The Beginning of Myth
(End of “A Woman Ahead of Her Time Series)
One thing that really fascinated me about Elizabeth was her decision to remain single and rule England herself. From a modern perspective, we have female monarchs and heads of state who are able to marry, enjoy private life and still have the autonomy to lead countries and governments. But keep in mind that Elizabeth is dealing with a very different set of social morals and rules for women in 1558. Women were not considered men’s equal: physically or intellectually. Therefore, it was considered unnecessary, and even impossible for women to receive the same education as her male counterpart since it was deemed to be too physically and mentally challenging. Fortunately, Elizabeth was blessed with both natural intelligence, and also with the opportunity to receive an education from the Royal Tutors, who immediately saw her keen mind and helped her to develop it. This education would come to her aid later on when she had to deal with Parliament and her Privy Council members.
One of the first questions on everyone’s mind was who Elizabeth would marry to secure a royal heir and help her rule. This seems like a straightforward question, but the answer is rather more complicated. There were many things that Elizabeth and Parliament had to consider. One matter of the utmost importance was the issue of an heir. As Elizabeth was the last in her line, Parliament feared that if she died without issue, there would be dissension among Elizabeth’s distant relatives in their bid for the throne which might plunge England into civil war and unrest.
There were many suitors for her hand, for whoever married Elizabeth would not only have a beautiful young wife but also have access to a wealthy and powerful country. However, her suitors had to fulfill certain requirements. One very important requirement was how much say and influence they would have in the governance of England. Ideally, Elizabeth’s husband would be someone of noble or high birth with money and influence to bring into the marriage. Her husband would also be a support in the background, but they would also have to be willing to step back and allow Elizabeth, her Council and Parliament to have the true running of the country. This would be especially crucial if Elizabeth’s future consort was a foreigner. Parliament had already seen the dangers of a foreigner’s influence to the policies of England when Mary married King Philip of Spain, for Queen Mary had been quite infatuated with her husband and had been much influenced by him much to the horror of her Privy Council and Parliament. They hoped to avoid this by carefully choosing from among Elizabeth’s many suitors.
History has made much of their friendship and the extent of their relationship. Were they merely childhood friends, or did Elizabeth nurture a passion for him that she kept till her death? It is a secret which she took to her grave (along with a letter he wrote to her on his deathbed).
Elizabeth however, showed no interest in marrying. Perhaps at first, she dreamed of having a husband and children of her own, but in time, she began to avoid the topic of marriage. Not surprising, considering the tragic outcome of her parent’s marriage, and witnessing King Philip’s disturbing influence over her sister Mary. More likely, I believe that Elizabeth was a very intelligent woman ahead of her time, who realized that if she married, she would be jeopardizing her right to rule with true autonomy and freedom. If she married a fellow European monarch, there was the danger that her husband might try to make claims to the English throne through marriage or interfere in English affairs. On the other hand, if Elizabeth married a high-born Englishman, Parliament might consider her husband a more suitable ruler because of his gender. Elizabeth refused to take these risks, and in the end, declared that she was already married….. to England.
Queen Elizabeth, I broke through various gender barriers that existed in her day in two crucial ways. First, she received a rigorous education; better and more complete than most men of her day could even contemplate receiving never mind surviving. Secondly, in spite of intense pressure, she refused to marry and proved to Parliament and her subjects that she was a capable and dedicated ruler. Elizabeth’s actions proved that if women of her day were given the same opportunities as men, they would have been men’s equal intellectually and politically. Her reign was a long and prosperous one, and Queen Elizabeth I is still remembered today as being one of England’s most important rulers, as well as a woman who didn’t allow her gender and social prejudices to get in the way of her dreams and many achievements.
