1569 -1580 Flashcards
1569 - Revolt of the Northern Earls
Two influential Catholic families – the Percys and the Nevilles – plotted alongside the Duke of Norfolk to overthrow Elizabeth and replace her with the Catholic, Mary, Queen of Scots (who now resided in England). Norfolk was also expected to marry Mary. The Duke of Sussex discovered the plot, Elizabeth then sent an army of 14,000 men to crush the revolt, which lasted around a month (November to December).
1570 - Pope Pius V excommunicates Elizabeth from the Catholic Church
This Papal Bull meant that the loyalty of English Catholics towards Elizabeth was now always in doubt and placed a wedge between the English Catholics’ monarch and their faith.
1571 - The Ridolfi Plot
Roberto Ridolfi was a spy of the Pope. He plotted a Spanish invasion of England, which would involve the killing of Elizabeth and the placing of Mary, Queen of Scots on the throne. As with the 1569 plot, she would marry the Duke of Norfolk. The plot was uncovered by William Cecil whilst Ridolfi was abroad (he never returned). Norfolk was killed in 1572. Mary was spared.
1572 - Vagabonds Act
To counter homelessness and the begging/criminal activity that sometimes accompanied this, a law was passed that stated that, if found, vagrants were: 1) to be whipped and have a hole drilled through each ear 2) if found a second time would be imprisoned 3) would be killed if found a third time. However, the Act also established a national poor rate, made JPs (Justices of the Peace) keep registers of the poor and gave towns and cities the responsibility to find work for the able-bodied poor.
1574 - Catholic priests are first smuggled into England
With the Pope’s blessing, foreign Catholic priests were smuggled into England with the sole purpose of continuing recusancy amongst the English Catholics and undermining the influence of Protestantism.
1576 - Poor Relief Act
This focused on dividing the poor into the able-bodied and the impotent. JPs provided the able-bodied with raw materials (like wool) to make items to sell. Those who refused this were sent to prison.
1576 - The Spanish Fury
Spain’s forces in the Netherlands mutinied (as they hadn’t been paid by the now bankrupt Spanish government). This led to a rampage of Spanish soldiers and the sacking of Antwerp.
1576 - Pacification of Ghent
The Spanish Fury united both the Dutch Catholics and Protestants, who demanded in response to the violence: 1) the expulsion of all Spanish troops from the Netherlands 2) political freedom and 3) an end to religious hostility via the Spanish Inquisition.
1577-80 Francis Drake circumnavigates the world
Drake was the first English person to achieve this (and the second person in history at the time). It was estimated that Drake returned with approximately £400,000 of Spanish treasure from regular raids of Spanish ports in South America.
1580 - Francis Drake is knighted on the Golden Hind
This was an important symbolic gesture, which angered Philip II. He saw Drake as a pirate and therefore deemed Elizabeth’s act as deliberately provocative.
