8th Parliament of Elizabeth I

At the time parliament was called, the Spanish and English were in the midst of ongoing strife that began decades prior and threatened the prosperity of England.

Philip II of Spain was in frequent competition with Elizabeth for influence and resources in the New World and sought to weaken England’s sway in the region.

[3] By 1588 the Spanish Armada had been successfully prepared for battle and began an invasion of England led by the duke of Medina Sidonia who sailed with 130 ships carrying 29,453 men in total.

[7] On March 7 member of Parliament Sir Henry Unton continued discussions on the Spanish threat in the House of Commons noting, “They [the Spanish] prepare mighty forces in many places, thretninge us therewith and doe use all manner of treasons and trecheries to woorke their will.”[8] On 24 January Peter Wentworth, the MP for Northampton, sought leave to present a bill for "intayling (restricting) the (royal) succession", for which he was sent to the Tower of London and four other colluding MPs locked in the Fleet Prison for the duration of the session.

James Morice, the MP for Colchester, wanted to introduce two bills to restrict the jurisdiction of the bishops, but the Queen was highly offended and ordered Parliament not to get involved in ecclesiastical affairs.