I read the first 100 pages of "Elizabeth: The Struggle for the Throne" by David Starkey and posted a blog on 1/8/12. The next 100 pages, 101 - 201, I posted a blog on 2/11/12. I completed the book and will review the last pages, 201-323 in bullet point format:
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-Elizabeth pleaded her case in writing, that she was not involved in any rebellion against Mary.
"When the Tudors referred to the biological family, they talked of 'kindred'. 'Family', instead, was employed in the latinate sense of 'household servants'. And that is how Elizabeth is using it here: she is following the official line and blaming everything on the unauthorized actions of her servants, who have 'misused' her by their involvement in so many treasonable plots".
-In 1556, the two sisters relationship continued to improve. Elizabeth was freed from Sir Thomas Pope's supervision. Elizabeth was invited to spend Christmas at court. After her arrival, her invitation was withdrawn and on 12/3, Elizabeth went back to Hatfield.
-The reason for the invitation withdrawal was that Elizabeth refused to marry Emmanuel Philibert, Prince of Piedmont and titular Duke of Savoy. Emmanuel was Philip II's cousin and friend. Perhaps the Habsburgs could find him a wife and Elizabeth was the most promising candidate. Once, Elizabeth refused this marriage, it was not only a blow to Mary but to Philip himself.
-"In January 1557, the French King, Henri II, broke the truce of Vaucelles and resumed the war with the Habsburgs. Two Months later Philip II landed in England. Previously, he had been deaf to Mary's pleas to return. Now, he had his own business to transact. His first concern was to bring England into the war with France; his second was to conclude the marriage between Elizabeth and Emmanuel Philibert, who was now his Chief General in the North." The latter was unsuccessful.
-In 1557, the Venetian Ambassador, Michieli, who was a huge observer of the English scene, wrote his relazione, report. The report illustrates a lot about England, but also has a character-study of the two women who dominated the English political scene, Queen Mary & Princess Elizabeth. "The two portraits are conscious pendants, in which the women are scored against each other. It is as though Michieli recognized that they were at the beginning of the last act of their mutual struggle. At the end of his account, there is not much doubt about who will win".
-In 1558, this was a disastarious year for Mary. Calais was taken under the French army under the Duke of Guise. Calais was more than a place but a symbol. It had been in English hands since its capture by Edward III.
-Mary believed she was pregnant, but not true. She had a tumor and was becoming very ill. The decline in Mary's health, raised the question of who would succeed her. Elizabeth assumed the worst. "For most of Mary's reign, Elizabeth's household had been a hotbed of conspiracy. Servants of Elizabeth's had plotted the raising of troops and the stockpiling of weapons..." Brocket Hall was Elizabeth's operational headquarters.
-On November 6, Mary accepted Elizabeth as her heir. Mary dies 11/16 (Cardinal Pole dies 12 hours later) and Elizabeth becomes Queen.
- Elizabeth divides the counselors into three groups: pre-tudor nobility, office holders who had recently been ennobled by her father, brother, & sister, & finally there were Mary's personal followers. The counselors for Mary met at supper and those that were not welcomed as Elizabeth's counselors, would depart their separate ways. Three of Mary's counselors remained under Elizabeth and they were: Earl of Pembroke, Lord Clinton the Admiral, and William Lord Howard of Effingham. Other members were Archbishop Heath, the Marquess of Winchester, the earls of Shrewsbury and Derby, Sir Thomas Cheyney, Sir William Petre, & Earl of Bedford. The Secretary of State was William Cecil and Master of Horse was Lord Robert Dudley. Other appointments were Parry as Controller of the Household, and Rogers Vice-chamberlain. These three, Cecil, Parry, & Rogers were appointed to the Privy Council.
-Elizabeth stated to Cecil:
"I give you this charge, that you shall be of my Privy Council, and content yourself to take pains for me and my realm. This judgement I have of you, that you will not be corrupted with any manner of gift, and that you will be favorable to the state, and that, without respect of my private will, you will give me that counsel that you think best. And if you shall know anything necessary to be declared to me of secrecy, you shall show it to myself only, and assure yourself I will not fail to keep taciturnity therein."
-Dr. Dee, an Astrologer picked the day of Elizabeth's coronation, which was 1/15/1559.
-After her coronation, the next major topic was religion. The Uniformity bill finally cleared the Commons & Lords. It was tough bill to pass but nonetheless it did.
-Book of Common Prayer became obligatory on 6/24/1559.
-On 6/8/1559, holders of office in Church & State were required to swear the oath of supremacy, recognizing Elizabeth as Supreme Governor of the Church.
-The next issue was Marriage. The council agreed she must marry but never could agree with whom she should marry. She could have married Robert Dudley, but he was not of royal nobility and her marriage to him would have caused chaos in court.
In the end, she does not marry at all.
The above are the main points of the last 130 pages of David Starkey's "Elizabeth: The Struggle For The Thrown". It took me a while to read this book as it had much information to absorb. In fact, down the road, I will have to read it again. The book, itself was very good, however the ending was a bit disappointing. The whole book was about the beginning of Elizabeth's life and how she struggled to survive. At the very end, the Author quickly summarizes twenty years into Elizabeth's reign. In my opinion, the author could have written a second book about Elizabeth as Queen. In any event, I recommend this book to any Tudor follower. It has a lot information, so don't feel overwhelmed. Overall, a must read!
-In 1557, the Venetian Ambassador, Michieli, who was a huge observer of the English scene, wrote his relazione, report. The report illustrates a lot about England, but also has a character-study of the two women who dominated the English political scene, Queen Mary & Princess Elizabeth. "The two portraits are conscious pendants, in which the women are scored against each other. It is as though Michieli recognized that they were at the beginning of the last act of their mutual struggle. At the end of his account, there is not much doubt about who will win".
-In 1558, this was a disastarious year for Mary. Calais was taken under the French army under the Duke of Guise. Calais was more than a place but a symbol. It had been in English hands since its capture by Edward III.
-Mary believed she was pregnant, but not true. She had a tumor and was becoming very ill. The decline in Mary's health, raised the question of who would succeed her. Elizabeth assumed the worst. "For most of Mary's reign, Elizabeth's household had been a hotbed of conspiracy. Servants of Elizabeth's had plotted the raising of troops and the stockpiling of weapons..." Brocket Hall was Elizabeth's operational headquarters.
-On November 6, Mary accepted Elizabeth as her heir. Mary dies 11/16 (Cardinal Pole dies 12 hours later) and Elizabeth becomes Queen.
- Elizabeth divides the counselors into three groups: pre-tudor nobility, office holders who had recently been ennobled by her father, brother, & sister, & finally there were Mary's personal followers. The counselors for Mary met at supper and those that were not welcomed as Elizabeth's counselors, would depart their separate ways. Three of Mary's counselors remained under Elizabeth and they were: Earl of Pembroke, Lord Clinton the Admiral, and William Lord Howard of Effingham. Other members were Archbishop Heath, the Marquess of Winchester, the earls of Shrewsbury and Derby, Sir Thomas Cheyney, Sir William Petre, & Earl of Bedford. The Secretary of State was William Cecil and Master of Horse was Lord Robert Dudley. Other appointments were Parry as Controller of the Household, and Rogers Vice-chamberlain. These three, Cecil, Parry, & Rogers were appointed to the Privy Council.
-Elizabeth stated to Cecil:
"I give you this charge, that you shall be of my Privy Council, and content yourself to take pains for me and my realm. This judgement I have of you, that you will not be corrupted with any manner of gift, and that you will be favorable to the state, and that, without respect of my private will, you will give me that counsel that you think best. And if you shall know anything necessary to be declared to me of secrecy, you shall show it to myself only, and assure yourself I will not fail to keep taciturnity therein."
-Dr. Dee, an Astrologer picked the day of Elizabeth's coronation, which was 1/15/1559.
-After her coronation, the next major topic was religion. The Uniformity bill finally cleared the Commons & Lords. It was tough bill to pass but nonetheless it did.
-Book of Common Prayer became obligatory on 6/24/1559.
-On 6/8/1559, holders of office in Church & State were required to swear the oath of supremacy, recognizing Elizabeth as Supreme Governor of the Church.
-The next issue was Marriage. The council agreed she must marry but never could agree with whom she should marry. She could have married Robert Dudley, but he was not of royal nobility and her marriage to him would have caused chaos in court.
In the end, she does not marry at all.
The above are the main points of the last 130 pages of David Starkey's "Elizabeth: The Struggle For The Thrown". It took me a while to read this book as it had much information to absorb. In fact, down the road, I will have to read it again. The book, itself was very good, however the ending was a bit disappointing. The whole book was about the beginning of Elizabeth's life and how she struggled to survive. At the very end, the Author quickly summarizes twenty years into Elizabeth's reign. In my opinion, the author could have written a second book about Elizabeth as Queen. In any event, I recommend this book to any Tudor follower. It has a lot information, so don't feel overwhelmed. Overall, a must read!
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