‘Elizabeth came to value and adopt the masculine qualities of dominance, aggression and
fearlessness, which made it impossible for her to assume the subservient role expected of
a wife’. L. Smith, Historian, 1984
How convincing if this interpretation of why Elizabeth never married? (8 marks).
Marriage was incredibly important issue during Elizabeth’s reign. It was particularly
important for a Queen to marry because in the Elizabethan era many believed that a Queen
needed a husband to make political decisions for her, to lead her military campaigns and to
provide her with strength as a ruler. One of the main reasons it was so important for
Elizabeth to marry was due to a lack of an heir to the throne. This was a main concern
amongst England’s Protestants as it would mean that if Elizabeth died, it would be unclear
who would inherit the throne.
The interpretation is convincing because Elizabeth could not rule effectively if she married. If
she took a husband, he would rule for her. By not marrying, Elizabeth would not lose her
authority. Angered by the interference she had from Parliament, she banned them from
talking about it. Also, it was arguably not just the loss of power. Elizabeth was able to utilise
the possibility of marriage to her advantage when dealing with foreign leaders and
important figures in England. Failing to marry allowed Elizabeth to maintain loyalty from
powerful men in England as well as, like the interpretation reveals, not having her authority
challenged by her husband. Women were expected to defer their power to their husbands if
they decided to marry.
Moreover, the interpretation does not account for the loss of England’s power if she was to
marry a foreign suitor. Also, by choosing a member of the English Nobility, she risked
creating fear and resentment from those in her Privy Council who were not chosen. In
addition, being a Protestant Country, it made marriage difficult for Elizabeth as she did not
want to choose a Catholic suitor and undermine the religion of the country.
Whilst the interpretation is convincing, it fails to recognise the political significance of
choosing a foreign suitor, the risk of alienating English Nobles through choosing an English
suitor and the consequence of choosing a catholic suitor against the backdrop of the anti-
Catholic ruling of England.
fearlessness, which made it impossible for her to assume the subservient role expected of
a wife’. L. Smith, Historian, 1984
How convincing if this interpretation of why Elizabeth never married? (8 marks).
Marriage was incredibly important issue during Elizabeth’s reign. It was particularly
important for a Queen to marry because in the Elizabethan era many believed that a Queen
needed a husband to make political decisions for her, to lead her military campaigns and to
provide her with strength as a ruler. One of the main reasons it was so important for
Elizabeth to marry was due to a lack of an heir to the throne. This was a main concern
amongst England’s Protestants as it would mean that if Elizabeth died, it would be unclear
who would inherit the throne.
The interpretation is convincing because Elizabeth could not rule effectively if she married. If
she took a husband, he would rule for her. By not marrying, Elizabeth would not lose her
authority. Angered by the interference she had from Parliament, she banned them from
talking about it. Also, it was arguably not just the loss of power. Elizabeth was able to utilise
the possibility of marriage to her advantage when dealing with foreign leaders and
important figures in England. Failing to marry allowed Elizabeth to maintain loyalty from
powerful men in England as well as, like the interpretation reveals, not having her authority
challenged by her husband. Women were expected to defer their power to their husbands if
they decided to marry.
Moreover, the interpretation does not account for the loss of England’s power if she was to
marry a foreign suitor. Also, by choosing a member of the English Nobility, she risked
creating fear and resentment from those in her Privy Council who were not chosen. In
addition, being a Protestant Country, it made marriage difficult for Elizabeth as she did not
want to choose a Catholic suitor and undermine the religion of the country.
Whilst the interpretation is convincing, it fails to recognise the political significance of
choosing a foreign suitor, the risk of alienating English Nobles through choosing an English
suitor and the consequence of choosing a catholic suitor against the backdrop of the anti-
Catholic ruling of England.
