Elizabeth & Dudley	Sir William Cecil	Lord Norfolk

     Viewing Disclaimer: This film is rated R for violence and sexual content.  While this content is not blatant or graphic, it does give the film the R-rating.  It is not a requirement that you view this film, but if you chose to do so, it has much historical content that can be studied.

      The story of Elizabeth's ascendency to the throne, this film is full of palace intrigues,
attempted assassinations and executions. The story begins with Englanddivided by faith, Protestant vs. Catholic.  Elizabeth's life is in jeopardy, and her ascendency to the throne of England is much in question.  How she strengthens her position as queen of England is the main focus of this film, based upon the book, Elizabeth, written by Alison Weir.

Study Questions to consider:

    1)  Before she became "The Virgin Queen," Elizabeth was a sexy, spirited girl, with long
         red hair, and a smile that mocked the seriousness of her position as Queen Mary's half
         sister and heiress to the throne. She was fun, well-educated and emotionally tough.
         She needed to be.   What transitions does she have to make in order to be a good
         queen?  Take two areas of her life and deal with them in some detail.

    2)  Elizabeth’s sister, Mary, a Catholic, took the throne following the death of Edward VI.
         Suddenly the tables turned and the Protestants became heretics and up and down the
         land "human bonfires" celebrated a "return to theone true faith."  Mary's brief rowdy
         reign was for five years, from 1553 to 1558, dying on the 17th of November,1558.  What
         did Mary do to attempt a Catholic resurgency in England, and to what extent was she
         effective?

    3)  What is Philip II's agenda as the Husband of Mary, Elizabeth's half sister?  How does he
        hope to accomplish his task after the death of Mary?  How successful is he?  What do
         these things tell you about  Philip and the kind of person he was?

    4)  Who is Mary, Queen of Scots in relation to the English monarchy?  Why is there conflict
         between Elizabeth and Mary, eventually leading to Mary's execution?  Explain clearly.

    5)  Elizabeth had a boyfriend, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester.  What was his Agenda?
         Where did his allegiances lie?

    6)  The Duke of Norfolk is younger than most, a thug with a dominant personality - he growls
         and frowns - and has an inability to believe that anyone else's opinion has as much
         value as his own.  What is his agenda, andhow does he go about trying to accomplish
         it?

    7)  There is also the question of Elizabeth’s succession as she is yet unmarried and her
         death without heir would mean the throne falling back into Catholic hands.  She has
         many suitors but she eventually rejects them all. Identify 5 of these men from the list
         below, expressing their qualities, value in a possible marriage to Elizabeth,and why
         they were not chosen by Elizabeth as a consort.

                              Archduke Charles von Hapsburg
                                 Francis de Valois, Duc d'Alençon et d'Anjou
                                 Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester
                                 King Eric of Sweden
                                 King Philip of Spain
                                 Emanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy
                                 Sir Christopher Hatton
                                 Sir William Pickering
                                 Henry FitzAlan Earl of Arundel
                                 Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk
                                 Sir Thomas Heneage

    8)  England powerless and degenerate state – no treasury, money, no standing army when
         Elizabeth rose to the throne. At that time, Elizabeth was considered rather incapable of
         doing things right, as she was, a female, men being sexist as they were back then.
         Elizabeth assumed control of the throne amid great publicrejoicing. The most capable
         woman of her time, Elizabeth did much within the first few weeks of her ruling.
         England was in a weak state and Elizabeth cultivated it, making England a powerful
         country over years. What specifically was accomplished during Elizabeth’s reign as
         Queen of England?  Be thorough in your summation here.

  9)  In the last scene of the film, Elizabeth has her hair cut and “paints” herself a pale white,
         Why does she do this?  What does it symbolize?  Explain thoroughly.

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