Succession Decision
Elizabeth is informed that the Privy Council has accepted her succession
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1558 in England — Page 2
Explore 93 historical events and records for England in 1558.
Historical records for England in 1558
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 93 unique records.
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November
Rumours of Death
Rumours of Mary's death spread before the official announcement
Accession
Elizabeth succeeds after the death of Mary I
Accession
Elizabeth succeeds Mary as Queen of England
Accession
Formally proclaimed Queen outside the Palace of Westminster
Calais Lament
Later tradition links Mary's deathbed grief with the loss of Calais
Calais Lament
Later tradition links Mary's deathbed sorrow with the loss of Calais
Catholic Restoration Ends
Mary dies and the Catholic restoration soon gives way to Elizabeth’s settlement.
Death of Mary I
Death of Mary I at St James Palace
Death of Mary I
Mary I dies and Elizabeth succeeds to the throne
Death of Mary I
Mary dies and Elizabeth succeeds to the English throne
Death of Mary I
Mary dies at St James Palace after a reign of five years
Death of Mary I
Mary dies at St James Palace and her reign ends
Death of Reginald Pole
Dies shortly after the death of Mary I
Marian Persecutions End
Mary's death ends the burnings of Protestants carried out during her reign
Marian Persecutions End
Mary's death ends the burnings of Protestants under her regime
Memory of Calais
Mary's reign ends with Calais remembered as a severe political loss
News Reaches Hatfield
Elizabeth receives news of Mary's death and her own accession
Proclaimed Queen
Elizabeth is formally proclaimed Queen outside Westminster
Succession
Elizabeth succeeds Mary I and is proclaimed Queen in London
Succession Rival Claim
After Mary I dies the French court backs Mary Queen of Scots claim to England and Ireland
Chief Secretary
Appointed Chief Secretary of State
First Council
Elizabeth begins forming her first Privy Council
Queen's Council
Appointed member of Elizabeth I's Council
William Cecil Appointed
Elizabeth appoints William Cecil as principal secretary
Feria Audience
Elizabeth receives the Spanish ambassador Count de Feria after her accession
Francis Knollys Council
Elizabeth appoints Francis Knollys to her Privy Council
Recognized Successor
Elizabeth is accepted as successor as Mary's health fails
Robert Dudley Advanced
Elizabeth appoints Robert Dudley as Master of the Horse
Succession Supported
Philip supports Elizabeth's succession to block the French-backed claim of Mary Queen of Scots
Thomas Parry Council
Elizabeth brings Thomas Parry into her early governing circle
Will and Succession
Mary accepts arrangements that allow Elizabeth to succeed peacefully
December
Nicholas Bacon Appointed
Elizabeth appoints Nicholas Bacon as Lord Keeper
Elizabeth's Coronation Planning Begins
Elizabeth's council begins organising the first major public ceremonial display of the new reign after her accession in November.
Mary's Funeral Ordered
Elizabeth's government prepares the funeral ceremonies for Mary I
Parliament Summoned
Elizabeth summons her first parliament for the coming year
Religious Policy Planned
Elizabeth's ministers begin preparing a Protestant religious settlement
Religious Reform Planned
Ministers prepare legislation restoring royal supremacy over the Church
Spanish Marriage Question
Elizabeth avoids committing herself to a marriage with Philip II
Other events (month unknown)
Chief Baron Appointed
Appointed Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.