Recently, some have suggested that Scottish King James stole the English throne after Queen Elizabeth's death in 1603. Although it is impossible to prove Elizabeth really named him as her successor on her death bed, as is usually claimed, that does not mean he gained the crown illegally. Such an idea overlooks the way power worked at that time, and now.
While researching my first physician Baxby historical mystery Paying in Blood, set during that period, I learnt how Cecil managed the succession with formidable political mastery in unprecedented circumstances. In particular, I identified five features which enabled this.
a) Historical Legitimacy
Robert Cecil's authority was built on his and his father William's reputation for reliable government over several decades. Queen Elizabeth relied on them more than any other statesmen. Robert was her Secretary of State, Lord Privy Seal and most prominent Privy Councillor. When she was no longer able to make decisions, during her last days, Robert's reputation was strong enough for him to continue to wield power. This meant he was one of three men in the room when she died, and thus well-placed to manage the succession.
b) Astute Alliances
At that time, Richard Bancroft, the Bishop of London, was the most powerful churchman. He and the ailing Archbishop of Canterbury were also present when the Queen died. Despite having rival interests in other areas, Cecil had built an effective alliance with Bancroft with regards to the succession. Earlier, they both sent representatives north to discuss terms with James, and contrived in the downfall of the Queen's favourite Essex who attempted this independently.
After emerging from the deceased Queen's bedchamber to announce she had named James as her successor, Cecil formed a wider coalition still, convening a 'Great Council' of privy councillors, churchmen, and City dignitaries to govern the country during the interregnum and officially invite the new monarch to take the throne.
c) Dominant Story
Cecil knew their would be opposition to the new Scottish King. One of the first tasks of the new Great Council was to agree the wording of a statement to be read in the capital. Subsequently, as the new King took weeks to travel south, Cecil controlled the pamphlets which provided news, possibly with the King's book Demonology providing a useful distraction.
d) Strategic Vision
Cecil secured a succession which in addition to removing the immediate threat from a separate neighbour, promised future stability through James' children and set the two nations on a longer-term path of increasing collaboration.
e) Plentiful Funds
Whilst Queen Elizabeth and King James were often short of money, Cecil's position at the apex of the patronage system which administered the country, meant he amassed great personal wealth, so could to pay for costs himself, without having to rely on other unreliable sources.
There was nothing inevitable about the succession from Queen Elizabeth to King James. Robert Cecil managed a remarkably smooth transition in particularly difficult circumstances through his political acumen. It is interesting to consider how much contemporary political leaders follow his blueprint.
Karen H
My historical crime novel Paying in Blood, set during the succession from Queen Elizabeth to King James, is available from Sharpe Books on #KindleUnlimited and to buy on Amazon at UK Link and US Link