in the fact that Edward VI would be the heir to the thrown. Edward’s uncle, Edward Seymour was named Lord Protector, and through Edward sought to control England. Protestants were happy the young king was on the thrown but feared what would happen if he died. It was common knowledge that Mary, the king’s oldest daughter and next heir would turn England back to Roman Catholism. Some began rallying behind Lady Jane Grey, a descendant of Henry VIII’s sister, Mary.Lady Jane GreyOn July 6,1553 the king died and Lady Jane Grey was proclaimed Queen. Nine days later Mary and her followers rode into England and imprisoned Jane and her followers. Jane was executed February 12,1554 and Mary was the next Queen of England.Queen MaryQueen Mary turned the country back to Roman Cat holism. Since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in order to marry Elizabeth’s mother, Anne of Boleyn, many uprisings were done in Elizabeth’s name. Mary seeing this as a threat held Elizabeth in the Tower of London. When it appeared that Mary had become pregnant, Elizabeth was no longer seen as a threat and was allowed to go back to the Hatfield House, under semi-house arrest. After a few months Mary’s belly began to swell, but no baby was coming. Many modern historians believe that she had a large ovarian cyst, and this is what had lead to her failing health and eventual death in November of 1558.News of Queen Mary’s death reached Elizabeth, and Elizabeth survived to be the infamous Queen Elizabeth I of England.Queen Elizabeth IMany historians see her reign as the start of England becoming a great power. Throughout her reign Elizabeth was faced with many challenges, one of the biggest being what to do about religion. Religion was of fundamental importance in sixteenth century Europe and was a crucial part of people’s lives. When Elizabeth ascended to the English Throne most rulers believed that uniformity ...
