ELIZABETH I’s SUITORS
Elizabeth I wanted a suitor but it couldn’t be just anyone. He really had to be someone of the same religion as she didn’t want anyone that would try to change her religion and that wouldn’t cause an argument between the English and the Spanish as she was trying to find a fair balance.
Elizabeth I strongly considered five suitors:
Philip II of Spain
Eric of Sweden
Lord Robert Dudley
Archduke Charles
Duke of Alencon
Philip II was a strong Catholic. He had been married before to Elizabeth I half sister, the marriage didn’t work very well and everyone came to know this and they became very unpopular.
Elizabeth and her ministers gave him a lot of thought. He was Protestant he was very popular in the country and it was believed that Elizabeth had accepted his proposal there were medals made with him and Elizabeth on them.
Robert Dudley
It was believed that Elizabeth had fallen in love with one of her own subjects, they had been friends since they were children.
Archduke Charles
He was a possible candidate for several years. He was a catholic though and she was protestant.
Francis duke of Alencon
He was a serious contender for Elizabeth’s hand in marriage it seemed Elizabeth quite liked French men.