Chapter 1 Queen, government and religion, 1558-69 Flashcards
Name two features of the court?
- they were made up of nobleman, who acted as the monarchs advisor and friends and lived near the same place or house as the monarch.
- They advise the monarch and helped display her wealth and power.
- Members of the court could also be members of the privy council
Name two features of the privy council ?
- members of the nobility, who helped govern the country ( William Cecil )
- They monitored parliament, justice of peace, and oversaw law and order and the security of the country
- They debated issues and advised the monarch on government policy
Name two features of the justices of peace?
- they were large land owners appointed by the government , it was a position of status so it was a very popular job
- They kept law and order locally , heard court cases every three months for serious crimes and made sure all social and economic policies were carried out
Name two features of the parliament?
- The parliament was made up of the House of Lords ( nobleman, and bishops ) and the House of Commons ( who are People elected for the role )
- Parliament passed laws, approved taxes ( extra ordinary taxation that the monarch couldn’t do alone ) and offered advice to the monarch
Name two features of the Lord Lieutenant’s?
- they were nobleman appointed by the government who often also in the privy council
- They governed English counties , raised the local Milita, oversaw the enforcement of policies.
What was extraordinary taxation?
They were extra taxes required to pay for unexpected expenses, like costly war
What is Militia?
A force of ordinary people (not professional soldiers ) raised in Emergency
What could Elizabeth not do without the parliament?
She did not possess complete power:
-She could not pass laws without the parliament’s agreement
- she couldn’t raise taxes without the parliament agreement
What was the social hierarchy of the countryside?
- Nobility
- Gentry
- yeoman farmers
- Tenant farmers
- Landless and labouring poor
- Homeless and vagrants
What was the social hierarchy of towns?
- merchants
- Professionals
- Business owners
- Craftsman
- Unemployed
Name two features of the population of Elizabethan in England?
- 90% of the population of Elizabethan England lived in the countryside ( gentry yeomen farmers , tenant farmers )
- 10% of the population of Elizabethan, England lived in towns ( merchants, professionals, business owners)
Who were the nobility?
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?
Farmers who rented land from the yeoman farmers and gentry
Who were the landless in labouring poor?
People who did not own rent land, and had to work all labour to provide for themselves and their families
Who were the homeless and vagrants?
People who move from place to place, looking for work
Who were the merchants?
Traders who were very wealthy
Who were professionals?
Lawyers, doctors and clergyman
Who were Business owners?
People who were often highly skilled craftsmen, such as silversmiths, glovers, carpenters, or tailors
Who were craftsman?
People who were skilled employees, including apprentices
Who were the skilled labourers and the unemployed?
People who had no regular work and could not provide for themselves and their families
Name, two features of Elizabethan society?
- Elizabethan society was very rigid based on inequality and social hierarchy or structure when everyone knew their place.
- Household will run along similar lines to society. The husband/father was the head of the household. His wife and children and any servants were expected to be obedient to him.
- Wherever you were in Elizabethan society, you owe respect and obedience to those above you had a duty of care to those below. Eg . Landowners would take care of the tenants, especially during hard times.
What is legitimacy?
Legitimacy is wether a Monarch is lawfully entitled to rule
Why was Elizabeth’s legitimacy doubted?
- When Henry had tried to divorce Catherine of Aragon in 1533 to marry Anne Boleyn , the pope had refused to divorce them
- This led to the English reformation, where Henry V III created it so the Church of England was seperate to the Catholic Church and made humelf head, and then allowed himself to divorce and then marry Anne Boleyn
- Since the pope had refused to recognise Elizabeth’s mothers marriage to Henry and Catherine of Aragon was still alive, people ( Mainly committed Catholics ) believed Elizabeth was born out of wedlock and therefore illegitimate
What were the key issues facing Elizabeth in 1558?
- it was expected that she would marry, however, this will reduce power and husband would be expected to govern the country and deal with parliament and her husband would be seen as the figure of authority
- The Crown was £300,000 in debt which put England in a vulnerable position since it didn’t have the money to defend itself because of past costly wars
- England was mainly Catholic, and she was a Protestant monarch, which therefore led to a lot of opposition
- Since she was a woman she was not considered emotionally or physically stable, which was not helped by Mary l’s short reign ( burning around 300 due to religious beliefs )
What are the main problems with Elizabeth marriage?
- If Elizabeth married a Protestant this would anger, Catholics
- if she married a Catholic, this would upset Protestants
- Marriage could involve England in expensive and damaging finance
Name two problems, Elizabeth face when she became queen?
- Her legitimacy - not being seen as a monarch, which was entitled to rule lawfully. This was mainly due to Henry V III’s past marriages and comitted catholics not recognising her as legitamate
- The Crown was £300,000 in debt which left England in a vulnerable position, Elizabeth could increase taxes, however, she would need the parliament agreement
Why didn’t Elizabeth want to marry or have children ?
- Although her potential husband could fulfil the role of military leader in war, she have to be obedient to her husband and would be side lined whilst her husband would be seen as the figure of authority
- Having children would ensure England’s stability and heir however the only man she could marry was a foreign prince but he would put Englands needs second to his own countries
Why was there so much Catholic opposition initially to Elizabeth’s rule?
- Committed Catholics disliked the English reformation and questioned Elizabeth’s legitimacy as a result
- Elizabeth was a Protestant monarch, whereas Catholics favoured and therefore wanted a catholic monarch since many neighbouring countries were catholic, and this would decrease the risk of rebellion
What were Elizabeth characters and strengths?
- she was resilient, she’d spent time in the tower accused of treason in the face of possible execution showing she was able to cope with the pressure
- She was very confident and charismatic, which enabled her to win over her subjects and command support in parliament
- Elizabeth, was well educated - she spoke, Latin, Greek French and Italian
- Elizabeth had an excellent grasp on politics
How did Elizabeth improve her image?
Throughout her reign, Elizabeth was happy to portray herself as a strong, legitimate, popular monarch and a ‘Virgin Queen’ - married only to England and not to a prince or king. This is reflected in paintings such as the one of her coronation, which shows a confident but feminine monarch rightfully crowned queen.
Who’s Elizabeth’s secretary of State? What did he do?
Sir William Cecil, he was the person in the government that she was closest to and advised the Queen on matters important to the crown
What is divine right?
The idea that God alone appointed the monarch, meaning that to challenge the monarch was the challenge. God, successful monarchs claimed, divine providence, ( godly approval ) of their actions reinforcing the legitimacy.
What is a patronage?
The monarch could use the granting of lands jobs and titles toward her supporters people who receive these positions could use them to become wealthy.
What were Elizabeth’s weaknesses ?
- She had a bad temper
- she was indecisive , taking a lot of time to make up her mind over serious matters which angered her privy council and advisers
Describe two advantages Elizabeth hide when she became queen in 1558?
- Elizabeth is confident and charismatic - which enabled her to win over her subjects and come and support in parliament
- Elizabeth had an excellent grasp on politics and therefore understood the interest and ambitions of her subject and was able to use her powers of patronage effectively
How can monarchs raise money?
- Rents and income from their own lands ( Crown lands)
- Taxes from trade (known as customs duties).
- Special additional taxes, known as subsidies, which had to be agreed by parliament.
- Profits of justice (fines, property or lands from people convicted of crimes).
- Loans (sometimes loans were ‘forced’, meaning they were compulsory and never repaid).
Why was financial weakness in 1558 a problem?
- Elizabeth needed money to remain secure on the throne
- She needed it to protect England from possible invasions or wars from neighbouring countries, such as Spain or France ( due to religious divisions / conflicts )
- She could use it to reward her supporters, therefore securing a position - patronage
What was the financial situation of crown and 1558?
The Crown was £300,000 in debt, because of past costly wars against neighbouring countries, such as, France
What were Elizabeth’s options in response to the financial problem involving parliament and 1558?
She could have convened parliament and asked for subsidies ( special additional taxes ) however, these taxes would be a popular increasing the risk of unrest and parliament could later demand something from her in return which she didn’t favour
What did Elizabeth do to solve financial problems in 1558?
- She didn’t raise taxes, but instead held the tight income and cut her household expenses by half
- Like her predecessors, she’s sold crowns land raising £120,000
What is the ‘crown’?
It refers to the government which means the monarch and her advisors
What were some of the challenges abroad that Elizabeth faced?
- The French threat
- France ending its war with Spain
- The treaty of Cateau-Cambresis
- The Auld alliance
What was the French threat?
France was wealthier than England, and had a bigger population. Mary Queen of Scots had a strong claim to the English throne and English Catholics may rallied to her if the French invaded. Therefore, threatening Elizabeth’s position.
When was the treaty of Cateau- Cambresis signed ?
In 1559
Why was the treaty of Cateau - Cambresis bad ?
England had lost Calais to France. This was England’s last remaining territory on the continent, and there was pressure on Elizabeth regain it since it had been useful as a military base in France and had been an important trading post. However, war with France was expensive and dangerous.
Why was France ending its war with Spain threatening?
It meant French military resources were no longer occupied by war with Spain, making a war with England more likely. Additionally, it made it more likely for Spain and France to team up against England. Both countries were very powerful and Roman Catholic countries ( Spanish troops in the Netherlands were close by ) making them a large threat
