Elizabethan England

• When was Elizabeth I Crowned?

  1559
• Whe was she born? Who are her parents?

  Born in 1533 to Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn
• What religion was Elizabeth?


  Protestant
• What religion was her predecessor- Mary I?

  Roman Catholic
• What problems in terms of RELIGION did Elizabeth face at the start of her reign in 1558?

  All the religious change that had happened since Henry VIII's rule was appearing to lead to a civil war due to growing tension between Catholics and Protestants
• What problems in terms of GOVERNMENT did Elizabeth face at the start of her reign in 1558?

  Mary had led Elizabeth with £250,000 of debt. Monarchs were expected to pay to run the country.
• What problems in terms of GENDER AND MARRIAGE did Elizabeth face at the start of her reign in 1558?

  Some feared a female was too weak to lead and would make England seem weak. There were worries about who Elizabeth might marry; a foreign prince could end up taking control.
• What problems in terms of LEGITIMACY did Elizabeth face at the start of her reign in 1558?


  Elizabeth had been declared Illegitimate following her mothers execution and act of parliament. Despite being restored to the line of succession many including foreign powers and most Catholics saw her as the illegitimate daughter of an unlawful marriage due to catholic belief
• What problems in terms of MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS did Elizabeth face at the start of her reign in 1558?

  Elizabeth's cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots, had a claim to the throne. She was catholic and married to the heir of the French throne. They could try to invade and threaten Elizabeth's position.
• What is the 'Privy Council'?

  The privy council were a group of powerful noblemen appointed by Elizabeth. Their job was to advise but not control her.
• Who were Elizabeth's main advisors?

  William cecil- Secretary of State

  Robert Dudley- Earl of Leicester

  Sir Francis Walsingham- secret service and advisored of foreign affairs
• What were some of Elizabeth's strengths, what was her character?

  Elizabeth was:

  - Well educated, intelligent, highly literate and spoke many languages.

  - Married to her people

  - A dominant monarch

  - A skillful propagandist

  - Loyal
• How did monarch raise money?

  Monarchs raised money from:

  - Rent and income form their own lands

  - Taxes from Trade

  - Special additional taxes (Subsides)

  - Profits of Justice e.g. fines etc

  - Loans
• What were the main classes of Elizabethan English Society?

  God, Monarchs, Nobles, Gentry, the Yeomanry, the Poor
• What are the features of the Catholic Church?

  Pope is the head of the church, services are in Latin, Priests wear vestments and churches are highly decorated
• What are the features of the Protestant church?

  No Pope, archbishop or bishop more favoured, services in English, priest wears simple vestments and churches are plain and simple.
• What was the Act of Supremacy?


  This made Elizabeth the Supreme Governor of the Church, taking power away from the pope in Rome. 'Governor' implied she would not be dictatorial and more tolerant
• What was the Act of Uniformity?

  1559 -This made Protestantism England's official faith ad set out rules of religious practice and worship. This retained some Catholic traditions which meant Elizabeth was willing to compromise and keep the peace.
• How did Catholics feel about the Religious Settlement?

  Many Catholics in England were not happy with the settlement as they changed from religious freedom and were now being asked to change or deny their beliefs. Many couldn't make this compromise and left to live in exile abroad. Others grudgingly accepted the new regime.
• What did the Pope issue against Elizabeth, how did this impact Catholics?

  In 1570, the pope issued a Papal Bull of Excommunication against Elizabeth and actively encouraged plots against her and catholic rebellion.
• Why was Mary Queen of Scots important and how did she threaten Elizabeth?

  Mary, Queen of Scots arrived in England in 1568 after fleeing Scotland. Many Catholics (including members of the nobility) supported her claim to the throne which was strengthened as no one questioned her legitimacy. Elizabeth had no choice but to imprison her and kept her under surveillance.
• What was the plot of the Northern Earls' Rebellion- 1569? What was Elizabeth's action?


  The Catholic Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland hatched a plan to get Mary out of imprisonment and on to the throne. They gathered and army of 6000 soldiers. Elizabeth found out about the plan and sent a huge army to crush the rebellion. Elizabeth put 800 rebels to death and the two Earls fled to Scotland.
• What was the Ridolfi Plot- 1571? What was Elizabeth's action?

  Roberto Ridolfi, an Italian Banker, planned to assassinate Elizabeth and make Mary queen. He had the support of King Phillip II of Spain, the Duke of Norfolk and Mary herself. The plot was uncovered by William Cecil. Ridolfi and the Spanish ambassador were arrested and expelled from the country and Norfolk was executed as a result
• What was the Throckmorton Plot- 1583? What was Elizabeth's action?


  A young Catholic, Francis Throckmorton, organised a plan for a French Army to invade England and replace Elizabeth with Mary, paid for by the pope and King Phillip II of Spain. Throckmorton was executed and Mary was moved to Tutbury castle in Staffordshire, where she was held in isolation and was allowed no visitors.
• What was the Babington Plot- 1586? What was Elizabeth's actions?


  Sir Anthony Babington planned to rescue Mary and murder Elizabeth. Secret letters between the plotters and Mary were discovered which gave the evidence needed to prove Mary's guilt. This finally led to the execution of Mary in 1587 along with Babington and six other plotters.
• Treaty of Joinville


  1584 treaty between France and Spain making two nations allies against Protestantism.
• Treaty of Nonsuch


  1585 - An agreement between England and the Netherlands. England gave money and troops to Netherland in exchange for land. Philip saw this as a declaration of war by England, prompting the Spanish Armada.
• Bond of Association


  Act passed in 1584 which said that anyone involved in plots against Elizabeth were to executed