Marriage
Elizabeth I turns down Parliaments appeals for her to marry
Role range: 1558-1603
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Elizabeth I Biography and Timeline — Page 9
Follow Elizabeth I through 434 dated historical records for England.
Elizabeth I, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
434Distinct records
9 of 11Page
1576–1587Years on this page
1576
1577
Prophesyings Suppressed by Royal Order
Elizabeth orders the suppression of prophesyings, fearing that uncontrolled clerical meetings encourage Puritan organisation and challenge episcopal authority.
Role range: 1558-1603
Armament
Offers 20,000 pounds for a Huguenot army to be raised in Germany
Role range: 1558-1603
Huguenot Army
Offers 20,000 pounds for a Huguenot army to be raised in Germany
Role range: 1558-1603
1579
Marriage
Alencon arrives in England to woo Elizabeth I to help invade The Netherlands
Role range: 1558-1603
1580
Knighthood
Knighted for circumnavigation
Role range: 1558-1603
Circumnavigation
Drake returns with treasure from Spanish ships, Elizabeth's share is 160,000
Role range: 1558-1603
1581
Anjou Marriage Contract Drafted
Approves detailed marriage articles with Francis, Duke of Anjou, while reserving a final decision on whether the marriage will actually proceed.
Role range: 1558-1603
Marriage
Alencon arrives in England after Elizabeth has a marriage contract drawn up
Role range: 1558-1603
Marriage
Elizabeth I publicy announces "the Duke of Alencon shall be my husband"
Role range: 1558-1603
Execution of Campion
St Edmund Campion is executed when falsely implicated in a plot against Elizabeth I
Role range: 1558-1603
Diplomatic Negotiations
Elizabeth toys with Alencons marriage negotiations to isolate Spain
Role range: 1558-1603
Marriage
Lends the Duke of Alencon 60,000 pounds to assist him in The Netherlands
Role range: 1558-1603
Subjects' Due Obedience Act Passed
Parliament increases penalties for reconciling English subjects to Rome and for activities challenging allegiance to Elizabeth.
Role range: 1558-1603
Reform of Treason Law
It becomes treasonable to convert to catholicism. A 20 pounds a month for those over 16 who are absent from Sunday Service
Role range: 1558-1603
1583
Diplomatic Mission
Ambassador de Mendoza returns to Spain after the Throckmorton. Ambassador de Mendoza fails to install Mary as Queen
Role range: 1558-1603
Gunpowder Treason Plot
Ambassador de Mendoza fails to install Mary as Queen
Role range: 1558-1603
Execution
Throckmorton is executed for his part in a Catholic plot to install Mary on the throne
Role range: 1558-1603
Gunpowder Treason Plot
Excommunication of 1570 led to Catholic opposition & the Throckmorton plot
Role range: 1558-1603
Rebellion of Rebels in London
Excommunication of 1570 led to Catholic opposition & the Throckmorton plot
Role range: 1558-1603
1584
Bond of Association Signed
Supporters swear to punish anyone who benefits from a plot against Elizabeth, directly linking the queen's personal safety to the future succession.
Role range: 1558-1603
Death of Elizabeth I
Death of Alencon, the last of her suitors
Role range: 1558-1603
1585
Act for the Queen's Safety Enacted
Parliament creates a legal process against claimants implicated in attempts on Elizabeth's life, placing Mary's succession prospects under greater danger.
Role range: 1558-1603
Nonsuch Cautionary Towns Clause
Receives Flushing, Brill and associated positions as security for eventual Dutch repayment of English military expenditure.
Role range: 1558-1603
Nonsuch Dutch Alliance Signed
Concludes a formal alliance with the Dutch rebels, openly committing England to support resistance against Spanish rule in the Netherlands.
Role range: 1558-1603
Nonsuch Troop Commitment
Promises English infantry and cavalry for service in the Netherlands under a senior commander paid by the English crown.
Role range: 1558-1603
Execution of Priests
120 priests are executed between 1581-1603
Role range: 1558-1603
Reform of Government
Priests can be condemned to death for just being priests
Role range: 1558-1603
Jesuits and Seminary Priests Act Passed
Parliament orders Jesuit and seminary priests to leave the realm and criminalises specified assistance to their continued missionary activity.
Role range: 1558-1603
Assassination of William Orange
William the Silent is assassinated, Elizabeth becomes Protector of The Netherlands
Role range: 1558-1603
Capture of Antwerp
The Catholics capture Antwerp making England exposed to Catholic invasion & conversion
Role range: 1558-1603
1586
Death of Elizabeth I
Signs Mary Queen of Scots; death warrant but tries, unsuccessfully, to retain it
Role range: 1558-1603
Execution of Mary Queen of Scots
Signs Mary Queen of Scots; death warrant but tries, unsuccessfully, to retain it
Role range: 1558-1603
Treaty of Berwick
Promises James VI an annual Grant
Role range: 1558-1603
Parliament Petitions for Mary Stuart's Execution
Lords and Commons petition Elizabeth to carry out the sentence against Mary, Queen of Scots, arguing that her survival threatens national security.
Role range: 1558-1603
Arrest of Mary of Scots
Elizabeth will not risk a war to restore Mary & has Mary arrested
Role range: 1558-1603
Exile of Elizabeth I
Crosses the Scottish border & seeks Elizabeth's protection
Role range: 1558-1603
1587
Execution of Mary Queen of Scots
Throws away the death warrant, picked up by Davison who takes it to the Chancellor. Signs Mary Stewarts death warrant
Role range: 1558-1603
Piracy
A further twenty merchantmen and armed pinnaces joined forces with the expedition.
Role range: 1585-1604 – 1558-1603
Piracy
Queen Elizabeth gave the English privateer, Sir Francis Drake, the command of a fleet whose mission was to inspect the Spanish military preparations, intercept their supplies, attack the fleet and if possible the Spanish ports.
Role range: 1585-1604 – 1558-1603
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.