The Royal Progresses Of Elizabeth I And The Pressure They Brought To Tudor England
Royal progresses became especially important during the Tudor period. Rather than staying permanently in London, Tudor monarchs travelled around the country with large households made up of courtiers, servants, guards, musicians, cooks, and officials. Henry VIII travelled widely, partly because he enjoyed hunting and magnificent displays of royal power, but also because rulers needed to be seen by their subjects. In an age without newspapers, photographs, or television, many people would never see their monarch in person in any other way. A visit from the king or queen could therefore feel almost unbelievable.
By the reign of Elizabeth I, royal progresses had become carefully planned political events. Elizabeth travelled across southern England for many summers, staying at the homes of nobles and wealthy courtiers. This allowed her to display her royal authority but it also reduced some of the financial strain that came with feeding the enormous royal household at court. Noble families would often spend huge amounts of money in order to prepare for her arrival. Hosting the queen could improve status and influence, so they took full advantage. But if you failed to impress her you could be humiliated and it could even be politically damaging.
Preparations for a royal progress usually began weeks or even months ahead of time. Roads might need to be repaired, buildings cleaned, and the decorations prepared. Local officials would have worried about the organisation and the expense. Villages and towns could suddenly find themselves responsible for feeding hundreds of people and providing accommodation for royal servants, horses, carts, and guards. Fresh food, ale, candles, firewood, and bedding all had to be found. For poorer communities this could cause real anxiety because the costs were sometimes so overwhelming.
Despite all of the pressure, many people probably still felt a level of excitement. Church bells would ring out when the monarch was approaching. Crowds gathered along the roads in the hopes of getting a glimpse of the royal procession.
It may well have been a time that children remembered for the rest of their lives. Some towns organised plays, music, speeches and huge elaborate welcomes that were filled with symbolism praising the monarch. One famous progress happened in 1575 when Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, hosted Elizabeth for nearly three weeks at Kenilworth Castle. The entertainment was extraordinary. There were fireworks, bear baiting, hunting, dancing, musicians, masques, and large outdoor performances. Actors that were dressed as characters from classical mythology greeted the queen, and there were dramatic speeches praising her wisdom and beauty. At one point, a performer pretending to be the “Lady of the Lake” appeared on the water to welcome Elizabeth. Dudley spent a fortune on the visit, partly because many people believed he still hoped to marry her. People understood that the queen’s reaction mattered greatly.
Not everyone welcomed progresses as warmly though. While the nobles might compete for royal favour, ordinary labourers most likely resented the extra taxes, additional labour demands or the rising prices they had to pay to fund the visit. Inns became overcrowded and supplies would quickly disappear. Some villagers may have been worried about saying or doing the wrong thing in front of royal officials.
For a short time, the ordinary villages and market towns of England were transformed by the glitzy world of Tudor royalty.
Do you think that you would have felt excitement or would you have been worried about the disruption and expense it would bring?
Image info:
Artist: Attributed to Robert Peake the Elder
Date: 1600
Procession portrait of Elizabeth I
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