Queen Elizabeth I of England:
In what ways was she an absolute ruler and in what ways was she not?
John Calvin Perry // Max Miller
Elizabeth I of England was indubitably a great leader who successfully progressed England during her rule, but the extent of her absolute leadership can be disputed. She exemplified both ends of the absolute spectrum, sometimes stubbornly doing whatever she wanted, and other times displaying great love to her subjects. Some of the affection towards her subjects was more of a political act, but there were just as many times where it seemed real to her people. Either way, her mix of unrestricted power and relenting love caused her subjects to both love and fear her, which is ultimately what allowed for an effective reign. Because Elizabeth I had moments of both wrath and endearment, it is almost impossible to classify her as either absolute or not.
In 1588, in the midst of her troops preparing for battle against the Spanish Armada, Elizabeth I was right there with them, rallying and encouraging them. “Let tyrants fear; I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good will of my subjects. And therefore I am come amongst you at this time, not as for my recreation or sport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all” (Elizabeth I, Speech Against the the Spanish Armada). By saying that she has placed her utmost strength and safeguard in her subjects’ hearts, she is saying that she trusts them, even so much as to put her life and safety in their hands. She goes on to say that she there on the battlefield to live or die amongst them. This is a very humble, down-to-earth statement, letting her soldiers and subjects know that she is not too high up on her throne to ignore them. She proves to them that she cares for their well-being, and is willing to bring herself down to their ranks, even though she is a queen. Years before, in 1559, Elizabeth had made a list of religious injunctions soon after coming to power the year before. These injunctions were issued to bring back the Protestant Church’s power in England. “All which Injunctions her highness willeth and commandeth her loving subjects obediently to receive, and truly to observe and keep, every man in their offices, degrees, and states, as they will avoid her highness's displeasure, and pains of the same hereafter expressed” (Elizabeth I, Introduction of Injunctions). She commands her subjects to obediently listen to, receive, and carry out these injunctions, without almost any regard to their beliefs or religious thoughts. The end of the introduction of injunctions also states that the subjects should obey all of these rules for the sake of avoiding her highness’s displeasure. Through the injunctions, she is showing her subjects that whatever she says goes, and that they will have to play by her rules throughout her reign. This is a strong first impression upon her nation, putting both fear and respect into her subject’s minds, but also showing them that she can and will be an absolute ruler.
Throughout Elizabeth I's reign she displayed many times her intellect and her ability to take time to make calculated decisions, a skill that many monarchs before her lacked. By improving her relationship with parliament she was able to “transform the language of politics into a language of love” (Stephen J. Greenblatt, Encyclopedia Britannica). She demonstrated these skills in her famous Golden Speech in 1601 where she to promised change in England, to a parliament that was strongly opposed to her monarch style of leadership. “I do assure you, there is no prince that loveth his subjects better, or whose love can countervail our love. There is no jewel, be it of never so rich a price, which I set before this jewel; I mean, your love: for I do more esteem of it, than of any treasure or riches” (Elizabeth I, Encyclopedia Britannica). Elizabeth saying this proves that even though she had the power to be harsh and rule using fear, and at times did, she also at other times appealed to the views of the people and chose to see them in a loving way. This complicates whether Elizabeth was absolute or not because it shows that she was not only under the influence of parliament who she had to answer to, but was also under the influence of the people whose opinion she cared about. A true, complete monarch would not be influenced by other sources, and would even punish people who disagreed with them. "I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too; and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm." This quote shows how Elizabeth I acknowledges that although she is a woman she has the mindset of a powerful king and she will rule as so. This proves that she is an absolute ruler, and will not only rule as one within her own country's borders, but will carry over that mindset of being all-powerful when coming into contact with other European countries.
Throughout Elizabeth I's reign she displayed many times her intellect and her ability to take time to make calculated decisions, a skill that many monarchs before her lacked. By improving her relationship with parliament she was able to “transform the language of politics into a language of love” (Stephen J. Greenblatt, Encyclopedia Britannica). She demonstrated these skills in her famous Golden Speech in 1601 where she to promised change in England, to a parliament that was strongly opposed to her monarch style of leadership. “I do assure you, there is no prince that loveth his subjects better, or whose love can countervail our love. There is no jewel, be it of never so rich a price, which I set before this jewel; I mean, your love: for I do more esteem of it, than of any treasure or riches” (Elizabeth I, Encyclopedia Britannica). Elizabeth saying this proves that even though she had the power to be harsh and rule using fear, and at times did, she also at other times appealed to the views of the people and chose to see them in a loving way. This complicates whether Elizabeth was absolute or not because it shows that she was not only under the influence of parliament who she had to answer to, but was also under the influence of the people whose opinion she cared about. A true, complete monarch would not be influenced by other sources, and would even punish people who disagreed with them. "I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too; and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm." This quote shows how Elizabeth I acknowledges that although she is a woman she has the mindset of a powerful king and she will rule as so. This proves that she is an absolute ruler, and will not only rule as one within her own country's borders, but will carry over that mindset of being all-powerful when coming into contact with other European countries.
Marriage was something that was expected of women, especially of royal descent, at the time, so when Elizabeth started refusing to be married, and turned down every man who came for her hand, it stirred up a lot of commotion. “Probably at the core of Elizabeth’s decision to remain single was an unwillingness to compromise her power. Sir Robert Naunton recorded that the queen once said angrily to Leicester, when he tried to insist upon a favour, ‘I will have here but one mistress and no master.’ To her ministers she was steadfastly loyal, encouraging their frank counsel and weighing their advice, but she did not cede ultimate authority even to the most trusted. Though she patiently received petitions and listened to anxious advice, she zealously retained her power to make the final decision in all crucial affairs of state” (Stephen J. Greenblatt, Encyclopedia Britannica). Elizabeth was probably most famously known for never marrying anyone and refusing countless offers of marriage from many powerful men. She did not want to marry because that would decrease her absolute power, and take away from her ability to solely rule by herself. This is one of the best examples of Elizabeth's ability to have true power, and to be able to control that power through her decisions. But contrary to Elizabeth's need for power solely to herself, she did not rule completely alone. “In Parliament, Elizabeth ruled through her Privy Council. This included men such as the earl of Leicester, Lord Burghley, and later the Earl of Essex. They were her council in times of decision and had influence over the queen. Throughout her reign” (Kings College Departments). Queen Elizabeth did not truly rule alone because she had a council of advisors in which she used for advice and ruled through. This shows that she was not absolute to the extent that she would not let anyone help her, or give anyone below her even the slightest bit of power. She knew that in order to be a successful leader, she had to put aside being all-powerful in some situations, and look to other people for help or guidance.
One of the major factors to look at when looking at the absolutism of a monarch is religion. Religion was one of the most relevant topics of many monarchs’ rule because of the controversy that came with it. “Item, all the [queen's] faithful and loving subjects shall from henceforth celebrate and keep their holy day according to God's will and pleasure; that is, in hearing the word of God read and taught, in private and public prayers, in acknowledging their offences to God, and amendment of the same, in reconciling themselves charitably to their neighbours, where displeasure hath been, in oftentimes receiving the communion of the very Body and Blood of Christ, in visiting of the poor and sick, using all soberness and godly conversation” (Elizabeth I, Injunction XX). Elizabeth forces her subjects to follow these religious thoughts and activities, according to her views, because she wants to have control over her subjects’ religious views. This is, without a doubt, a strong example of her demonstrating absolutism in how she had total control over her subjects. But who had control over her? “For the other part, the manner of your petition I do well like of and take in good part, [...]. If it had been otherwise, I must needs have misliked it very much and thought it in you a very great presumption, being unfitting and altogether unmeet for you to require them that may command or those to appoint whose parts are to desire, or such to bind and limit whose duties are to obey, or to take upon you to draw my love to your likings or frame my will to your fantasies” (Elizabeth I, Fordham University). When Elizabeth was addressed about her marriage and her willingness to produce an heir, she responded to parliament with annoyance and unhappiness to their probing into her personal life. This shows that parliament not only had access to Elizabeth's life, but they also had some power over her because they called her into parliament to answer and explain her actions, which shows their influence and proves that Queen Elizabeth wasn't completely absolute.
It is nearly impossible to determine if Elizabeth I of England was an overall absolute ruler or not, because she displayed so many signs of both positive and negative views on absolutism. She was both loving and strict with her subjects, and therefore both sides can be equally argued. Her actions throughout her reign showed her nation that she was willing to be a successful, female leader, and that she wouldn’t let anyone stop her because she was a woman nor take from her individual power. She even went so far as to not marry anyone during her entire reign over England, so that she wouldn’t have to give up her absolute power and freedom. However, she did show her subjects great kindness and love, and proved multiple times that she was on their side and would even be alongside them during battle to prove her loyalty and trust. Since she was so precise and intentional with her actions, exhibiting a mix of dominance and gentleness, her subjects and nations fearfully loved her, and no one could ever pinpoint whether she was a true absolute ruler or not.
Works Cited
Briscoe, Alexandra. "Queen Elizabeth I of England." Department of Kings.
Women's History, departments.kings.edu/womens_history/elizabeth.html.
Women's History, departments.kings.edu/womens_history/elizabeth.html.
Accessed 18 May 2017.
"Elizabeth I: Injunctions (1559)." World History: The Modern Era, ABC-CLIO, 2017, worldhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1807179. Accessed 18 May 2017.
"Elizabeth I: Speech against the Spanish Armada (1588)." World History: The Modern Era, ABC-CLIO, 2017, worldhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/354572. Accessed 18 May 2017.
"Elizabeth I." World History: The Modern Era, ABC-CLIO, 2017, worldhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1920789. Accessed 18 May 2017.
Accessed 18 May 2017.
Greenblatt, Stephan J. "Elizabeth I." Britannica Concise Encyclopedia,
Britannica Inc., 8 Mar. 2017, www.britannica.com/biography/Elizabeth-I.
Halsall, Paul. "Modern History Source Book: Queen Elizabeth I of England Select
Writings and Speeches." Fordham Source book, Fordham University. Fordham
University Database, sourcebooks.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/elizabeth1.asp.
Accessed 18 May 2017.
Hanson, Marilee. "Queen Elizabeth I: Biography, Facts, Portraits & Information" <a href="https://englishhistory.net/tudor/monarchs/queen-elizabeth-i/">https://englishhistory.net/tudor/monarchs/queen-elizabeth-i/</a>, January 31, 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment