The end of the Tudors
The issue of succession had been a concern of Elizabeth's government ever since she came to the throne. Her advancing age heightened these concerns but Elizabeth continued to ban discussion on the matter. Many felt that Elizabeth's cousin and godson, James VI of Scotland – the Protestant son of Mary, Queen of Scots – had the best claim to the throne but Elizabeth refused to discuss the issue.
Robert Cecil, the dominant politician of Elizabeth's final years, took it upon himself to arrange for a smooth succession. He felt that James was the best candidate and began secret correspondence with him in March 1601. James had the support of Protestants and also Catholics when his wife, Anne of Denmark, converted to Catholicism in 1601. Anne's conversion also won the support of the Pope for James's accession.
Elizabeth was at Richmond Palace when her health began to fail in February 1603. As her condition deteriorated, on 20 March, Cecil sent James a draft proclamation, which he approved. Surrounded by her Privy Councillors and bishops, Elizabeth died at the age of 69 in the early hours of 24 March 1603. According to the royal chaplain, Dr Henry Parry, it was a 'good death', as
hir Majestie departed this lyfe, mildly like a lambe, easily like a ripe apple from the tree…
Cecil staged a magnificent funeral for the last and most celebrated Tudor monarch on 28 April 1603. Throngs lined the streets to say their farewells and mourn their dead queen.
A few days later, James VI of Scotland rode from Edinburgh to London to take the English throne unchallenged, as James I of England, uniting the two crowns and ushering in the Stuart dynasty.