Analysis of Machiavellian Principles in Queen Elizabeth I's Policies

This essay examines the extent to which Queen Elizabeth I's reign from 1558 to 1603 aligned with the Machiavellian principles outlined in 'The Prince'. The essay argues that although Elizabeth likely did not read Machiavelli's writings, her actions and policies reflected key Machiavellian ideas. It explores her religious policies, including her tolerant approach and repressive stance towards Catholicism, mirroring Machiavelli's views on the monarch's behavior. Furthermore, it analyzes her domestic and foreign policies, such as her image management campaign as Cult Gloriana, her relationships with France, and her handling of Queen Mary of Scotland's revolt, demonstrating how she employed strategies of both tolerance and harshness to secure her throne. The essay concludes that Elizabeth I's leadership style and decisions were strongly influenced by Machiavellian principles, making her a practical example of a Machiavellian ruler.

Running Head: HISTORY ESSAY
HISTORY ESSAY
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1HISTORY ESSAY
The Machiavellian principles are considered to be one of the major theories of political
science and illustrates the process to be a good ruler. In fact, Machiavellian is identified as the
Founder of the Modern Political Science. In this context, the ‘Prince’ is very relevant. However,
the essay is going to analyse the impact of Machiavellian principles of Queen Elizabeth I who
ruled England from 1558 to 1603.
It can be argued that Queen Elizabeth did not read the accounts of Machiavelli but
encompassed similar attributes that Machiavelli ascribed in his writings. As far as the religious
policy of Queen Elizabeth I was concerned, she liked to decide her religious point of view
different from her father King Henry VIII (MacCaffrey, vol. 780). The Machiavellian principles
advocated about the attitude of the monarch in the light of the prince must be merciful rather
than cruel (Fuller 1-40). Subsequently, in the religious policy of Elizabeth I it can be found that
she followed a tolerant attitude over her subjects. In fact the Machiavellian principle of the
monarch must possess the characteristics of man and beast are also related to it as Elizabeth I
had a repressive attitude towards the Catholicism (Lahtinen 393).
On the other hand, the domestic policy of Elizabeth I could also resembled with the
political doctrines stated by Machiavelli. Precisely, the leadership quality that Machiavelli
envisioned and portrayed in his accounts as the ideal characteristics of the monarchs had also
resemblance in the behaviour of Elizabeth I. For an instance, Elizabeth became popularised
across her kingdom because of her direct meetings with the subjects. This was also argued by
Machiavelli in the form of “the best fortress which a prince can possess is the affection of his
people” (Lahtinen 393). Henceforth, Elizabeth I knew that what kind of leadership the society
was expected and how to deal with the subjects and the purposes. In fact, the image of Cult

2HISTORY ESSAY
Gloriana was a campaign initiated by Queen Elizabeth I in order to establish a powerful image
and catering better public relations so that in case of crisis they could support her (Lake 133).
In case of the foreign policy Elizabeth put emphasis on both tolerance and harsh decision
in case of any threat to the English throne. For example, during Elizabeth’s reign Queen Mary of
Scotland tried to stage a revolt against the English crown. In response to this, Elizabeth
developed a relationship with the French monarch and avoided further intervention of France in
English soil (Lake 380). This was a bold step taken by Elizabeth I as the French king was eager
to ascend the throne of Britain. The Machiavellian principles rightly underlines such measures as
that the prince must be a fox to recognise the snares (Fuller 29). On the other hand, the revolt of
Queen Mary was suppressed intensely because as Machiavelli remarked that a lion to frighten
the wolves (Lahtinen 393).
From the above discussion it can be concluded that the quality of a monarch that Queen
Elizabeth I resembled in her personality was rightly followed the Machiavellian principles.
Therefore, it can be argued that the decisions and actions taken by Queen Elizabeth I was aligned
with the teaching of Prince illustrated by Machiavelli.

3HISTORY ESSAY
References
Fuller, Timothy, ed. Machiavelli's Legacy:" The Prince" After Five Hundred Years. University
of Pennsylvania Press, 2016.
Lahtinen, Mikko. "Machiavelli Was Not a Republicanist, Or Monarchist: On Louis Althusser’s
‘Aleatory’Interpretation of The Prince." The Radical Machiavelli: Politics, Philosophy, and
Language (2015): 393.
Lake, Peter. Bad Queen Bess?: libels, secret histories, and the politics of publicity in the reign of
Queen Elizabeth I. Oxford University Press, 2016.
MacCaffrey, Wallace T. Queen Elizabeth and the Making of Policy, 1572-1588. Vol. 780.
Princeton University Press, 2014.