Elizabethan England 1

• Who were the court ?

  It was made up of noblemen who acted as the monarch's advisers and friends . They advised the monarch and helped display her wealth and power . They could also be members of the Privy Council .
• Who were the Privy Council ?

  They were members of the nobilityt who helped govern the country . They monitored parliament , justices of the peace and oversaw law and order and security of the country .
• Who were Parliament ?

  They advised her government and were made up of the house of Lords and the house of Commons . The house of Lords was made up of noblemen and bishops , while the house of Commons were elected . They passed laws and approved taxes .
• Who were Lord Lieutenants ?


  They were noblemen appointed by government who governed English countries and raised the local militia .
• Who were justices of the peace ?

  They were large land owners appointed by government who kept law and order localy and heard court cases .
• Who were the nobility ?

  They were major land owners ; often lords , dukes and earls .
• Who were the gentry ?

  They owned smaller estates
• Who were the yeoman farmers ?

  They owned a small amount of land .
• Who were Tenant farmers ?

  They rented land from the yeoman farmers and the gentry .
• Who were the landless and labouring poor ?

  They were people who did not own or rent land and had to work or labour to provide for themselves and their families .
• Who were the homeless and vagrants ?

  They were people who moved from place to place looking for work .
• Who were merchants ?


  They were traders who were very wealthy
• Who were professionals ?

  They were lawyers , doctors and clergymen
• Who were business owners ?

  They were often highly skilled craftsmen such as silversmiths , glovers , carpenters or tailors .
• Who were craftsmen ?

  They were skilled employees including aprentices
• Who were the unskilled labourers and the unemployed ?

  They were people who had no regular work and could not provide for themselves and their families .
• What percentage lived in the countryside ?

  90%
• What were Elizabeth's problems when she became queen ?

  She was young and lacked experience , her legitimacy , she was protestant , while Mary was Catholic , she was not married , the government was in £300000 debt
• What were Elizabrth's strengths ?

  She was charesmatic , well educated , was able to use her powers of patronage effectively and the number of protestants were growing so she could claim divine right .
• How did the image of the virgin queen help Elizabeth ?

  It showed she was married only to England and depicted a confident but feminine monarch rightfully crowned queen .
• Crown debt owed to foreign moneylenders

  Over £100,000
• Mary I had sold off crown lands


  Crown's income from rents was falling
• Elizabeth needed money


  To remain secure on the throne by rewarding her supporters
• Crown devalued the coinage

  1. Reducing its silver and gold content

  2. To make more money to fight wars against France
• Devaluing the coinage resulted in inflation as the value of the currency fell
• How did Elizabeth solve her financial problems ?

  Instead of raising taxes , she hoarded her income and cut her household expenses by half . She also sold crown lands , raising £120000 .
• What year was the crown out of debt ?

  1574
• How was France a threat in 1558 ?


  It was more wealthy and Mary Queen of Scots was married to the french heir . The Auld alliance meant that French soldiers were stationed in Scotland . France was no longer at war with Spain and was a catholic country . England had lost Calais to France .
• how did Elizabeth deal with the french threat ?

  She signed the Peace of Troyes , which recognised the french claim to Calais
• What are the beliefs of the catholic church ?

  The pope is the head of the church , helpred by cardinals , bishops and priests . The church is the intermediary between God and people and can forgive sins . During mass , the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of christ . Priests are celibate .
• Catholic practices 


  Services were in latin , priests wore vestements and chruches were highly decorated .
• Catholic support 


  They had the majority in the north and west of england
• Protestant beliefs 


  No pope , however they did have archbishops and bishops . They believed in a personal direct relationship with God via prayer and the bible . Only God could forgive sins . The bread and wine represent the body and blood of christ . There is no miracle . Priests can marry .
• Protestant practices


  Services were held in English and priests wore simple vestements . Churches were plain and simple
• Protestant support 


  Mostly in south-east england
• Puritan beliefs 


  No popes , cardinals or bishops . (the rest is the same as protestant)
• Puritan practices


  Churches were witewashed with no decorations
• Puritan support


  They were mostly found in London and East Anglia .