Naomi Pullin naomi.wood@warwick.ac.uk The British Problem: Empire, Conflict and National Identities, 1558-1714 Elizabeth, Mary and the Politics of Religion in the British Isles, 1558-1603 Naomi Pullin naomi.wood@warwick.ac.uk

A Game of Thrones England Vs Scotland Elizabeth I (1533-1603) Mary Stuart (1542-1587)

Focus of this lecture Period we will cover: 1558-1603 (the reign of Elizabeth I) 3 key themes: 1. Anglo-Scottish rivalry – each monarch seeking to control the other’s kingdom 2. Religious division in each kingdom –ideas suggest loyalty to true religion more important than loyalty to monarchs: John Knox debates whether ‘obedience is to be rendered to a magistrate who enforces idolatry and condemns true religion’? 3. Changes in international relations – emergence of Spain as a global Catholic power.

Queen of England from 1558 – takes crown from Catholic sister, Mary I Elizabeth I Queen of England from 1558 – takes crown from Catholic sister, Mary I Protestant seeking to restore Reformation in England BUT A young monarch with no political experience or major allies Inherits a kingdom losing power on the world stage

Elizabeth’s religious policy Polarisation in 1558 between Catholic bishops and privy councillors, and returning Protestant exiles who want radical change Elizabeth aims to construct Church that is theologically Protestant but retains hierarchy of bishops and some elements of Catholic ceremony. Key legislation - Act of Uniformity (1559) - 39 Articles (1563)

Elizabeth’s religious policy The results? A church that sounded Protestant but looked Catholic – retains Protestant beliefs, but keeps a lot of traditional Catholic ceremonies Elizabethan Church seen by some admirers as via media (‘middle road’) between religious extremes. Did ‘not seek to make windows into men’s souls’ – willing to tolerate, so long as they demonstrated outward conformity.

The Catholic threat to Elizabeth I Catholic threat in England: 1569 – rising of the Northern Earls: reflects antagonism of key aristocratic dynasties (Nevilles and Percys).

Pope Pious V (1504-1572) 1570 Regnans in Excelsis excommunicates Elizabeth and calls for all good Catholics to remove her from power

The Catholic threat to Elizabeth I Catholic threat in England: 1569 – rising of the Northern Earls: reflects antagonism of key aristocratic dynasties (Nevilles and Percys). 1571-72 – Ridolfi Plot 1584 – Throckmorton Plot 1586 – Babington Plot

The British context: Scotland Queen Mary Stuart married Prince Francis, heir to the French crown Marriage triggers rebellion by Protestant Scottish noblemen: the Lords of the Congregation 1560 – Mary of Guise forced to withdraw French troops from Scotland Mary of Guise (1515-1560)

The British context: Ireland Dispossessed Catholic aristocrats (esp. FitzGerald earls) gain support of Papacy Desmond Rebellions (1569-1573 and 1579-1583) in Irish province of Munster Led by James FitzGerald, Earl of Desmond 1579 – 600 papal troops arrive in Ireland to support rebels

The British context: Ireland Poet Edmund Spenser recounts aftermath of rebellions: “they looked Anatomies [of] death, they spoke like ghosts crying out of their graves; they did eat of the carrions, happy where they could find them, yea, and one another soon after, in so much as the very carcasses they spared not to scrape of their graves … that in a short space there were none almost left, and a most populous and plentiful country suddenly left void of man or beast’.

Mary Stuart (Queen of Scots) Comes to the throne aged 6 in 1542 Spends most of childhood in France and marries French Dauphin in 1558 Begins personal rule of Scotland in 1561 after death of Francis Has a claim over the English throne – great granddaughter of Henry VII

Challenges to Mary Protestant rebel Lords of the Congregation resort to English arms to prevent growth of French Catholic influence 1558- 1560. Key Protestant voices include her half-brother James Stuart, earl of Moray and preacher John Knox Ultra-Catholic advocates from Northern Scottish clans, esp. Gordon family Mary remains Catholic, but like Elizabeth, aims for moderate religious policy – accepts power of Scottish Protestants. Historian: Jenny Wormald argues that Mary’s religious policy centred on making a bid for the English throne

Marriage to Lord Darnley Mary marries Catholic, Lord Darnely in 1564 against Elizabeth’s wishes Becomes close to James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell Bothwell responsible for scandalous death of Lord Darnely > forces Mary to abdicate July 1567 - seeks protection of Elizabeth. Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley (1545-1567)

Mary’s threat to Elizabeth Paradox that Mary’s threat increases as power falls in Scotland. Elizabeth has no husband and therefore no heir. Mary has potential to attract English and international Catholic support. Mary therefore a great danger to Elizabeth when she is moved into England (1567).

Philip II (1527-1598) - presides over growth in Spanish power and global ambition

Anglo-Spanish conflict – heightens Catholic peril in the British Isles Spanish back claims of the Duke of Guise (ultra-Catholic) for French throne Aim to help Mary overthrow Elizabeth in England Sparks Throckmorton and Babington Plots (1584, 1586).

1587 Execution of Mary Stuart

Elizabeth I iconography Elizabeth I, ‘Rainbow Portrait’, attributed to Isaac Oliver, 1600 Elizabeth I, ‘The Ditchley Portrait’, Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, 1592

Defender of the Three Kingdoms Sir William Herbert: ‘with stately sceptre guides the British realmes’. and ‘secured the happiness of Ireland … the protection and defence of Scotland … the containment and repulsion of the arrogance, the ambition and cruelty of the Spaniards, the advancement and defence of Christian truth … [and ensured] the destruction and overthrow of the tyranny and deceit of the Antichrist’.

James VI of Scotland (1566-1625) Her Successor? James VI of Scotland (1566-1625)

Conclusions Emerging ideas about changing relationships within the British Isles Conception of union borne out of religious tensions – the only means of defending Protestant faith BUT Raises question of how England and Scotland are going to work together in a changing Europe.