| | | 1550 | Mar - Treaty of Boulogne
The war between England and Scotland and France was ended with the signing of the Treaty of Boulogne. The English withdrew from Scotland.1
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| | 1553 | Jun - Change to Edward VI's will 
Edward signed a change to his earlier will or 'devise' and nominated Lady Jane Grey as heir to the English throne. The change was orchestrated by the Duke of Northumberland and Sir John Gates. Lady Jane Grey had married the Duke's son Guilford Dudley a few months earlier and the will initially stated that Janes's male heirs would be next in line. This was altered when is was seen the Edward would die before she had children so that Jane herself could become Queen.
See AlsoJul - Mary gathers support
At Kenninghall Manor in Norfolk Mary called for support against the Duke of Northumberland and Lady Jane Grey. Large numbers of supporters gathered around her with supplies and weapons.
See AlsoJul 6 - Death of Edward VI
Edward VI died at Greenwich Palace as the age of 15.
See AlsoJul 10 - Lady Jane Grey proclaimed Queen
The Duke of Northumberland proclaimed that his daughter-in-law Lady Jane Grey was the next monarch of England. Jane was moved to the Tower of London. Although Northumberland controlled London many of the town's people supported Mary's claim to the throne.
See AlsoJul 17 - Northumberland's final move
The Duke of Northumberland and a army of some 3,000 men travelled to Cambridge in an attempt to stop Mary. Moving on to Bury St. Edmunds the Duke came up against a much larger army supporting Mary. Accepting defeat, Northumberland was arrested and taken back to London to be held in the Tower.2
See AlsoAug 3 - Mary arrives in London
Mary Tudor arrived at London to a huge welcome. Entering through Aldgate she was met by Elizabeth, Anne of Cleves and many others. Mary quickly ordered the release of her supporters that had been locked up at the Tower of London. The Duke of Northumberland and his supporters were placed in the Tower to await trial and execution.
See AlsoSep 8 - Elizabeth attends mass
Mary and Elizabeth disagreed strongly over religion. Elizabeth refused to attend any Catholic ceremony including the one that Mary had arranged after the death of Edward. Eventually Elizabeth agreed to attend a mass but when the day came she pretended to be ill and only took part under protest.3
See AlsoOct 1 - Mary Tudor crowned
The coronation of Mary Tudor took place at Westminster Abbey. Mary became the first true Queen of England. In the past, Matilda and Lady Jane Grey had come close but neither had ever been crowned.
See AlsoDec - Elizabeth returns leaves court
Issues over religion and succession to the throne became too much for Elizabeth and she requested that she could leave court and return to Hertfordshire and to Hatfield (or Ashridge). Mary granted her request against the advice of her ministers who suspected Elizabeth was preparing to remove Mary from the throne.
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| | 1554 | - Rebellion of Sir Thomas Wyatt
Several groups around the country were unhappy with the proposal of marriage between Mary and Philip of Spain. In Wales a group was led by Sir James Croft. In Devon another group was led by Sir Peter Carew. The Duke of Suffolk was in Leicestershire, but it was only Sir Thomas Wyatt from Kent who managed to get a force together.4
See AlsoJan 26 - Elizabeth summonsed to court
Queen Mary sent a letter to Elizabeth asking her to come to London. This was, Mary said, for her own protection because to the rebels threatening to prevent the marriage of Mary to Philip of Spain. Mary could have been unsure of Elizabeth's involvement in the plots against her and it was best to keep Elizabeth close where she could be watched.4
See AlsoFeb 7 - Wyatt arrested
Sir Thomas Wyatt and this followers reached London but he was to learn that the other groups of rebels around the country had been defeated and their leaders arrested. The entrance into London was blocked by the Londoners whose support for Mary was higher than the rebels. After a short fight the rebels were defeated leaving many dead and Wyatt was captured. on 11th of April 1554. Elizabeth was also held in the Tower for a while as it was suspected she was involved in the plots because she would have benefited if they had succeeded.4
See AlsoApr 11 - Wyatt executed
Sir Thomas Wyatt was executed at Tower Hill for leading the rebellion against Queen Mary. Wyatt denied that Elizabeth had been involved in any part of rebellion.4
See AlsoJul 25 - Marriage of Queen Mary and Philip of Spain
The marriage of Queen Mary and Philip of Spain took place. The marriage was conducted at Winchester Cathedral.
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| | 1557 | Jul 16 - Death of Anne of Cleves
Since the divorce from Henry VIII Anne had been given a good annual income and use of several homes. She died on the 16th or 17th of July, 1557.
See AlsoDec - The Lords of the Congregation
A group of Scottish Lords signed a covenant promising to support the advancement 'the most blessed Word of God' and to push forward the Reformation in Scotland. This was a move against what they saw as the threat from France with that came from the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots to the French Dauphin. They called themselves the Lords of the Congregation.1
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| | 1558 | Apr - Betrothal of Mary and Dauphin Francis
An agreement was reached between the Scottish commissioners and the French king Henry II for the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots and Francis, the Dauphin of France. The terms of the agreement allowed the Scots to maintain their traditional rights and would become united with France when Francis became King of France. It was also agreed that if Mary died without having children the Scottish throne would go to the Earl of Arran.5
See AlsoApr 24 - Marriage and a secret agreement
Mary, Queen of Scots married Francis, the Dauphin of France. A secret marriage agreement was signed by Mary giving control of Scotland to France if she died without having children. 6
See AlsoNov - Elizabeth at London
Elizabeth entered London towards the end of November. She made her way through the crowds of loyal Londoners to the Tower where she stayed for a few days.
See AlsoNov 17 - Queen Mary dies
Queen Mary died at the age of forty two. She was buried at Westminster Abbey.
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| | 1559 | Events occurring at some time during this year Marriage proposal King Gustav, the ruler of Sweden, proposed the marriage between Elizabeth and his son, Prince Eric. A proposal was sent but was refused. Gustav was undeterred by the refusal and sent his younger son, John, to see to if he could persuade the Queen otherwise. 3See Also
The tradition of holding pageants on the eve of the coronation was followed and Elizabeth viewed them all as she made her way from the Tower to Westminster. They were of a political nature showing the problems of the past and hopes for the future.
See AlsoJan 15 - Coronation of Elizabeth
The coronation of Elizabeth I took place at Westminster Abbey. She was crowned by Bishop Oglethorpe of Carlisle as the other more senior bishops refused to crown her due to their reluctance to accept the new Protestant religion.
See AlsoJun - Henry II killed druing a tournament
Henry II, the French king was accidentally killed during a tournament celebrating a wedding. He was succeeded by his son Francis II.5
See AlsoSep - Coronation of Francis II, King of France
Francis was crowned King of France at Rheims cathedral. The ceremony was subdued because of the untimely death of his father.6
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| | 1560 | Events occurring at some time during this year Dudley accused of murder Robert Dudley's wife, Amy, was found dead at home with a broken neck at the bottom of some stairs. Robert Dudley was accused of her murder because it was thought he planned to marry Queen Elizabeth. Dudley was banished from Court while an inquiry was conducted, but he was found innocent. Although Dudley returned to Court rumours still spread about his involvement in the death. 7See Also
Mary Stuart's mother, Mary of Guise, died in Scotland leaving the country in a state of civil war.5
See AlsoDec - Death of Francis II, King of France
Francis suffered from poor health throughout his life and he died at the age of sixteen from an abscess in his brain.6
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| | 1561 | Events occurring at some time during this year Mary tours her kingdom Mary Queen of Scots spent her time visiting the many castles and houses of her country. See Also
After the death of Francis II, Mary Stuart was approached by Spain with a marriage proposal to Don Carlos of Spain. Both being Catholic, the marriage was a prefect choice but it fell through. Mary turned her attention to a return to Scotland.6
See AlsoSpring - Bad weather defeats Eric
Eric left Sweden bound for England with a fleet of ships and gifts and a further proposal of marriage but bad weather ended his plans and he returned to Sweden.3
See AlsoAug 14 - Mary Stuart leaves France
Leaving France from Calais in a small flotilla of ships, Mary Stuart set sail for Scotland. Five days later the ships arrived at the port of Leith, now part of Edinburgh. Mary was met by her half-brother James Stewart5
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| | 1562 | Sep - Treaty of Richmond
This treaty was signed in secret by Queen Elizabeth and Louis Bourbon prince of Condé, the leader of the Huguenots. The Huguenots were French Protestants or French Calvanists. In return for Elizabeth's military assistance in France the prince promised the return of Calais to the English.7
See AlsoOct - Fall of Huntley
George Gordon, the 4th Earl of Huntley rebelled against Mary and at the battle of Corrichie his supporters were defeated by the Earl of Moray. Huntley died at the battle but not from a wound but because he was overweight and the strain of the events was too much for him.6
See AlsoOct - Elizabeth ill with smallpox
Elizabeth came down with smallpox and was seriously ill. Her council feared that she would die and were concerned about who would succeed her. Lady Catherine Grey, who had been mentioned in Henry VIII's will, was a strong candidate to become Queen of England if Elizabeth died. The Earl of Huntingdon (?) was also considered. The problem was avoided as Elizabeth recovered several days later.3
See AlsoWinter - Le Havre occupied by the English
As part of the secret treaty of Richmond, an English garrison was allowed to station itself at Le Havre and would swap the town for Calais once Calais was recaptured. The garrison of around 3,000 men was lead by the Earl of Warwick.7
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| | 1563 | Summer - Le Havre abandoned
The Huguenots abandoned thier treaty with Elizabeth and abandoned the English garrison at Le Harve. An outbreak of the plague struck the garrison leaving many dead or dying. Although reinforcements were sent the Earl of Warwick had little choice but to leave the town and return to England.7
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| | 1565 | Jul 29 - Mary Stuart marries Lord Darnley
Mary, Queen of Scots, married Henry Lord Darnley in the chapel at Holyrood House. Henry then became King of Scotland but in title only as Mary still held all the power of the monarch.
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| | 1567 | Feb 10 - Murder of Lord Darnley
Henry, Lord Darnley, was murdered as he tried to escape from his attackers as they laid gunpowder in his house. His house was destroyed in the explosion. The culprit was thought to be the Earl of Bothwell who was then very close to Queen Mary and it may have been the Queen herself who ordered the killing.6
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Selection of references used:
1. John Prebble,The Lion in the North,
2. J. D. Mackie,The Earlier Tudors,
3. Susan Doran,Queen Elizabeth I,
4. John Grey,Tudor England,
5. Richard Oram,The Kings and Queens of Scotland,
6. Antonia Fraser,Mary Queen of Scots,
7. J.B.Black,The Reign of Elizabeth 1558-1603,
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