elizabeth history paper 2

• Question types in Paper 2

  • 5a) Describe two features of...[4]
  • 5b) Explain why...[12]
  • 5c) How far do you agree? [16]
• 5a) Describe two features of...[4]

  Simply write TWO facts about the topic/event/person in question and add specific facts and details to show a good knowledge
• 5b) Explain why...[12]

  Explain! 'This was because...'. Use the reasons provided in the exam paper and then add your own. Aim for THREE REASONS EXPLAINED!
• 5c) How far do you agree? [16]

  Use the factors given to you in the question but then think of at LEAST one more of your own. Always make sure you EVALUATE your answer in the conclusion. A BALANCED ANSWER NEEDED with plenty of your own knowledge explained. Make sure you refer back to the question at all times
• What was England like when Elizabeth became Queen?
• Social Hierarchy Order

  • Nobility
  • Gentry
  • Yeomen
  • Tenant farmers
  • Landless and working poor
  • Homeless and beggars
• Town social hierarchy

  • Merchants
  • Professionals
  • Business owners
  • Skilled craftsmen
  • Unskilled workers
• What was the GOVERNMENT like when Elizabeth became Queen?
• Court


  People close to the Queen who could influence the Queen on important decisions. Made up of the nobility.
• Privy Council


  Debated issues, oversaw laws, money and parliament. 19 Members and chosen by the Queen. E.g. William Cecil.
• Parliament


  Passed laws and gave permission for extra taxes. Made up of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Could only be called upon by the monarch. Elizabeth only called parliament 10 times.
• Lord Lieutenant


  In charge of training local military forces. One in every county. Were also on the Privy Council.
• Justices of the Peace


  Large landowners who kept law and order in their local area. Made sure laws were carried out by their people.
• The Divine Rights of Kings

  Believed they had a right to rule the country because of the 'grace of God'
• Elizabeth's rights as a Queen

  • Declare war and make peace
  • Call and dismiss parliament
  • Agree or disagree to laws
  • Grant titles, money and land to people
  • Be a patron to a person (give money to support someone)
• Secretary of State

  The second in charge. Advised the Queen on important matters.
• Sir William Cecil


  Was Elizabeth's Secretary of State from 1573 and then became a Lord afterwards.
• Extraordinary Taxation

  Allowing the Queen and Parliament to raise extra money from taxes in the case of war or needing more money for resources.
• Royal Prerogative


  Only the Queen had the right to decide on some issues.
• Legitimate (legal)

  Whether a monarch had the right to became a King or Queen. The child has to be born while the King and Queen are married.
• Was Elizabeth legitimate?
• Why Elizabeth SHOULD marry

  • Having a child will make England more stable – less chance of a take over by another foreign or English ruler
  • A husband could be a military leader in war
  • Would make Elizabeth's position stronger
  • More accepted by the public
• Why Elizabeth SHOULD NOT marry

  • If she married a foreign prince he would think his country was more important
  • Threat of losing power
  • The King would be seen as more powerful due to the sexism that existed at the time
• Why was her GENDER an issue?

  • Christian Religion taught that women should be under the control of a man
  • Women were not thought to be physically, emotionally or mentally able to take control
  • It was usual for women to be in power
  • Public opinion was that a woman should not rule
  • Mary I had given women a bad reputation for her extreme leadership before Elizabeth
• Elizabeth's CHARACTER

  • Intelligent and well educated
  • Excellent knowledge of politics
  • Spoke Italian, Greek, French and Latin
  • She had experienced being a prisoner so could empathise with others in the lower classes
  • She knew the dangers of others challenging her for her power
  • Confident
  • Good at speaking to others
• Negative CHARACTERISTICS


  • Had a temper that people feared
  • Decision making took too long
• What problems did Elizabeth have from home (England)

  • Money/Finance - Did not have a lot of money because of costly wars fought when Mary I was Queen. England was £300,000 in debt. Taxing people was very unpopular but she needed to make up the money.
• What problems did Elizabeth face from abroad?

  • FRANCE - France was rich and had a bigger population. The French helped the Scottish in border battles between England and Scotland. The loss of Calais - The English controlled this port in Northern France and had an army there but lost it after a battle with Spain. Catholic France and Spain – both were Catholic countries and Elizabeth saw them as a threat to England's Protestant religion.
  • SCOTLAND - Scotland had strong links to France and a history of disagreements with England. Mary Queen of Scots - thought she had the right to become the next English Queen after Mary not Elizabeth. There was constant fighting on the border between England and Scotland which was difficult to defend.
  • SCOTLAND AND FRANCE - Had an Auld Alliance (friendship) so would help each other if they went to war with England.
  • FRANCE AND SPAIN - Were both Catholic countries and so they were a threat to Protestant England.
• The Auld Alliance

  The name of the friendship between Scotland and France.
• Features of religion in England

  • Dominated by the Catholic church for the previous years but Elizabeth was now more of a Protestant
  • People went to Confession and Mass to forgive sins
  • Religious festivals such as Plough Sunday in January and the Harvest Festival
  • Religion guided people's morals and behaviour
  • The Reformation began which questioned the Roman Catholic church
• Features of the Reformation

  • A time when people challenged the Roman Catholic Church and began their own church without the Pope as the head
  • Henry VIII began it in England when he created the Church of England after he wanted a divorce from Catherine of Aragon
• Protestant beliefs

  • KING/QUEEN is the leader of the church
  • BIBLE from Latin to English so more people could understand it without having to listen to a Catholic Priest
  • CHURCH DECORATIONS to be removed as the bible did not mention this
  • BISHOPS not mentioned in the bible so should be removed
  • PLAIN and SIMPLE churches that did not show a lot of wealth
  • No POPE
  • Sins can only be forgiven by God and not the church
  • MIRACLES do not exist
  • PRIESTS allowed to marry
• Catholic Beliefs

  • Pope as leader
  • Bishops and priests
  • BIBLE read and written in Latin
  • The belief in miracles and saints
  • Churches hugely decorated to honour the glory of God
  • Priests are not allowed to marry
• Who believed in what?

  • Henry VIII started Catholic then Protestant after the Break from Rome and divorce from Catherine of Aragon
  • Edward VI was a Protestant
  • Mary I was an extreme Catholic
  • Elizabeth I was a Protestant but was fairer on Catholics to avoid conflict
• Why was religion a problem for Elizabeth?

  • There was lots of tension between Catholics and Protestants all over Europe and England
  • Many Catholic believed Elizabeth did not have the right to become Queen
  • Elizabeth believed other Catholics would try to harm her power at home and from abroad
• Elizabeth's main RELIGIOUS PROBLEMS

  • The tension between Catholics and Protestants
  • The geographical division between Catholic and Protestants - London areas more Protestant, rural areas more Catholic
  • The Puritans - Extreme Protestant who had suffered during Mary I's reign came back to live in England as they felt safer under Elizabeth and tried to influence her
• Religious SETTLEMENT


  The way Elizabeth tried to compromise and make all religions happy. She wanted to be fair to all religions.
• Features of Elizabeth's Religious Settlement 1559

  • Act of Supremacy - Made Elizabeth the supreme governor of the Church of England. Clergy had to swear an oath to her.
  • Act of Uniformity - Made sure all church services appeared the same and followed the same rules. Everyone had to attend church on a Sunday and Holy Days or be fined what would be a week's pay.
  • Royal Injunctions - The same words had to be read out and the same clothes had to be worn by priests. A set of instructions on a range of issues to make sure the clergy were following the above acts and people were worshipping in the right way. Each Parish had to have a copy of the English Bible. No one allowed to preach unless they had a licence from the government.
• What was the impact of the religious settlement?

  • THE CLERGY - 8,000 priests took an Oath of Supremacy to the Queen in over 10,000 parishes so this was mainly successful. Only ONE BISHOP agreed to take the oath and the others had to step down. Elizabeth had to appoint 27 new bishops. There was a shortage of qualified clergy in Britain.
  • THE PEOPLE - Most people accepted Elizabeth's settlement. Most people attended the new church services. Many kept on to old Catholic beliefs too as this was a new change. Many people in London destroyed Catholic statues in support of the more basic religious image. Most people accepted the wording of the new bible as it was made relevant to Catholics and Protestants. More Catholic places such as the north west were slow to change.
• The Religious Settlement

  • ACT OF SUPREMACY - Made Elizabeth supreme governor of the Church of England. Clergy had to swear an oath to her. A High Commission was set up to keep discipline in the church. Clergy members could be punished if they did not follow rules.
  • ACT OF UNFORMITY - Set out the appearance and rules of the church. A book of common prayer was to be used in all churches – its wording was to be used. The wording was vague/unclear so both Catholics and Protestants could use the prayer book. Clergy could be punished if they did not use this. Ordered everyone to attend church on a Sunday and other Holy Days. People could be fined for not attending (a week's pay).
  • ROYAL INJUNCTIONS - A set of RULES for the clergy: Clergy had to teach its people about the Royal Supremacy. Church refusers could be reported. Each Parish had to have an English copy of the Bible. Not allowed to preach without a licence from the government. Clergy had to wear special vestments. Allowed some images and decorations in church. Any mention of miracles was banned.