The half-sisters Elizabeth and Mary
I can describe the relationship between Elizabeth and her half-sister Mary.
The half-sisters Elizabeth and Mary
I can describe the relationship between Elizabeth and her half-sister Mary.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- At the age of 21, a young woman called Elizabeth found herself imprisoned in the Tower of London.
- She had been accused of plotting to take the throne by her older half-sister Mary, who was queen.
- It was very likely that Mary might order her to be executed, so Elizabeth wrote her a letter saying she was innocent.
- Although Mary refused to see Elizabeth, she eventually freed her and Elizabeth's life was spared.
- Soon after, Mary died and Elizabeth became Queen of England.
Common misconception
Pupils may think Elizabeth had a right to the throne when her father Henry VIII died.
At this time, the heir to the throne was the first-born son of the King rather than the first-born child.
Keywords
Executed - executed means someone being killed as a legal punishment
Plotting - plotting means to secretly make plans to carry out an illegal or harmful action
Tower of London - the Tower of London is a building used to defend the King or Queen
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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