Early Elizabethan England 1558-88 ( Queen,Government and religion - Challenges to Elizabeth at home and abroad) Flashcards
Give 2 reasons why Elizabeth’s gender was a problem when she became queen.
1) There was a belief that women were weak and this made England vulnerable to invasion.
2) Concerns over who she would marry because she was a women and the man would have a lot of power.
Why was religion a problem for Elizabeth when she became queen?
- England had been through years of religious change and turmoil
- The country was still split between Catholics and Protestants.
Why was Elizabeth’s legitimacy questioned by some in England?
- Henry VIII had declared Elizabeth illegitimate soon after he executed her mother (Anne Boleyn).
- Catholics do not recognize divorce so believed Henry VIII’s marriage to Anne Boleyn was not legitimate because he had supposedly divorced Catherin of Aragon his previous wife.
From which country did Elizabeth face the most serious threat of invasion when she became queen in 1558?
France
Which body had to be consulted if Tudor monarchs wanted more money?
Parliament.
How many times did Parliament meet during Elizabeth’s 45 year reign?
13
What was the name of the body of Elizabeth’s advisors?
The Privy Council.
How many men sat on the privy council?
19 and this was the total number of members of the privy council.
What was the name given to the growing middle class?
The gentry. William Cecil was a member of the gentry.
How much debt did Elizabeth inherit when she became queen?
£300,000
What were 2 of Elizabeth’s aims regarding religion?
1) To unite Catholics and Protestants.
2) To gain power over the church.
Wo was Sir Francis Walshingham?
He was a close advisor of Elizabeth and her spymasters.
Who was Robert Dudley the Earl of Leicester?
He was a leading Nobleman, advisor and favourite of Queen Elizabeth.
What did Elizabeth do in 1559 to solve the issue of religious division?
She created the Religious Settlement.
Give 2 prominent features of the Religious Settlement of 1559.
1) The act of Supremacy.
2) The act of Uniformity.
Give 3 features of the act of Supremacy in 1559.
1) It re-established the break from Rome and an independent Church of England and all members of the clergy had to swear an oath of loyalty to Elizabeth.
2) Elizabeth was Supreme Governor (not head) of the Church of England. This meant Catholics could still recognise the Pope as head of the Church.
3) To please Catholics she kept Archbishops and Bishops.
Give 6 features of the Act of Uniformity.
1) Catholic Mass was abandoned.
2) The Bible was written in English (to please Protestants).
3) Ornaments such as crosses and candles could be placed on the communion table (to please Catholics).
4) Priests had to wear traditional-style vestments (to please Catholics).
5) Clergy were allowed to marry.
6) Failure to attend church meant you could be fined.
How were the Act of Uniformity and the Act of Supremacy viewed at the time?
The majority were happy but Puritans and extreme Catholics thought it gave too much away to the “other side”.