Elizabeth I (AQA GCSE History)

Why did Henry VIII marry Anne Boleyn? - Summary

Henry VIII married his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, on 11th June 1509. Catherine of Aragon was a Spanish princess who had been married to Arthur, Henry’s brother. Arthur had died in 1502. Catherine failed to provide Henry VIII with the male heir he desired. Henry attempted to divorce Catherine. However, Pope Clement VII refused to grant him a divorce. This resulted in Henry separating from Rome and creating the Church of England which gave him the power to divorce Catherine. 

Henry VIII still needed a son to continue the Tudor dynasty. Henry married Anne Boleyn on 23rd May 1521, just five months after divorcing Catherine of Aragon. Anne was previously a member of Catherine of Aragon’s household and the daughter of the Duke of Norfolk. Anne also failed to provide Henry with a male heir, however, she did give birth to a daughter, Elizabeth I. After three years of marriage, Anne was accused of adultery and was executed for treason in 1536. 

Despite Henry’s desire to continue the Tudor dynasty, some historians claim that Henry married Anne Boylen for love and power. When Henry VIII divorced Catherine of Aragon and created the Church of England, he inherited the wealth and power of the pope in England. This meant Henry had access to the taxes, land and treasures of the churches in England. These could be used to fund Henry’s wars and court life. 

Who was Elizabeth I?

• Elizabeth I was born in 1533

• Elizabeth was the second child of Henry VIII 

• Elizabeth’s mother, Anne Boleyn, was executed in 1536 when Elizabeth was three years old 

• Elizabeth was

  • A devout protestant 

  • Well-educated 

  • Charismatic 

  • Liked by courtiers

Elizabeth I’s early life 

• Elizabeth was prepared for life as a member of the royal court 

  • Elizabeth attended all royal events 

  • She was educated by royal tutors 

  • She was prepared for a marriage to a foreign suitor to help form an alliance 

• Elizabeth’s childhood was challenging as she was:

  • Witness to Henry VIII's multiple marriages 

  • Neglected by Henry VIII 

  • Considered to be illegitimate 

    • Henry VIII’s Act of Succession in 1534 stated that Mary and Elizabeth were illegitimate. However, Henry re-established Elizabeth’s legitimacy seven years later

  • Her loyalty was constantly questioned

    • Being the daughter of Anne Boylen, who was executed for treason, Henry distrusted Elizabeth 

    • Elizabeth was often used by scheming courtiers to their advantage, which sometimes put Elizabeth in danger 

• Elizabeth's upbringing gave her many strengths as a queen

How Elizabeth's Early Life Made Her a Stronger Queen

Mary I reign

• Edward VI died in 1553 and Henry VIII’s eldest daughter, Mary I became queen 

• Mary I was a Catholic, who saw her Protestant sister as a potential threat 

  • Elizabeth was named in the Protestant plots as a replacement for Mary  

  • Mary imprisoned Elizabeth in the Tower of London for two months before being placed under house arrest until Mary I died

• Mary I faced many problems and challenges as queen which Elizabeth also experienced when she became queen such as:

  • Religion 

    • As a devout Catholic Mary faced challenges from Protestants

    • Mary decided to burn 300 Protestant heretics 

  • Marriage 

    • Mary married the Catholic King Philip II of Spain who caused political and domestic problems for Mary

  • Being a female ruler

  • Failing to produce an heir 

• Elizabeth learnt from Mary’s experiences as monarch as guidance throughout her reign 

• When Mary I died in 1558 Elizabeth was named Mary’s heir 

• Elizabeth became the Queen of England in November 1558