Plea of Parliament

There is nothing which with more ardent affection we beg of God in our daily prayers, than our happiness hitherto received by your most gratiousgovernment may be perpetuated to the English nation unto all eternity. Whilst in our mind and cogitation we cast many ways how this might be effected, we can find none at all, unless your Majesty shall reign for ever, or else by Marriage bring forth children, Heirs both to their Mother's Vertue and Empire. This is the single, the onely, the all-comprehending prayer of all Englishmen.

Elizabeth Reply

...now that the Publick Care of governing the Kingdom is laid upon me, to draw upon me also the Cares of marriage may seem a point of inconsiderate Folly. Yea, to satisfie you, I have already joyned myself in marriage to an Husband, namely, the Kingdom of England...And to me it shall be a Full satisfaction, both for the memorial of my Name, and for my Glory also, if when I shall let my last breath, it be ingraven upon my Marble Tomb, "Here lieth Elizabeth, which Reigned a Virgin, and died a Virgin."

Philip II, Spain

• January 1559 Offer

• Consideration

– Anglo-Spanish alliance as foil to French

• Rejection

– Close relationship as half-sister’s widower

– Objections of subjects to a Catholic monarch

Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (1532-88)

Amy Robsart Dudley, (1532-1560)

m. 1550

m. 1578Lettice Knollys

Devereux(1543- 1634)

Douglas Howard Sheffield (Dudley) Stafford

Drama and its Intended Uses

• Comedy given by Dudley for Elizabeth

• Juno and Diana debate marriage with Jupiter calling Juno’s defense of marriage the winner

• Elizabeth to Dudley “This is all against me.”

Eric of Sweden (1533-1577)

First proposal as prince (against father’s wishes) before Elizabeth was queen1560 Becomes KingConsideration: ProtestantElizabeth refuses proxy offer through brother

“But I have always given both to your brother, . . . and also to your Ambassador likewise the same answer with scarcely any variation of the words, that we do not conceive in our heart to take a husband, but highly commend this single life, and hope that your Serene Highness will no longer spend time in waiting for us.”

Van der Meulen, 1561

Bluff

“She has many suitors for her hand, and by protracting any decision keeps them all in hope, persuading herself that in her need they will do what they can from rivalry to gain her love and matrimonial alliance."

Giovanni Michieli, Ambassador, Venice

“I do not think anything is more enjoyable to this Queen than the treating of marriage although she she assures me that nothing annoys her more. She is vain, and would like all the world running after her.

Guzman de Silva, Ambassador, Spain

1566 Parliament Confrontation

Refusal to vote support unless marriage and succession is addressed• “I will marry as soon as I can conveniently, if God take not

him away with whom I mind to marry, or myself. . . And I hope to have children, otherwise I would never marry. “

• “Your petition is to deal in the limitation of the succession. At this present it is not convenient, nor never shall be without some peril unto you, and certain danger unto me. But as soon as there may be a convenient time and that it may be done with least peril unto you, although never without great danger unto me, I will deal therein for your safety and offer it unto you as your prince and head without requests. For it is monstrous that the feet should direct the head.”

Freedom of Speech

1566 Attempt to qualify the freedom to only apply to matters that are under consideration

– She would reserve control over the subjects discussed

1571 The Commons were ‘to meddle with noematters of state but such as should be propounded unto them, and to occupy themselves in other matters concerning the commenwealth’.

Charles II, Archduke of Austria

1560 Initial negotiations

1563-66 Resumption

Consideration: Relationship with Hapsburgs and Netherlands trade

Sticking points

– Charles’ proxy negotiation

– Catholicism

– Question of status

Henry, Duke of Anjou (1551-89)

1570-72

Concerns: Plots against Elizabeth; Counter support for Mary, Queen of Scots

Sticking Points

– Religion

– Henry’s opposition and refusal to woo in England

– St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre of Huguenots

Francis, Duke of Anjou (1555-84)

1578-81Considerations: Coordinate support for anti-Spanish activities in NetherlandsReaction to Dudley marriage

Pro– Elizabeth agrees to private worship

– Francis, her ‘frog’ comes to England

Anti– Domestic opposition to Catholicism

– Fear of childbirth at Elizabeth’s age (46)

Gower, 1579 ‘Sieve’ Portraits Metsys, 1583

Mantegna1495-1506