Elizabethan England

• Who did Elizabeth face threats of invasion from when she first became queen in 1558?

  Scotland and France
• Why did war with France end on the 23rd of January 1558?


  The French captured the city of Calais, England’s last piece of land on the European mainland
• When was the ‘Siege of Calais’?

  23rd of January 1558
• When was the treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis signed?

  1559
• Who was the treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis between?

  France and Spain
• What did the treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis mean?

  • Calais was recognised as ‘in French custody’

  • England was fighting as Spain’s ally
• Who was Mary Queen of Scots promised in marriage to?

  King Francis II
• When was parliament called?

  Only when Elizabeth wanted to consult it, it did not run the rest of the time
• When did Elizabeth call parliament?

  • When she wanted to raise taxes to finance a war

  • When there was a serious crisis
• How many times did Elizabeth call on parliament between 1558 and 1601?

  9 times
• What did the House of Lords consist of?

  Around 100 lords, bishops and judges
• What did the House of Commons consist of?

  450 MPs, elected by wealthy landowners
• How many times did the Privy Council meet each week?

  Several times
• How many men sat on the Pricy Council?

  19 men
• What was the role of the nobles?

  Responsible for their regions of the country
• What was the roles of the gentry, knights and lawyers?


  Helped to lead the local administrations in the counties
• How did the monarchs raise money?

  Taxes
• How much debt did Elizabeth inherit from the war with France?

  About £300,000
• How much money did Elizabeth spend due to threat of further conflict after the war with France ended?

  A further £100,000 on arms and munitions
• What happened in 1554 when Mary I came to the throne?

  • She implemented pro-Catholic religious policies

  • Elizabeth was put under house arrest for 11 months
• Where was Elizabeth put under house arrest by Mary I in 1554?

  Tower of Woodstock
• What age did Elizabeth I become Queen of England?

  25 years old
• What is thought to be the true reason behind Anne Boleyn’s execution?

  She was struggling to produce a male heir
• When was Anne Boleyn executed?


  1536
• Why did Henry VIII claim that Elizabeth could be illegitimate?

  • Her father could have been Mark Smeaton or George Boleyn instead of Henry

  • The Catholic Church had refused to support Henry’s divorce of Catherine of Aragon, making his marriage to Anne Boleyn illegitimate
• How did Elizabeth buy the loyalty of her court?

  Patronage
• What were the ‘leases in reversion’ that Elizabeth granted to loyal nobles?

  A grant of freedom and money
• What did Elizabeth also grant nobles?

  • Titles

  • Monopolies over whole industries (like the salt industry and starch industry)
• How did patronage help Elizabeth?

  Ensured that her position of power was stable
• Who were the Privy Council led by?

  The Secretary of State
• What was the role of the Justices of the Peace?


  Made sure the population complied with the law
• Who were the Secretary of States during Elizabeth’s reign?

  • William Cecil

  • Francis Walsingham
• Who was the Lord Chancellor during Elizabeth’s reign?

  Nicholas Bacon
• What was the economy like at the start of Elizabeth’s reign?

  Weak
• When did Mary Queen of Scots marry King Francis II?

  1558
• Why was the marriage between Mary Queen of Scots and King Francis II dangerous for Elizabeth?

  It increased the risk that Mary and France would invade England, with Mary Queen of Scots hoping to become the Queen of England
• Who were Mary Queen of Scots parents?

  James V of Scotland and Mary of Guise
• When did James V of Scotland die?

  1542
• How old was Mary Queen of Scots when her father died?

  A few weeks old
• What did Mary of Guise do in 1548?


  • Invited French soldiers to defend Scotland from England

  • Mary Queen of Scots was evacuated to France