Challenges to E at home & abroad

• What were the main reasons for the revolt of the northern earls?


  • they were mostly committed catholics
  • the arrive of Mary gave them hope of Elizabeth's replacement
  • Elizabeth confiscated large areas of land from the Earl of Northumberland and shared them between his biggest rival and a southern protestant
  • Elizabeth claimed all the profits from the copper mines on the Earl of Northumberland's estates
• Who was the wealthiest landowner in England?

  the Duke of Norfolk
• what occurred in the revolt of the northern earls?

  • the earls captured Durham in November 1569 and they celebrated catholic mass in the cathedral
  • they marched south for Tutbury where Mary was imprisoned but before they reached it, a royal army forced them to retreat
• what were the consequences of the revolt of the northern earls?

  the earl of northumberland was executed swell as at least 400 rebel troops.
• what happened with Elizabeth and the pope in 1570?

  he excommunicated her, meaning the catholics no longer needed to obey her and were encouraged to overthrow her.
• who organised the ridolfi plot?

  Roberto di Rodolfi, an Italian banker
• what was the plan of the ridolfi plot?

  • to assassinate Elizabeth
  • to marry Mary to the Duke of Norfolk
  • make Mary queen
• who supported Roberto di Ridolfi in his plot?

  • the Pope
  • King Philip II - he agreed to provide troops for a Spanish invasion
• why did the Ridolfi plot fail?

  • Elizabeth's allies passed the names of the main conspirators to her
  • Her allies also intercepted letters sent by Mary, which showed that her and Norfolk were involved
• what were the consequences of the Ridolfi plot?

  • Norfolk was arrested and executed
  • Mary wasn't punished but her supervision was made tighter
• who was the leading figure in the Throckmorton Plot?

  Francis Throckmorton, a young Catholic man who carried messages between Mary and Catholic conspirators abroad
• what was the plan of the Throckmorton plot?

  • to assassinate Elizabeth
  • replace her with Mary
  • an invasion was planned by French troops financed by Philip II and the Pope
• Who uncovered the Throckmorton plot?

  Walsingham, Elizabeth's principal secretary and spymaster
• What was the response to the Throckmorton plot?

  • The Bond of Association was drafted to prevent any more plots
  • This required the English nobility and gentry to execute anyone who tried to overthrow the queen
• Who supported the Babington plot?

  both the French and Spanish
• Who was responsible for the Babington plot, what did they do?

  • Anthony Babington
  • he sent information to Mary from her supporters in England and Europe
• How did Walsingham uncover the Babington plot?

  • He used a double agent
  • he secretly intercepted all letters sent to and from Mary and decoded them
  • one of Mary's letters approved the plans
  • by August 1586 he had enough evidence to break the plot
• What were the consequences of the Babington plot?

  Babington and the other conspirators were arrested, tried and executed for treason.
• When was Mary QOS found guilty and sentenced to death?

  October 1586
• When was Mary QOS executed?

  8th February 1587
• What was the main pro and main con of Mary QOS's execution?

  Pro: reduced threat of Catholics at home, English Catholics had no one to rally around and they lost hope.

  Con: Inflamed Catholic opposition abroad
• Where did Philip II rule?

  Spain, the Netherlands, part of Italy and Portugal. He also had a large empire in South and North America
• Why did Philip II get himself involved in several plots against Elizabeth?

  He was a devout Catholic and disliked the religious settlement. However, his involvement was mostly reluctant and half-hearted.
• Why could Philip limit English access to vital ports?

  English exports to Europe were vital to the English economy. Most goods reached the market via Dutch ports, especially Antwerp, which was in the Netherlands. Philip controlled the Netherlands at this point.
• What did Elizabeth do to enrage Philip in terms of commercial rivalry?

  In 1568, Spanish ships laden with gold bullion took refuge in English ports to escape bad weather. Elizabeth seized the gold for herself.
• How did Philip respond to Elizabeth seizing gold from his ships?

  He seized English ships in Antwerp and banned English trade with the Netherlands for some time. This damaged the English economy and caused much hardship for people.
• What did Elizabeth encourage privateers (men who sailed their own vessels) to do?

  to trade illegally with Spanish colonies, raid Spanish ships and attack the treasure fleets carrying gold and solver.
• Why did Elizabeth encourage privateers to interfere with trading between the Americas and Spain?

  because they were supposedly independent, meaning she could deny any responsibility for their actions. this prevented open conflict with Philip and still gave her the goods.
• Who was Francis Drake?

  a leading privateer. he was involved in several expeditions, he sailed around the world and carried out a number of raids.
• in what year did Elizabeth receive treasure from Drake worth more than all the rest of her income that year?

  1580
• What occurred in 1581 in the Netherlands that Elizabeth gave financial help to?

  Protestant rebels declared independence from Spain and established a Dutch republic.
• Who was the leader of the Protestant rebels from the Netherlands?

  William the Silent
• When was William the Silent assassinated?

  1584
• What did Elizabeth do in response to William the Silent's assassination?

  • she gave direct assistance to the rebels
  • she signed the treaty of nonsuch which placed the Netherlands under her protection and promised military assistance
• What were the factors that influenced Elizabeth's decision to sign the Treaty of Nonsuch?

  1. Religious - wanted to protect Dutch Protestantism and prevent Philip from forcing Catholicism on the Netherlands
  2. Commercial - the Netherlands' ports were essential points into Europe
  3. Military - if the rebels were defeated, Philip may use the Netherlands as a base for an invasion of England
  4. Strategic - Spain was also seeking control of the French throne, if they defeated the Dutch rebels, Spain would be in control of almost the entire Channel and Atlantic coasts of Europe
• What did Elizabeth believe in that prevented her from removing Philip as the ruler of the Netherlands?

  Divine right. This says that monarchs have earned their position from God.
• Who was Robert Dudley?

  The Earl of Leicester. He was appointed to lead the military expedition to the Netherlands.
• What position did Robert Dudley accept that risked provoking Philip further?

  Governor-General. This was a serious mistake as it suggested that Elizabeth had taken control of the Netherlands for herself, which risked provoking Philip even further. Elizabeth forced Dudley to resign the position.
• Why did Robert Dudley not have much success in the English campaigns in the Netherlands?

  • he wasn't a talented general
  • his officers were bitterly divided over questions of strategy
  • he had a very small army compared to spanish troops
  • the army was poorly equipped
  • Elizabeth didn't provide sufficient funds to pay the troops
• How did Philip interpret the 1585 Treaty of Nonsuch?

  as a declaration of war on Spain