Elizabeth

• What was her family like?

  Sister - Mary I (catholic)

  Brother - Edward VI (Protestant)

  Dad - Henry VIII

  -England was Catholic under Mary I rule, and changed to Protestant
• Who was Elizabeth’s Privy Council?

  William Cecil - Elizabeth had appointed him as Secretary in 1558 and was her most trusted advisor

  Sir Francis Walsingham - In charge of secret services and managed to uncover a plot that lead to Mary’s execution

  Robert Dudley - Earl of Leicester and a trusted advisor until he died in 1558. close relationship (rumours they were lovers)
• What problems did Elizabeth inherit after Mary?

  • 250,000 in debt
  • she had been declared illegitimate
  • Worries about who she would marry for another heir
  • England would be seen as a weak country for having a female ruler
  • Elizabeth’s cousin MQOS was also catholic and was threatening
  • religious conflict between countries
• What was the Thomas Seymour scandal?

  -When Katherine died in 1548, Seymour decided he could further his political powers by trying to marry Elizabeth and seizing control of the King.

  -He was arrested in 1549 and executed for treason by his brother.

  -Elizabeth was interrogated about her part but denied them all and was eventually let free.
• Who had taught Elizabeth?

  -Kat Ashley and Roger Asham had bought her up Protestant and taught her everything she needed to know
• What techniques did Elizabeth rely on?

  -Divide and rule = she would offer titles and rewards to her courts/councils to make sure people were honest and differed in views

  -Patronage = giving titles or powers to ensure individuals support
• What was the marriage and succession crisis?

  Advantages - She could keep control of her own country, her refusal of possible suitors allowed her to keep options open for foreign affairs, she remained a strong dictator and had all power

  Disadvantages - Many decided to plot against her to try and claim the throne for themselves, the council become worried and frustrated.
• Who were Elizabeth‘s possible suitors?

  -Robert Dudley - one of her most trusted advisors, close friend, rumours when his wife was found dead so she withdrew

  -King Phillip II Spain - Catholic country, and had been married to Mary I, MP’s not in favour (religious unsettlement)

  -Archduke Charles - Catholic as well (same religious differences as Philip)

  -Duke of Alencon - He died in 1584, however would’ve gained many political advantages from this
• What actions did Elizabeth take to help the poor?

  1601 the poor law - meant the the impotent (unable to work due to age, disability etc) was given help and benefits from community

  1572 vagabond act - introduced death as a punishment if caught begging

  WHY:

  -attitudes had changed towards the end of her reign

  -Scared of the poor rebelling and plotting against her
• What were Elizabethan theatres like?


  -They appealed to both rich and the poor (cost 1p)

  -Different social groups sat in different parts of the theatre

  -Elizabeth enjoyed the plays (never attended public ones)

  -Supported her favourite actors by setting up company’s)

  -1570, first theatre set up in London

  -round open air buildings with raised stage

  -theatre was encouraged by all (fashionable)
• What was clothing like?

  PEASANTS - had to wear dull clothes that looked faded and inexpensive

  ROYALTY/UPPERCLASS - wore bright colours , multilayered clothings and thick jackets, also wore knickers and jerkins

  LAWS - if you wore the wrong thing you can lose money, property, titles, your life

  GOLD = nobles

  BROWN = poor

  BLUE = servants

  WHITE = wealth, purity
• What was the golden age?

  -English renaissance, flowering of poetry, music and literature

  -Famous for theatres and Shakespeare

  -exploration and expansion

  -end of a period when English was a separate realm before

  -organised and well effective government (reform of Henry VIII)

  -benefited greatly economically)