Elizabeth 1558-1603

• What was the Privy Council?

  A group of trusted ministers who helped Elizabeth govern England made of 19 officials
• Who were Elizabeth's parents?

  Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn
• Who was the monarch before Elizabeth?

  Mary I
• What religion was Elizabeth?

  Protestant
• What was Mary I to Elizabeth?

  Half-sister
• How long did Elizabeth rule?

  45 years
• Who was Mary I's mum?

  Catherine of Aragon
• Who was Mary I married to?

  Philip II of Spain
• Why was Elizabeth considered illegitimate?

  Catholics did not accept Henry VII's second marriage to Anne Boleyn, and believed that he was still in wedlock with Catherine of Aragon. Therefore, she was considered illegitimate as she was a child born out of wedlock.
• Who was the monarch before Mary I?

  Edward VI - governed for 7 years while he was 9-16 years old.
• Who was Edward VI's mum?

  Jane Seymour
• What religion was Mary I?

  Catholicism
• What religion was Edward VI?


  Protestant
• Why did Edward VI govern first then both of his older sisters?

  He was a male heir
• What relation was Mary Queen of Scots to Elizabeth?

  Cousin
• Who was Mary Queen of Scots' mum?

  Mary of Guise
• Why was Mary of Guise and her ties with France a problem to Elizabeth?

  Mary of Guise, who governed Scotland while her daughter was a minor, had stationed French troops at the border between Scotland and England, and due to the previous war with France during Mary I's reign, there was a serious risk of invasion.
• Who proposed (and was denied) by Elizabeth at the beginning of her reign?

  Philip II of Spain
• What was the consequence of Elizabeth's rejection to Philip II's proposal?

  It worsened relations between Spain and England
• How much was the crown in debt due to the war with France?

  300,000 pounds
• Who were the two secretaries of state during Elizabeth's reign?

  Sir William Cecil & Francis Walsingham
• What was Francis Walsingham responsible for?

  Elizabeth's spy network.
• What had Mary I done to get money for the war with France, and how did this affect Elizabeth?

  She sold crown lands to improve England's budget. This worsened Elizabeth's government as the Crown was deeply in debt and was receiving less money from rent.
• Why did the Parliament want Elizabeth to get married?

  To conceive an heir for the crown.
• Who was the monarch after Elizabeth?

  James I of England, IV of Scotland - the son of Mary Queen of Scots
• What did the nobility think of Elizabeth (woman) being queen?


  Since they lived in a patriarchal society, they believe that woman could not govern properly and was a threat to power and the country. The idea of having a woman at a higher rank than them was ridiculous.
• Who was William Cecil?

  He was the most senior member of the Privy Council and the Secretary of State.
• What was the Privy Council?


  Group of advisors to the Queen.
• Who did Elizabeth call, although reluctant, when she needed money?

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

  Four
• What was the Divine Right of Kings?

  The belief the monarch had been chosen by God
• What was Elizabeth's nickname?

  The Virgin Queen
• How old was Elizabeth when she became Queen?

  25
• When did Elizabeth I become Queen?

  1558
• What was a downside of Elizabeth I's personality?


  She was known to be indecisive.
• Why did Elizabeth not want to marry?

  She felt that she would have lost her influence and power, as it would have fallen to her husband. She could not maintain her powerful position and reputation if in the household, she had to submit to a man's wishes.
• What land did Mary I lose to France?

  Calais
• What did Henry VIII declare Elizabeth before his death?


  Elizabeth as his successor and legitimate daughter.
• Who did Mary Queen of Scots marry (France)?

  Francis II
• When did Mary Queen of Scots marry Francis II of France?

  1558