Those Who TRIED To Wed Elizabeth I...To No Avail Quiz

Answer: Spain

Philip II, ruler of Spain, was married to England's Queen Mary I from 1554 until her death in 1558. Mary's half sister, Elizabeth, then succeeded to the English throne. Philip II promptly supported the move and proposed marriage to her. He wanted to continue the favorable alliance between the two countries. However, he also required Elizabeth, who was a Protestant, to convert to Catholicism.

Elizabeth, knowing the country would be quite upset about that event, turned down the proposal. Disagreements escalated between the two nations for years, culminating in the invasion of the Spanish Armada fleet and its surprising loss to Britain.

Answer: Love letters in Latin

Erik XIV considered himself a true Renaissance Prince. He was skilled in multiple languages, military science, and sporting events. When Elizabeth I ascended the English throne, he began a pursuit of her hand in marriage. He wrote volumes of love letters in Latin and even sent his brother to the court on his behalf. In a style she would often utilize, Elizabeth teased him with sweet words but no real intention of agreeing to a wedding.

In 1560, Erik tried to come personally visit her and seduce her, but his travel plans were ruined when bad weather scattered his fleet. He then pursued multiple other princesses of the realms to no success. Finally, he wed a commoner which infuriated his countrymen. He was later imprisoned, went slowly mad, and was poisoned with arsenic in his pea soup.

Answer: His wife

Both Elizabeth and Robert grew up together and both nearly were executed during the reign of Mary I. When Elizabeth became queen in 1558, Dudley was at her side and she appointed him Master of Horse (responsible for travels of the court). However, he was married from a teenage dalliance. In 1560, his wife was found dead with a broken neck, and many suspected he had her killed.

It was never proven, but the doubt that remained ruined any chance of their potential wedding. He hinted several times for them to be engaged, including an outright proposal in 1565. She evaded the question but continued to insist he be near her at court. Eventually, over the years, Dudley found other women to console him and ended up marrying Elizabeth's cousin. He died at the age of 55 and Elizabeth grieved, keeping a note from him by her bedside until her own death.

Answer: False

Charles II, in 1563, had been a suitor of Mary, Queen of Scots (Elizabeth I's cousin).

Charles II was the son of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor. In 1559 and again, for a four year span between 1564 and 1568, there were multiple negotiations for a marriage between him and Queen Elizabeth. There were several issues in the way. First, Ferdinand wanted a guarantee that Charles would succeed her on the throne if they had no children. Second, Charles was Catholic and not Protestant. Finally, there was the matter of "the Queen's character" (they did not gel).

After having no luck with the English proposals, Charles II married his niece, Maria, and they had fifteen children together.

Answer: 20 years

Henry Fitzalan had been widowed twice when he began pressing his suit with Elizabeth. He lived in Nonsuch Palace, which had been given to him by Queen Mary I, and considered himself quite a catch. He spent hundreds of pounds on jewels to be given to Elizabeth's ladies so that they would speak highly of him. He had himself painted in Hapsburg style in a fancy armchair.

Unfortunately, Elizabeth considered him "not very handsome" and "advanced in years" at the ripe old age of 45. The Spanish ambassador to the English court noted that he was "silly and flighty" and was the only one who seemed to take the courtship seriously. Begrudgingly, Henry stuck around at court for years and helped guide Elizabeth on who or who not she should consider for a potential marriage.

Answer: Knight

William Pickering, son of a knight-marshal to King Henry VIII, was a frequent visitor at Henry's court. Henry's son, King Edward VI, made William a knight and he began a series of foreign trips to work out alliances between England and various countries.

In 1559 he finally returned for good back to England and moved into a home in London. It was rumored that due to his fine reputation, and the fact he was unmarried, he would make a good match for Elizabeth. Ambassadors reported his secret visits to the Queen and extravagant entertainment on her behalf. However, it was not long before he announced "that she intended to die a maid" and voluntarily semi-retired to his home.

Answer: Wyatt Rebellion

Edward Courtenay was favored by Queen Mary I and was considered to be a suitor for her hand in marriage. However, Mary chose the Spanish king, and Edward began looking at her sister Elizabeth as a means to the throne.

The Protestants in the land, led by Thomas Wyatt, rebelled against the Spanish marriage in 1554 but were crushed by the government. Edward and Elizabeth were imprisoned as suspects in the plot to put themselves on the throne. Wyatt was found guilty and executed. Elizabeth was released to court and Edward was exiled to Europe. Elizabeth, furious that she had been caught up in this, blamed Edward and brought his courtship to an end.

Answer: False

Thomas Seymour was the brother of Jane Seymour and the uncle of young King Edward VI. He also was married to Katherine Parr, who was the widow of King Henry VIII. When Elizabeth was fourteen, she was living with Thomas and Katherine. Thomas began to show "inappropriate affection" for Elizabeth and even visited her room in his nightclothes. Elizabeth's governess found it scandalous and Elizabeth was sent away.

A year later, Seymour had become jealous of his own brother and the close relationship to King Edward VI. When his wife Katharine died, he began to scheme how to court and marry Elizabeth and usurp the crown for himself. He was caught and executed. Elizabeth learned at a young age about the perils of schemes, lies, and relationships.

Answer: Frog

Francois (Francis) was born in 1554 in France and contracted smallpox at a young age which left him scarred and with a stunted growth. In 1572, Elizabeth, age 38, was asked to consider the 17 year old for a husband. For years, she let negotiations drag on while she received gifts and letters from France.

In 1759, Anjou visited Elizabeth secretly and she immediately enjoyed his company. She flirted with him and called him her "Frog". When he had to abruptly return home, she wrote a poem about the heartbreak she felt on his departure. Although she was very happy with Anjou, Elizabeth sensed the hostility her countrymen felt about her marrying a Frenchman and called off the negotiations. He died at age 30 and Elizabeth wept for weeks.

Answer: James VI

After Robert Dudley's death, Elizabeth turned some of her affection over to his stepson, Essex. He was 34 years her junior and she gave him several important positions and jobs. In 1599, he went to Ireland and instead of battling the enemy, he tried to make a truce. This infuriated Elizabeth.

After he got back into her good graces, he found out that she refused to renew the lease on his wine farm. He, in turn, decided he would capture the Queen and proclaim James VI as the new ruler. When he led a march in 1601 to do this, very little support greeted him. Elizabeth was horrified at his betrayal and he was executed.