The Accession of Elizabeth I

On November 17, 1558 Mary I passed away after weeks of declining health, she was just forty-two years old. Despite the almost continual feuding angst between Mary and her younger sister Elizabeth, Mary never had her executed (to the disappointment of many of Elizabeth’s enemies) nor did she name another heir in Elizabeth’s place. Upon her death, Mary ring’s was carried to Elizabeth at Hatfield as proof that she was now queen. The House of Peers proclaimed her queen that afternoon from Whitehall. Elizabeth’s response to her sister’s death was not one of remorse, but of political importance. When the Privy Council arrived at Hatfield to meet with Elizabeth she spoke with them saying,

My lords, the law of nature moveth me to sorrow for my sister; the burden that is fallen upon me maketh 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 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 I shall desire you all, my lords 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 in earth. I mean to direct all my actions by food advice and counsel. And therefore, considering that diver of you be of ancient nobility, having your beginning and estate of my progenitors, kings of this realm, and thereby ought in honour to have the more natural care for maintaining my estate and this commonwealth; some others have been of long experience in governance and enabled by my father of noble memory, my brother, and my late sister to bear office; the rest of you being upon special trust lately called to her service only and trust, for your service considered and rewarded; my meaning is to require of you all nothing more but faithful hearts in such service as from time to time shall be in your powers towards the preservation of me and this commonwealth. And for council and advice I shall accept you of my nobility, and such other of you the rest as in consultation I shall think meet and shortly appoint, to the which also, with their advice, I will join to their aid, and for ease of their burden, other meet for my service. And they which I shall not appoint, let them not think the same for any disability in them, but for that I do consider a multitude doth make rather discord and confusion than good counsel. And of my goodwill you shall not doubt, using yourselves as appertaineth to good and loving subjects.

Elizabeth’s first few days as Queen of England would be trying, she actively participated in the planning of her sister’s state funeral, faced questions about her intentions for marriage and moved quickly to appoint trusted advisors and ladies in waiting.

Elizabeth I's Coronation Portrait
Attributed to Hilliard

 

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