Early Elizabethan England 1558-88 Flashcards
How was legitmacy a key problem faced by Elizabeth at the start?
- She was the daughter of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII after his divorce from Catherine of Aragon, so not everyone accepted her legitmacy (especially Catholics)
- Many thought that Mary Queen of Scots was the legitimate Queen
How was marriage a key problem faced by Elizabeth at the start?
Women were though to be inferior so many found Elizabeth ruling by herself to be unusual. As a result people felt that she should marry
How as religion a key problem faced by Elizabeth at the start?
In 1558, the country was divided by religion (Protestant and Catholic)
How were foreign powers a key problem faced by Elizabeth at the start?
England was weak compared to others (France and Spain = most powerful and were both Roman Catholic)
How was money a key problem faced by Elizabeth at the start?
England had fought costly wars before Elizabeth became Queen. The Crown was £300,000 in debt when she took the throne.
What was one problem of Mary, Queen of Scots?
Many Catholics saw Mary Queen of Scots as the legitimate monarch (she was Elizabeth’s second
cousin and had a direct link to the throne). Mary arrived in England in 1568 after the Protestant Scottish Nobles revolted after the suspicious death of her husband.
What was another problem of Mary, Queen of Scots?
Elizabeth was unsure what to do with Mary. She did not want to hand her over to the Scottish Lords but she also did not want to allow her to go abroad so she decided to keep her in England in captivity.
What were the causes of the Revolt of the Northern Earls, 1569?
- Northen nobility tended to remain Catholic
- They did well out of Mary’s I reign
- Found their influence reduced under Elizabeth and disliked her ‘favourites’ her Dudley and Cecil
What was the plan of the Revolt of the Northern Earls?
- Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland would raise an army and take control of Durham and would then march south to join the Duke of Norfolk’s forces
- Several thousand Spanish troops would land in Hartlepool to support the rebels
- Mary Queen of Scots would be freed, married to the Duke of Norfolk and placed on the throne
What were the main events of the Revolt of the Northern Earls, 1569?
- November 1569 - earls of Northumberland and Westmorland led a rebellion against Elizabeth called the Revolt of the Northern Earls
- Took Durham Cathedral and celebrated a full Catholic mass
What were the outcomes of the Revolt of the Northern Earls?
- Most nobles stayed loyal to Elizabeth and by 24 November they were forced to retreat and eventually defeated
- Prompted harsher treatments against Catholics
- Pope Pius VI excommunicated Elizabeth (expelled her from the church)
What was the point of the Ridolfi Plot, 1571?
Murder Elizabeth, Spanish invasion and put Mary Queen of Scots on the throne
Who was Robert Ridolfi?
An Italian banker, one of the Pope’s spies
What were the events of the Ridolfi Plot?
- Ridolfi, Phillip II and Duke of Alba plan invasion with help of Duke of Norfolk
- Cecil intercepted letter - Norfolk executed, Mary spared
What was the significance of the Ridolfi Plot?
- Plot reinforced threat posed by Mary and by Spain
- Elizabeth tried to improve relations with the France