Granny Bess & Princess Arbella: Creating an Heir (ep 57)

Making secret marriages, creating the right image, navigating court politics, and escaping in disguise—just another Tudor family story!

From her birth in 1575, Arbella had a claim to the throne. As Queen Elizabeth was in her 40s with no plans to marry, the chances of her giving birth were rapidly diminishing. That represented the end of Henry VIII’s descendants. Then there were the descendants of Henry’s elder sister, Margaret Tudor. Margaret’s son had been James V of Scotland; at his death, his daughter Mary became Queen of Scotland. Now she was an essentially a prisoner in England with her son James VI reigning in her stead. Many in England dismissed all these claimants as they had been born in Scotland and therefore were not eligible for the English throne. But Margaret Tudor’s daughter, Margaret Douglas, had been born in England. So had her two sons, Henry and Charles. Henry, Lord Darnley had been murdered in Scotland (where he had become King by marrying Mary Queen of Scots) in 1567. Charles, Earl of Lennox, died a year after Arbella’s birth.

So from the death of her father in 1576, Arbella was considered by some to be the descendant of Henry VII with the best claim to the throne. 

No one had made a better career of marrying her way to wealth and influence than Bess of Hardwick. The Queen could insist on a single life, demanding her court have but one mistress and no master. But for the rest of the country, a favorable marriage was a woman’s greatest path to wealth and security. With her perceived nearness to the English throne, Arbella was seen as a prime target for men all over England and Europe. For more than 10 years, her name was at the center of potential marriage alliances with the major single princes of Europe. Arbella’s family was determined to create the most profitable alliance for her and for themselves.

Bess of Hardwick commissioned the portrait to raise Arbella’s profile at court and on the continent. Queen Elizabeth even said of Arbella, “Look to her; she will be one day even as I am.” But it’s possible Bess had overplayed her hand. Perhaps the ongoing presence of the young, lovely, marriageable Arbella, who was expecting to be named as heir, was too much for Elizabeth to bear. Bess and Arbella were sent away from court from time to time.

As the years went on, Arbella’s chances of succeeding Elizabeth began to fade. She felt exiled at Hardwick, away from court and repeatedly denied the chance of marriage. Her favor with the Queen was diminishing. Could Bess and Arbella clear the path to Elizabeth's throne?

History shows us what's possible.