HP108 Elizabeth: Part 3
Hello and welcome to History Podcast. This is episode 108 and another episode from Fiona Skepper. This is part 3 of Fiona’s Elizabeth series.
After the defeat of the Spanish Armada in July 1588 Elizabeth was at the height of her glory. Although Phillip of Spain was to send other fleets, invasion would not seriously threaten England again during the rest of Elizabeth’s reign. The victory confirmed her popularity and her mythical image amongst her subjects.
The last years of Elizabeth’s reign were “darkened by personal and political misfortunes.” However there were still some triumphs worth noting.
The last 15 years or so of Elizabeth’s reign saw the artistic glories of the age of Spenser, Marlowe and Shakespeare, by the navigational achievements of Drake and Hawkins, and by the establishment of the first colony in Virginia, named after her. Some of these events could only be said to be influenced indirectly by her. The great flowering in poetry and other literature probably owe more to the stability and prosperity brought by Elizabeth’s reign than any particular interest from her. Although a great scholar, she showed no particular interest in literature. The most famous literary figure of them all – William Shakespeare, is forever associated with her reign, however it was Elizabeth’s successor James 1st, who appeared to be a far more of an active supporter of the theatre. James 1st awarded Shakespeare’s company (the Chamberlain’s Men) a royal patent in 1603 and they became the ‘King’s Men.’
As for exploration, Elizabeth seemed more interested in voyages for what riches and plunder they brought back. The first American Settlement at Ranoake Island in North Carolina proved a dismal failure, and Elizabeth didn’t support sending supplies there for three years as she needed all ships to face threats at home. Again it was not until James’s reign that a permanent English settlement was established in America in Jamestown (see history podcast 92). Elizabeth saw the colony more as a provider of riches from the New World, and a base from which to send privateers on raids against the treasure fleets of Spain. Privateers were basically government sponsored pirates, who were allowed to attack enemy ships in return for sharing the spoils with the crown. Elizabeth sometimes lent ships or bought shares in the privateers’ venture of ‘Sea Dogs’ such as Francis Drake or John Hawkins.
The last great drama and romance of Elizabeth’s life concerned her involvement with the Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, who was Robert Dudley’s step son and thirty three years younger than her. Like his step father Essex was a talented courtier with a lively mind and was good at practicing ‘courtly love.’
Elizabeth granted Essex honours and advancements however he did not always show his appreciation, biting the hand that fed him. He often treated her without the correct respect, believing because of his descent from Henry IV that he was her equal. At one time during an argument they had in the counsel, he even drew his sword on her. Elizabeth however, always forgave him. In 1598 Elizabeth sent Essex to Ireland to lead her forces in the Nine years war, with Irish rebels seeking Independence. This proved a disaster. Essex made a peace treaty with the Irish, created a large number of knights and returned to England, all without the Queen’s permission. He even burst in to the Queen’s room before she was properly dressed, demanding to see her. He stood trial and lost his public offices. On February 8th 1601, Essex tried to raise a rebellion in London, intending to seize the Queen, but few rallied to his support, and he was sent to the block on 25 February 1601. Elizabeth never regretted the execution but was greatly saddened by it. For the rest of her life Elizabeth wore a ring Essex had given her.
At the turn of the century, Elizabeth started demonstrating, what would be described in modern times as a depression. All her old friends had died, Cecil in 1598, Walsingham in 1590, Dudley in 1588, Essex and finally in February 1603 her closet female friend, the Countess of Nottingham. There had been a series of bad harvests, the population had grown considerably and the economy was in trouble.
In November 1601 Elizabeth made her ‘Golden Speech’ the last great speech of her reign to visiting Parliamentarians, when she abolished trade monopolies, with her famous parting statement; “Though you may have had and may have many mightier and wiser princes sitting in this seat, yet you have never had nor shall have any that will love you better.” Elizabeth still had the ability to put on a show.
Around the beginning of March 1603 Elizabeth entered the final stage of her sickness. Although ill, Elizabeth refused to eat, follow her physicians’ directions or go to bed. On March 21, 1603, the Queen was finally persuaded to go to bed, she died a few days later on the 24th March 1603 in Richmond Palace between two and three o'clock in the morning.
Throughout her reign Elizabeth had refused to name her successor, the “second person” in the realm. She had once held that position herself and knew the plots and dangers that surrounded them. Until near the very end she remained silent about who would succeed her. In the last few days she has lost the power of speech, however she indicated that Mary Queen of Scott’s son James would succeed her by making her fingers in to a crown and placing them on her head when his name was mentioned. It could be that she indicated nothing, and it was a convenient story of one of her councillors, Robert Cecil, who had already been corresponding and developing a relationship with James and had messengers waiting to send him word as soon as she died. Elizabeth was buried in Westminster Abbey next to her sister Queen Mary.
Elizabeth reign wasn’t completely a ‘Golden Age.’ Elizabeth never had great military success, probably because she tried to stay out of conflicts, sometimes sending troops to support other’s battles. In the last years of her reign there was a bloody revolt in Ireland, which was only quelled at the time of Elizabeth’s death. During her reign Elizabeth demonstrated the adage that the best action is no action, or a least as little action as possible. As Sir Walter said in relation to her foreign policy, "Her Majesty did all by halves." She was unable to pass on to her successor a solvent treasuary. Most importantly Elizabeth had not produced an heir, although she claimed to be the mother of England.
However the myth lives on, and has only grown over time. In 2002 the BBC conducted a poll that named Elizabeth 1st as the most popular monarch of all time and the seventh greatest ever ‘Briton.’
Elizabeth prevented the outbreak of a religious or civil war in England, unlike Continential Eurpoe, despite the imense turmoil following Henry VIII's break from Rome. What might be Elizabeth’s greatest achievement is her survival. In the face of religious conflict and a questionable claim to the throne, plots and politics, (both domestic and foreign), she was able to keep it together.
Sources:
Elizabeth the Queen – Alison Weir
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roanoke_Colony
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Robert_Devereux%2C_2nd_Earl_of_Essex