Foreign affairs

• What was the most contentious issue of Elizabeth's reign?

  The succession
• Why was the issue of succession considered intractable during Elizabeth's reign?

  Because Elizabeth did not wish to marry and her heir until 1587 was a Catholic
• What was Elizabeth's stance on marriage?

  She consistently refused to marry
• What were Elizabeth's fears regarding marriage to an Englishman?

  She feared loss of power and creating a 'favourite' in the Privy Council
• How did Elizabeth's fondness for Leicester affect her political relationships?

  It excited jealousy among other counsellors
• What event scuppered any idea of marriage between Elizabeth and Leicester?

  The sudden and mysterious death of his wife, Amy Robsart
• Why did Elizabeth fear to marry abroad?

  She would not marry a Catholic and would not marry a man she had not met
• What political symbol did Elizabeth create by refusing to marry?

  The Virgin Queen, married only to her people
• What was the response of the Privy Council, aristocracy, and MPs to Elizabeth's refusal to marry?

  They wanted her to marry but failed to convince her
• What was Elizabeth's famous response when petitioned by Parliament to marry or name a successor?

  'Answer answerless'
• Why did the succession problem seem serious after 1562?

  Because Elizabeth nearly died of smallpox
• Who was the heir to the throne after Elizabeth?

  Mary, Queen of Scots
• Why was Mary, Queen of Scots, not an acceptable heir?

  Because of her Catholicism and involvement in plots against Elizabeth
• What were the implications of the Northern Earls' rebellion and various plots against Elizabeth?

  They highlighted the threat posed by Mary, Queen of Scots, as a potential heir
• What happened after the execution of Mary in 1587?

  The situation calmed as her Protestant son James VI became the heir apparent
• How did Elizabeth manage to provide a Protestant succession?

  By living a long time and ensuring James VI was the heir
• How did foreign powers influence the religious difficulties during Elizabeth's reign?

  They underpinned the Catholic threat
• What was the status of Scotland when Elizabeth came to the throne?

  Scotland was officially Catholic
• What reversed the situation in Scotland during Elizabeth's reign?

  The onset of the Scottish Reformation under John Knox
• What did the Treaty of Berwick (1560) accomplish?

  It provided military assistance to Scots rebels
• What was the outcome of the Treaty of Edinburgh (1560)?

  French agreed to withdraw troops from Scotland and recognize Elizabeth as Queen of England
• What happened to Mary Queen of Scots after her return to Scotland in 1561?

  She had little support and was eventually forced to abdicate
• Why was Mary Queen of Scots imprisoned in England?

  She was seen as a threat due to her claim to the English throne
• How did the Wars of Religion in France affect Mary Queen of Scots' position?

  They weakened her support in Scotland and France
• What was the outcome of the assassination of William the Silent in 1584?

  It left the Dutch rebels looking weak
• What was the significance of the Spanish Armada in 1588?

  It was an attempted invasion of England that ultimately failed
• What were the reasons for the failure of the Spanish Armada?

  Flawed plans and overestimation of English Catholic support
• What was the initial relationship between England and Spain during Elizabeth's reign?

  It was quite cordial
• Why did relations between England and Spain deteriorate by 1585?

  Due to Elizabeth's paranoia and the invasion of the Low Countries
• What sparked the trade war between England and the Low Countries in 1563-4?

  Increased taxes on trade imposed by Queen Mary
• What was the outcome of the Treaty of Bristol in 1574?

  It ended the trade war between England and Spain
• How did the execution of Mary Queen of Scots influence the Spanish Armada?

  It was one reason for the Spanish Armada in 1588
• What was the outcome of the English army's invasion of the Low Countries in 1585?

  It was highly provocative and escalated tensions with Spain
• Why were English authorities worried about a potential Spanish invasion?

  They feared English Catholics might rise to help the invaders
• What were the implications of Drake's raids on Spanish territories?

  They escalated tensions and contributed to the war with Spain
• What was the plan of the Spanish Armada in 1588?

  To link up with Parma in the Low Countries and transport troops to England
• What was a major flaw in Philip's plan for the Spanish Armada?

  His overestimation of English Catholic support
• What were the key events leading to the deterioration of relations between England and Spain?

  • Philip II's marriage proposal to Elizabeth was declined
  • Trade war sparked by increased taxes
  • Duke of Alva's military presence in the Low Countries
  • Conflicts in the Caribbean
  • Elizabeth's support for Dutch rebels
• What were the main consequences of the execution of Mary Queen of Scots?

  • Escalation of tensions with Spain
  • Justification for the Spanish Armada
  • Strengthening of Protestant succession in England
• What were the main plots against Elizabeth involving Mary Queen of Scots?

  • Northern Earls Rebellion (1569)
  • Ridolfi Plot (1571)
  • Throckmorton Plot (1584)
  • Babington Plot (1586)