Chapter 1

• What was Elizabethan England often described as?

  A violent and dangerous place
• How was order maintained in Elizabethan England?

  Through a clear social structure
• What was not important to Elizabethans?

  Equality
• Who was at the top of the Elizabethan social scale?

  The monarch
• What determined a person's place in the Elizabethan hierarchy?

  Amount of land owned or rented
• What percentage of England's population lived in the countryside?

  About 90%
• Who were yeomen in Elizabethan society?

  Men who held a small amount of land
• What role did tenant farmers play in Elizabethan society?

  They farmed rented land
• Who were at the top of the social hierarchy in towns?

  Wealthy merchants
• What were guilds in Elizabethan towns?

  Trade associations for craftsmen
• Who were considered unskilled laborers in Elizabethan society?

  Those at the bottom of society
• What was expected of landowners in Elizabethan society?

  To care for their tenants
• Who was the head of the household in Elizabethan families?

  The husband
• What was the role of courtiers in Elizabethan government?

  To entertain and advise the monarch
• What was the Privy Council composed of?

  Leading courtiers and advisers
• How often did the Privy Council meet?

  At least three times a week
• What was Parliament made up of?

  House of Lords and House of Commons
• Who could call and dismiss Parliament?

  The monarch
• How many times did Elizabeth I call Parliament during her reign?

  Ten times
• What was the role of Justices of the Peace (JPs)?

  To keep law and order locally
• What was the role of the monarch in Elizabethan government?

  To make all important decisions
• What is divine right?

  The belief that monarchs rule by God's will
• Who was Elizabeth's most important Privy Councillor?

  Sir William Cecil
• What was the purpose of patronage in Elizabethan government?

  To gain support and control
• What was extraordinary taxation?

  Occasional additional taxation for expenses
• What was the role of Parliament in raising extraordinary taxation?

  It required Parliament's agreement
• What was the financial situation of the Crown when Elizabeth took the throne?

  £300,000 in debt
• What was the significance of Elizabeth's legitimacy?

  Essential for inheriting the throne
• Why was Elizabeth's legitimacy in doubt?

  Her father divorced to marry her mother
• What did Henry VIII do regarding Elizabeth's legitimacy?

  Declared her legitimate and then excluded her
• What was a queen regnant?

  A queen ruling in her own right
• What were the societal views on women ruling in the 16th century?

  It was seen as unusual and unnatural
• What were the pros of Elizabeth marrying?

  Ensuring dynastic stability
• What were the cons of Elizabeth marrying?

  Risk of being sidelined by a husband
• What was Elizabeth's view on marriage?

  She had no intention of marrying
• How did Mary's reign affect views on female rulers?

  It reinforced negative views on women ruling
• What was Elizabeth's education like?

  She was highly intelligent and well-educated
• What skills did Elizabeth possess?

  She spoke multiple languages and understood politics
• What was the financial situation of Elizabeth's government?

  It lacked sufficient funds
• How could monarchs raise money?

  Through rents, taxes, and loans