Early Elizabethan England 1558-1588 Content Flashcards
When did Elizabeth I become queen and why?
Mary I - Elizabeth’s half sister - died and Elizabeth succeeded her on November 1558.
in Elizabeth’s government, what was role of The Privy Council?
Members of the nobility who helped govern the country. They were appointed by Elizabeth herself and advise on matters of the state.
They monitored parliament, Justices of the Peace and oversaw law and order and the security of the
In Elizabeth’s government, what was the role of the Justices of the Peace?
Large landowners; appointed by government, who kept law and order locally and heard court cases.
In Elizabeth’s government, what was the role of the court?
Made up of noblemen who acted as the monarch’s advisers and friends.
They advised the monarch and helped display her wealth and power. Members of the court could also be members of the Privy Council.
In Elizabeth’s government, what was the role of the Lord Lieutenants?
Noblemen, appointed by government, who governed English counties and raised the local militia.
In Elizabeth’s government what was the role of Parliament?
They advised Elizabeth’s government, made up of the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
The House of Lords was made up of noblemen and bishops.
The House of Commons was elected, though very few people could vote.
Parliament passed laws and approved taxes (extraordinary taxation).
Who lived in the countryside in Elizabethan England? (Order from most to least powerful)
The nobility
The gentry
The yeoman farmers
Tenant farmers
The landless/labouring poor
The homeless/vagrants.
Who lived in the towns in Elizabethan England? (Order from most to least powerful)
Merchants
Professionals
Business owners
Craftsmen
Unskilled labourers and the unemployed
In Elizabeth society who did you have to show obedience and care to?
You owed respect and obedience to those above you and a duty of care those below.
The husband and father was head of the household. His wife, children and any servants were expected to obedient to him.
What were the many problems Elizabeth faced when she became Queen?
Elizabeth’s government needed money.
Elizabeth was Protestant Her predecessor, Mary I, was Catholic.
Elizabeth’s legitimacy was in doubt.
Elizabeth was young (25) and inexperienced.
Why was Elizabeth’s legitimacy in doubt?
The pope had refused to recognise her mother’s marriage to Henry VIII due to her being Henry’s second wife.
Due to this and various other things Catholics refused to acknowledge Elizabeth’s right to rule England.
What was the problem with Elizabeth being unmarried?
Although England was ruled by a Queen, it was still a patriarchal society
Her being unmarried went against Christian traditions that women should follow men’s authority. Many people disapproved of a queen regnant (a queen who actually ruled)
Who was Anne Boleyn - Elizabeth’s mother?
Elizabeth’s father divorced Catherine of Aragon and married Anne Boleyn.
Henry had Anne Boleyn executed in 1536 - for adultery. Henry thus excluded Elizabeth from the succession, although he reserved this decision before his death.
What were the problems that would arise if Elizabeth did marry?
If Elizabeth married a Protestant, this would anger Catholics much more.
If she married a Catholic, this would upset Protestants.
Elizabeth’s power would be reduced, as her husband would be expected to govern the country and deal with parliament.
What would be the issue if Elizabeth did not marry?
Elizabeth would leave the throne without an heir. If she had died the throne would be vacant and this could lead to a Catholic-Protestant civil war.
Who was very important in Elizabeth’s Privy Council?
Elizabeth’s inexperience meant that she needed support and advice.
Her Secretary of State, Sir William Cecil was very important.
What were Elizabeth’s strengths?
Elizabeth was confident and charismatic helped win over support in Parliament.
Elizabeth was Protestant, the number of Protestants in England, making her position more secure.
What does the Crown refer to?
The government, which means her (the monarch) and her advisers (The Privy Council)
What were the Financial weakness, 1558?
The Crown was £300,000 in debt and had an annual income of only £286,667
Over £100,000 of Crown debts was owed to foreign moneylenders.
Mary I had sold off Crown lands to pay for wars with France, so the Crown’s income from rents was falling.
Since the 1540s, the Crown had debased (devalued) the coinage, by reducing its silver and gold content, in order to make money to fight wars against France. This resulted in inflation, as the value of the currency fell.
Why did Elizabeth need money?
To remain secure on the throne, as she could use it to reward loyal servants and supporters.
What did Elizabeth do to raise money and cut spending?
She did not raise taxes but instead hoarded her income and cut her household expenses by half.
Like her predecessors, she sold Crown lands, raising 120,000. By 1574, the queen could claim the Crown was out of debt for the first time since 1558.
These decisions were very popular as they didn’t affect the general public.
What foreign alliance threatened Elizabeth’s security on the throne?
The Auid Alliance: France’s alliance with Scotland threatened England.
Mary, Queen of Scots married Francis in 1558. Francis became King Francis II of France in 1559.
Elizabeth was afraid of Mary Queen of Scots because she would be ousted by the Catholics and replaced by Mary Queen of Scots.
Why was Elizabeth on bad terms with France and what was she afraid of, 1558?
She was afraid of France as she inherited a bad relationship with her predecessor Mary I.
Mary I had declared war on France in 1557. In January, 1558 France regained Calais which had been England’s possession since 1347 during the Hundred Years’ war marking the end of English territorial claims in France.
