List of Elizabethan succession tracts facts for kids
The succession tracts were special writings from the time of Elizabeth I of England and James I of England. These writings talked about who should become the next ruler after Queen Elizabeth. They discussed who had the best legal claim and what made a good king or queen. People wrote these tracts to support their favorite candidate or to argue against others.
Contents
What Were Succession Tracts?
Succession tracts were like long essays or books. They were written by different people, including lawyers, scholars, and even future kings. The main goal was to figure out who had the right to be the next monarch. This was a big deal because Elizabeth I had no children. So, there was no clear heir to the throne.
People debated many things in these writings. They looked at family trees and old laws. They also thought about whether the next ruler should be chosen by birth or by other means. These discussions were very important for the future of England.
Early Debates: Who Should Rule?
In the early years, many people wondered who would take over after Elizabeth. Some of the first writings appeared in the 1560s. These tracts often supported different family lines.
One important writer was John Hales. In 1563, he wrote a paper that argued against Mary Queen of Scots. Mary was Elizabeth's cousin and Queen of Scotland. Hales instead supported Lady Catherine Grey. She was another royal relative.
Other writings also appeared around this time. Some supported the "Suffolk claim." This was another family line related to the English throne. These papers often said that Scotland was a foreign country. This meant Mary, being Scottish, should not rule England. They even used examples from history, like John of England. He became king even though his nephew, Arthur I, Duke of Brittany, was born in a foreign land.
A lawyer named Edmund Plowden wrote a paper in 1567. He argued that Mary Queen of Scots *could* inherit the throne. He said that old laws about foreigners inheriting property didn't apply to a queen.
Later Debates and Royal Claims
Later, in 1581, a new law was passed. This law made it illegal to publish or even talk about who should succeed the Queen. But people still wrote these tracts in secret. The debate continued, especially as Elizabeth grew older.
The Doleman Tract: A Big Discussion
One of the most famous tracts was published in 1594. It was called A Conference about the Next Succession to the Crowne of Ingland. It was written by a group of people using the name R. Doleman. Many thought Robert Persons was the main author.
This book looked at about 14 different people who could possibly be the next ruler. It explored five different royal family lines. The Doleman tract suggested a very new idea. It said that an elective monarchy might be better. This means the ruler would be chosen, not just born into the role. This was a big change from the usual idea of a hereditary monarchy, where power passes down in a family. Most other writers disagreed with this idea.
King James's Response
James VI of Scotland was a strong candidate for the throne. He was Mary Queen of Scots' son. In 1598, James wrote his own book called The Trew Law of Free Monarchies. This book was his answer to the Doleman tract.
James argued for the divine right of kings. This idea says that a king's power comes directly from God. It means kings are not chosen by people or parliaments. James's book said that parliaments should not decide who becomes king. He also argued against the idea that people could resist a king.
Other writers also supported James's claim. Alexander Dicsone wrote a book in 1598. It was specifically asked for by James. Dicsone's work answered the main points raised against James. These included his Scottish birth and his mother's legal problems.
Why Were These Writings Important?
These succession tracts were very important. They showed how people thought about power and government in England. They also helped shape public opinion. Even though some were written in secret, they influenced many important people. They helped prepare the way for James VI of Scotland to become James I of England when Queen Elizabeth died in 1603.
See also
