Why did Queen Elizabeth I never marry?

Answer 1

• There is a strong possibility that she was averse to losing power and control of her country if she married. This would have happened (in that era) because she was female.

• There are many theories why Elizabeth did not marry, ranging from loss of power to religious issues. Elizabeth did negotiate marriage with Eric of Sweden, a protestant, but when his father died, he would not have been able to come to England anyway. (The main purpose of marriage is to secure an heir.) However, it has been argued that Elizabeth never intended to marry and so made up excuses such as religion. Concerning her 'lovers' and Robert Dudley there is no absolute proof that Dudley and Elizabeth were lovers. Some historians argue that Elizabeth was psychologically averse to a sexual relationship. When Dudley's wife died it raised scandal in court- his enemies saw this as the perfect opportunity to destroy his political career, and it worked- for the most. There were rumors, started by the same sort, of Elizabeth's illegitimate children by him, but it is almost certain this was nothing more than scandal. This question of why Elizabeth I did not marry is not a simple issue and there is much more one could say.

• Elizabeth did receive many offers of marriage and considered several suitors. She kept the marriage question open for many years but often only as a political or diplomatic tactic. It is thought that she was in love with childhood friend Lord Robert Dudley (later created Dudley Earl of Leicester) but he was a married man. Amy Dudley, his wife, died in 1560 after falling down a flight of stairs. The coroner's inquest finding was accidental death. However, some people suspected Dudley had arranged his wife's death so that he could marry Elizabeth. Elizabeth did consider marrying him but some peers of the realm made clear their disapproval of him and the question mark over his wife's death. There was a strong possibility that the nobility would rise against Elizabeth if the marriage took place, and she could not take that risk. Dudley later remarried. However, Elizabeth maintained a close friendship with him for over 30 years until his death 1588. She continued to consider suitors until she was about 50 years of age. No one can be sure why Elizabeth chose not to marry. However, perhaps more than anything else she did not want to risk losing power to a man. Having never married and had children, Elizabeth I was the fifth and final monarch of the Tudor dynasty.

Answer 2

Elizabeth was famous for being the Virgin Queen . She would have thrown this away if she had kids . Also , she would have to marry , being Protestant , before she could have children , therefore being ruled over by a man , which she said herself she would never do . Also , as I recommend to ANYONE who asks about E. R. [ Queen Elizabeth the first , E standing for Elizabeth , obviously , and R standing for Regina , meaning "queen" in Latin , so Queen Elizabeth , and because there are two , I specify that I am referring to HRM , her royal majesty , Queen Elizabeth I] research her .

Answer 3

She might have had all sorts of reasons; but the clue to the best reason is the facty that, on her death, the thrones of England and Scotland were united under James I/VI. Had Elizabeth had children, the two countries might still be separate.

Answer 4

When Henry VIII finally met Anne of Cleves in 1540, he was not pleased with what he saw. He was angry because he said she was not as fair as he had been told, and her recent portrait flattered her. He did go through with the marriage, but refused to consummate it because he did not like the look of Anne, referring to her as a 'Flanders mare.' He decided to divorce her and the marriage was annulled because of non-consummation and also because she had had a previous (unfulfilled) marriage contract.

Anne did get a generous settlement, including Richmond Palace and Hever Castle (Anne Boleyn's old family home). She did not remarry and therefore died childless.