England - Periods - Tudor 1485-1603

Elizabeth Dies

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Elizabeth I's health declined in the later years of her reign. She suffered from a number of ailments, including insomnia, stomach problems, and inflammation of the joints. Despite her declining health, Elizabeth continued to carry out her duties as queen and remained active until the end of her life.

In early 1603, Elizabeth fell ill with what was thought to be pneumonia. She refused to go to bed or to see a doctor, believing that her illness was a passing cold. However, her condition worsened, and she was eventually moved to her bedchamber at Richmond Palace.

As Elizabeth's health deteriorated, she became increasingly weak and unable to speak. She was tended to by her ladies-in-waiting, who tried to keep her comfortable and ease her pain. On March 24, 1603, Elizabeth lost consciousness and was no longer able to communicate.

Elizabeth died the following day, on March 25, 1603, at the age of 69. Her death marked the end of the Tudor dynasty and the beginning of the Stuart dynasty, as her cousin James VI of Scotland became James I of England.

The exact cause of Elizabeth's death is not known. It has been suggested that she may have died of pneumonia or blood poisoning, but there is no definitive answer. Elizabeth's body was embalmed and lay in state at Richmond Palace for several weeks before being moved to Westminster Abbey for her funeral.

Elizabeth's death was a significant event in English history, and she was mourned by her subjects. She was buried with great ceremony at Westminster Abbey, and her tomb remains a popular tourist attraction to this day.

In conclusion, Elizabeth I's health declined in the later years of her reign, and she suffered from a number of ailments. She fell ill in early 1603 and died on March 25, 1603, at the age of 69. The exact cause of her death is not known. Elizabeth was tended to by her ladies-in-waiting in her final days and was surrounded by them when she died. Her death marked the end of the Tudor dynasty and the beginning of the Stuart dynasty, and she was buried with great ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

After Elizabeth I's death in 1603, the English crown passed to her closest living relative, James VI of Scotland, who became James I of England. James was Elizabeth's first cousin once removed, and he was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, who had been executed during Elizabeth's reign.

The succession of James I was carried out through a document called the "Devise for the Succession," which Elizabeth had drawn up in 1571. The Devise outlined the order of succession in the event of Elizabeth's death, and it named James as the heir to the English throne. However, Elizabeth never officially recognized James as her successor, and she never signed the document.

After Elizabeth's death, the Privy Council, which was the group of advisors who had served Elizabeth during her reign, declared James to be the new king of England. James was then invited to travel to England, where he was crowned king at Westminster Abbey on July 25, 1603.

The succession of James I was largely peaceful, as there was no major opposition to his claim to the throne. James was a popular choice among the English nobility, and he was seen as a strong and capable leader. He also had strong ties to England, having been born to an English mother and having married an English woman, Anne of Denmark.

In conclusion, after Elizabeth I's death in 1603, the English crown passed to James VI of Scotland, who became James I of England. James was named as Elizabeth's heir in the Devise for the Succession, and he was officially recognized as the new king by the Privy Council. The succession of James I was largely peaceful, and he was a popular choice among the English nobility.

Assassination Attempts

There were several attempts to assassinate Elizabeth I during her reign. Many of these attempts were carried out by Catholic extremists who opposed Elizabeth's religious policies and saw her as a heretic and an illegitimate queen. The most famous of these attempts were:

The Ridolfi Plot (1571): This plot was organized by Roberto di Ridolfi, an Italian banker and agent of the Pope. The plot involved a plan to assassinate Elizabeth and replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots, who was seen as a more acceptable Catholic monarch. The plot was uncovered, and Ridolfi was arrested and executed.

The Throckmorton Plot (1583): This plot was organized by Francis Throckmorton, an English Catholic who had spent time in France. The plot involved a plan to assassinate Elizabeth and install Mary, Queen of Scots, on the English throne. The plot was discovered, and Throckmorton was arrested, tortured, and executed.

The Babington Plot (1586): This plot was organized by Anthony Babington, an English Catholic who had traveled to France and was in contact with Mary, Queen of Scots. The plot involved a plan to assassinate Elizabeth and install Mary, Queen of Scots, on the English throne. The plot was uncovered, and Babington and his co-conspirators were executed.

The Gunpowder Plot (1605): This plot was organized by a group of English Catholics led by Robert Catesby. The plot involved a plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill King James I, who had succeeded Elizabeth as king. The plot was uncovered, and the conspirators were executed.

In addition to these well-known plots, there were other attempts to assassinate Elizabeth during her reign. These included attempts by individuals who were not associated with any particular plot, such as John Felton, who tried to kill Elizabeth with a knife in 1579, and John Somerville, who shot at her with a pistol in 1583.

In conclusion, there were several attempts to assassinate Elizabeth I during her reign, most of which were carried out by Catholic extremists who opposed her religious policies. These attempts included the Ridolfi Plot, the Throckmorton Plot, the Babington Plot, and the Gunpowder Plot, as well as other individual attempts. While these plots were not successful, they demonstrated the level of political and religious tension in England during Elizabeth's reign.

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Reference: Article by Greg Scott (Staff Historian), 2024

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