Elizabeth Flashcards
Importance of propaganda
Portraits used to give impression of
power, crontrol, wealth & majesty
sought to convey youthfulness as grew older
celebrate successes eg defeat of Armada
convey idea of strong gov & political stability
Problems 1558
Gender - women not seen capable of ruling
danger trying to secure heir
Religion - years of upheaval
officially Catholic
Protestants want radical reform - Catholics oppose
Gov & politics - large Privy Council (loyal to Mary)
factional rivalry threat
vulnerable to potential rivals to throne (had no heir)
Soc & eco - high inflation
debasement of the coinage problems not solved
Mary war debts - insolvent crown & Crown lands sold
Foreign policy - war with France not settled
danger of Auld Alliance
Habsburg-Valois war coming to end (France/Spain larger threat)
Protestantism risk of invasion by Catholic countries
lack of control in Ireland
Immediate consolidation of power
17 Nov 1558 proclaimed Queen by Parliament
Appointed William Cecil Secretary of State
Reduced size Privy Council (40-20) - 9 new men (factionalism?)
Dec 1558 Royal Proclaimation forbade preaching prayer/practices unless already enshrined in law (stability)
15 Jan 1559 coronation - magnificence (religious aspect - God crowning)
Philip of Spain confirmed lack of opposition
1559 Elizabetthan Religious Settlement
Aims for religion
End turmoil & establish doctrine followed by all subject
Own views mostly Protestant
but did like some aspects of Catholic ceremonies
Felt faith private matter - not for state to intervene in
Viewed disobedience to religious laws challenge to authority
Via Media
Middle Way
to satisify both conservatives & reformers
Only ally 1558 = Catholic Philip of Spain
middle way essential
How she achieved religious aims
Appointed Privy Council that was Protestant
Took measures ensure complete control over clergy
1559 11 diocesses with vacancies for bishop - easily appoint Protestants
most clergy swore Oath of Allegiance
Most population conformed - little initial resistance
‘Purtian Choir’
Protestants in Parliament
pushed in more radical direction
Much opposition came from demands for more radical reform
Act of Supremacy
1559
Re-established monarch & removed Pope
Eliazbeth adopted title ‘Supreme Governor’
as compromise for Catholics
Crown had complete authority
Cleary required swear oath of loyalty
Counrt of High Commission established
to prosecute those whose loyalty was suspect
Act of Uniformity
1559
Appearance of churches restored to 1549
New english prayer book used
Communion tables replaces stone alters
(crosses & candles could be placed on)
Priests wear traditional vestments
Church attendance compulsory - fined for failure
Heavy fine for attending Catholic Mass - execution for leading
Commoners more affected by ceremonial change - compromise reflects
Fines for non-attendence initially small & often not imposed
Royal Injunctions
1559
Preachers needed license from Bishop
Every church display English bible
Pilgrimages outlawed
No more stone altars destroyed
Music allowed
Made sure only Protestant practises & services took place
Prayer Book
1559
Merged wording of 1549 & 1552 prayer books
Compromised transubstantation - 2 different wordings
Thirty-Nine Articles of Faith
1563
Set about re-writing doctrine & liturgy
Made law in 1571
Emphasised importance of predestination
Long-lasting - principle of CoE today
Act of Exchange
1559
Churches taxes paid to monarch not Pope
Parliament gave Elizabeth permission to take over Bishops’ property
Helped shortage of Crown Finances
Rarely confiscated land
threat useful deterrent & may explain lack of opposition from Bishops
Success of Religious Settlement
Established personal authority (in line w/ own belief’s)
Compromise evidence of leadership skills
Seen as final settlement - end turmoil
Vague enough to please Catholics & Protestants
No initial damage to international security
Prioritised order&conformity over devotion (unlike Edward’s gov)
Radical Protestants expected further change - small challenge
Hardcore Catholic support remained
Catholic reaction to Religious Settlement
Initially seemed relatively content
few prosecutions from non-attendence
few executed for refusing to swear Oath of Supremacy
no widespread non-attendance
lack of leadership of Catholics to rally against Settlement
1562 Pope prohibited Catholics attending Anglican services
all bishops (bar 1) rejected - replaced & imprisoned
est. 400 clergy lost post/resigned
gradually became more organised - led to Northen Rebellion
Protestant reaction to Religious Settlement
Some saw as first step of reform
some refused to accept compromise (eg. Foxe)
Puritans refused to accept - stronger in London/south/midlands
1563 Puritans tried include further measures
(eg.reduction of Holy Days / simplification of vestements)
1566 Vestiarian Controversy emerged of clothes worn by priests
Foreign policy aims 1558-1566
Protect border with Scotland
Protect trade in English Channel
Remove England from conflicts to restore Crown finances
Consolidate position
Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis
1559
End of Habsburg-Valois conflict
England agreed:
Calais remain under French control for 8 years
returned to England if peace maintained
if France failed return - pay England £125,000
Removed England from unaffordable conflict
Less likely Scotland cause problems
Crisis in Scotland/changing relations with France
Francis II became French King 1559
Married Mary Queen of Scots
brought Catholic Guise faction to power
- Mary of Guise Scottish Regent
French troops sent to Scotland
Protestant Scottish Lords asked England for assistance
Cecil urged Elizabeth to intervene & support Protestants
Cecil threatened to resign if not support
Intervention in Scotland 1560
Initially support limited by money & armaments
Dec 1559 navy sent to Firth of Forth - stop more French troops landing
Treaty of Berwick Feb 1560
England offer military support to Scottish Lords
March army sent north
Army & navy attempted siege Leith (French forces based) - failed
Mary of Guise died 1560 & severe damage to French fleet
change situation
July 1560 Cecil secured Treaty of Edinburgh
Protestant Lords of the Congregation recognised as Scottish gov
All French/English forces withdrawn from Scotland
Mary & Francis II agree not use arms/signs of England in heraldry
Impact of Treaty of Edinburgh
Scotland was Protestant nation therefore ally of England
Mary Stuart remained in France until 1561
Francis died Dec 1560 - Mary forced return to Scotland
Intervention in France
Mar 1562 conflict between French Catholics & Protestants (Huguenots)
Robert Dudley urged Elizabeth
pressure France whilst vulnerable to return Calais
Elizabeth promised Huguenots leader Prince of Condé
6000 men & £30,000 loan - England took control Le Havre as security
Huguenots army defeated
both sides sought peace
& joined together to drive England out Le Havre
England sign unfavourable Treaty of Troyes 1564
Agreed Calais not returned to England
Lost insurance fee of Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis
Blow to prestige
Long term advantage:
Calais expensive to maintain
Made Elizabeth more caution to future intervention
Society 1558-1563
Population growth:
c1.5 million (1470) - c4 million (1601)
rose 43% 1550-1600
growth higher south-east/London
due to growing imunities /relative peace
Epidemics:
Small pox 1562 (almost killed Elizabeth)
Plague 1563 in London - 20% population killed
Changes to social groups 1558 - 1563
Nobility remianed most powerful
Owned approx. 10% farmable land
Gentry grew in size/status & wealth
Increased from c300-600
Lower class rise in pop led to fall in living standards
Growth of industries in towns - increased no. waged labourers
Very limited social mobility
Economy 1558 - 1563
Inflation:
Increased 400% whole Tudor period
Causes:
Debasement
War spending
Spanish bullion
Bad harvest
Rising price of land
Dec 1560 gov ordered all debased money returned
Recoinage complete Oct 1561
1563 Statute of Artifices - wage limits for skilled workers
Gov response to poverty 1558-1563
1563 Act for the Relief of the Poor
ordered able-bodied vagabonds to be whipped
anyone refused to pay for aid of poor imprisoned
1563 Statue of Artificers
Enforcement of 7 year apprenticeship contracts
Could be taken to court for refusing to contribute to Poor Relief
Imposed fine for begging without license
Management of Royal Court
Employed c. 1500 people
Largely staffed by women
Restricted no. men close proximity to Queen
Female staff tended daughters/wives of leading poloticians
eg. Lettice Knolleys married Walter Devereux
Promoted if loyal to Elizabeth
tended to promote men who flattered her (‘court favourites’)
ed. Robert Dudley
Elizabeth banish anyone who offened her
eg. Earl of Leicester after secrete marriage to Knolley
Use of patronage
Granted monopoly over certain trade/rights to foreign exploration
eg. Earl of Essex over sweet wines
Used potential to gain peerage to control nobles
only granted 18 throughout reign
fewer nobles 1603 than 1558
No single councillor
had control of patronages
Sir Christopher Hatton
Attracted Elizabeth’s attention 1561
soon became one of her ‘favourites’
1564 became Gentleman of the Privy Chamber
1577 became member of Privy Council & knighted
1578 granted Bishop of Ely’s house - despite Bishop’s protest
Factional rivalry
1558-1563
period of domestic tranquillity
Rivalry between key nobles
vying for position as favourite
or gain titles/land
Key rivals:
William Cecil v Robert Dudley
Peace v war factions (Netherlands 1570s)
Robert Cecil v Earl of Essex
Use of Privy Council
Did not make any significant changes to gov
Reduced size to 20 members
more efficient/easier to manage/reduced power of trad nobility
↳appointed opposing views to receive range advice
↳sometimes led disagreement/rivalry
↳replaced many pro-Catholics with professional administrators
Little debate - to small & narrow?
↳not representative of many institutes of ruling classes
Most important role advisory
eg. 1574 readiness of troops to intervene in Ireland
1570s Council reshaped
influence of trad conservatives reduced
new appointments Protestant
eg. Walsingham, Mildmay & Earl of Warwick
‘Inner ring’ of 8 councillors now advised
Met more frequently in times of crisis
eg. 1590s met 6 days a week
Later years of privy council
1580s weakened by death of
Earl of Leicester & 11 others
↳delayed making new appointments
↳tended to appoint sons who lacked fathers’ skills eg Robert Cecil
↳now failed to represent any major nobility
Had less control over factionalis
Local & regional government
JPs:
mostly appointed from
gentry/wealthy in particular towns
responsible for:
↳local administration eg. Poor Laws
↳punishment of local criminals
↳settling disputed
est c.50 per county by 1600
lived in communities
∴open to bribery/corruption
Lord Lieutenants:
appointed permanently in nearly every county by 1560
responsible for:
raising troops
overseeing JPs
reporting local affairs to privy council
Leading Courtiers
William Cecil (Lord Burghley)
↳made Secretary of State 1558
↳made Lord Treasurer 1572
Robert Dudley (Earl of Leicester)
↳’court favourite’
Sir Francis Walsingham
↳made Secretary of State 1573
↳established spy network
Sir Christopher Hatton
↳considered one of ‘favourites’
Sir Walter Raleigh
↳became ‘favourite’ 1581
Robert Devereux (Earl of Essex)
↳1589 took part in attack of Spain (ordered not to by Elizabeth)
↳Urged more aggressive foreign policy
Robert Cecil
↳unofficial spokesperson in Parliament
↳supervised arrangement for succession of James I
Parliament during Elizabeth’s reign
Transformation into
more powerful & vocal body
representing gentry
Elizabeth’s relationship with Parliament
Less important than in Henry VIII’s reign
Elizabeth saw as ‘necessary evil’
Elizabeth preferred to rule alone
Parliament’s role
Legislative: passed 438 Acts
on issues eg. religion/social policy
Taxation: 11/13 called to raise revenue
Advice: not interest in advice from MPs
forbade discussion of marriage/succession
Management of Parliament (positive)
William Cecil managed
Commons & Gov legislative programme
Privy councillors freq. introduced bills
& sat on committees to ensure
Elizabeth’s desires given approval
Management of Parliament (negative)
1563/1566 Elizabeth irritated over discussion of issue of marriage
Refused Royal Assent for 60 bills
(15 in 1585)
MP Peter Wentworth arrested & imprisoned twice for open discussion of the succession
(1593 arrested & imprisoned ‘til death)
1601 relationship broke down
over issue of monopolies
↳Crown lost control of debate & had to compromise
Golden Speech
1601
Final Parliamentary session of her reign
Either Elizabeth felt need to repair relationship
or evidence of skilful leadership
Left long-lasting positive memory of her
Mary Queen of Scots background
Direct descendant of Margaret Tudor
Married Francis II of France
Figurehead of Catholics
who disliked Elizabeth
Fled to England 1567
Ridolfi Plot
1571
Conspiracy by Ridolfi (Italian banker)
MQS marry Duke of Norfolk
& overthrow Elizabeth
Plan to land Spanish troops in Essex
& march on London
Discovered when messenger caught
Some historians believe set-up by Cecil to catch Duke of Norfolk
Significance:
↳Norfolk executed
↳No evidence of widespread support
↳Added paranoia after Northern Rising/excommunication 1570
Throckmorton Plot
1583
Led by Spanish Ambassador
Plan Spanish landing in Sussex
overthrow Elizabeth
replace with MQS
Hoped gain support of
Earls of Northumberland & Arundel
Foiled by Walsingham’s spy network
Significance:
↳Led to creation of Bond of Association
↳Worsened Anglo-Spanish relations (ambassador expelled)
↳Arundel imprisoned
↳Conditions of MQS captivity tightened
More serious threat than Ridolfi
Parry Plot
1585
Welsh gentry & MP William Parry
plotted assassination
Significance:
↳accelerated parliamentary proceedings on a bill to ensure Queen’s safety
Babbington Plot
1586
Mary found complicit in plot in assassinate Elizabeth
↳Babbington wrote Mary asking for approval - she gave
Exposed by Walsingham’s codebreaker
↳Probably set up by him
Significance:
↳Enabled Cecil to secure execution of MQS
Trail & execution of MQS
1587
Elizabeth initial reactant to take significant action against another monarch
↳refused execution 1571-86
Proof of involvement in Babbington Plot - felt had no option
Reluctant to order execution
↳Burghley pressured Parliament to influence Elizabeth
Death warrant signed 1 Feb 1587
Execution not public - feared seen as Catholic martyr & encourage further Catholic plots supported by Spain
Cause of tension with Spain 1563-1588
- Issue of MQS
- Situation in Netherlands
- Actions of English privateers
- Religious differences
Problem in the Netherland 1563-1588
Philip becomes Lord of the Netherlands 1555
Netherlands nobility resented
Philip’s autocratic style
& Protestant Calvinist rebellions broke out
1566 Philip sent 10,000 troops
led by Duke of Alba
Netherlands had economic importance
↳most English cloth sold in ports eg. Antwerp
Potential staging point of invasion
Policy towards Spanish 1560-1570
Initially cautious
tried to encourage rebels
whilst distancing herself
to avoid antagonising Philip
Almost 20 yrs official neutrality
Allowed rebel ships to enter ports
English pirate ships regularly disrupted Spanish ships (delivering supplies)
Division over policy amongst councillors
Foreign policy in 1560s
1562
Kept troops from joining Huguenot army after Philip complained about support for Protestants
1563
Banned all imports from Netherlands
after Philip banned import English cloth
Both backed down 1564
& trade resumed
1566-67
Concern in council over Spanish troops sent to Netherlands for rebellions
1568
Spain expelled English ambassador
& replaced their ambassador with hard-line Catholic (De Spes) - Elizabeth took no action
(symbolic - complete break down of relations)
Ships seized Spanish bullion & Spanish ships attacked Hawkins’ fleet in Caribbean
Alba confiscated all English ships docked after seizing bullion
Elizabeth banned all trade with Spain & Netherlands
trade not fully restored until 1573
1569
De Spes encouraged Northern Rebellion & attempts to replace with MQS
1570
Elizabeth considered marriage to Duke of Anjou - form Anglo-French alliances before French-Spanish form
Causes for deteriorating Spanish relations 1570-1585
1570 Pope excommunicated
(effectively gave permission for Catholic to overthrow)
Spanish supported Catholic plots - forced gov to suppress Catholics
Policy became more confrontational
both sought avoid direct conflict
Spanish threat 1570-1585
1576 Dutch rebels issued
Pacification of Ghent
demanded expulsion of troops from area & return to autonomous nation
Suited Elizabeth
Dutch rebels split - Protestant Union of Utrecht in north & Catholic Union of Arras in south (made peace w/ Philip)
Duke of Parma appointed conquer rest region
↳achieved military advances in north
French Catholics made peace with Philip in Treaty of Joinville 1584
↳inc. plan support MQS
1580 Philip annexed Portugal
Anti-Spanish policy 1580s
Supported Dom Antonio (prentender to Portugese throne)
Rewarded Drake for plunder of Spanish ships
Treated Spanish Ambassador w/ contempt
Agreed alliance w/ Dutch Protestants
in Treaty of Nonsuch 1584
↳committed sent troops help fight Spanish
Direct intervention in Netherlands 1585-1588
1585
gave into persuasion from Leicester
sent him w/ troops
Expedition lacked military success
↳ill-disciplined troops
↳desertion of 2 nobles
↳Leicester acting without consolation
eg. accepted post Governor-General from Dutch - direct conflict with orders
1588 gave title/command of army & returned to England
Philip responded preparing Armada
to laugh attack & remove Elizabeth from throne & restore Catholicism
Spanish Armada Plan
1588
Plan:
130 warships leave Spain
Sail to Netherlands
↳collect Parma’s army 30,000 men
Land in England
↳overthrow Elizabeth & restore Catholicism
Causes of Armadas defeat (English strength)
English strength:
↳Navy prepared
↳Lord Howard allowed Spanish to pass fleet in Channel - forced them into south-westerly winds
↳Drake Vice-Admiral of fleet - experience successfully engaging Spanish
↳Used fire ships to destroy Spanish ships when sought refuge off French coast (after unable to reach Parma)
↳Ships had long-range guns (important in Battle of Gravelines)
↳Elizabeth gave speech to rally army
↳Duke of Medina-Sidonia had to abandon plan & pull away from English Gunfire
Causes of Armadas defeat (English strength)
Navy prepared
Lord Howard allowed Spanish to pass fleet in Channel - forced them into south-westerly winds
Drake Vice-Admiral of fleet - experience successfully engaging Spanish
↳Elizabeth supported his privateering
Used fire ships to destroy Spanish ships when sought refuge off French coast (after unable to reach Parma)
Ships had long-range guns (important in Battle of Gravelines)
Elizabeth gave speech to rally army
Duke of Medina-Sidonia had to abandon plan & pull away from English Gunfire
Rallied army of 30,000 in Essex led by Leicester to repel land invasion
Causes of Armada defeat (Spanish failure)
Advisors not taken into account shallow water of Dutch ports/south-westerly Channel winds
Fleet underprepared & lacked previsions (partly due to Drake’s attack on Cadiz 1587 destroyed 100 ships)
Planned on expectation sight of fleet would cause abandonment of Protestantism & land invasion not necessary
Leader (Duke of Medina-Sidonia) lack little naval experience
Bad weather on Spanish return home led to ship wreaks - less than 1/2 returned
Importance of victory over Armada
Important:
Used as propaganda
Sign of God’s approval for gov/Church
Not important:
Not turning point in Spanish relations - continued for 15 years
Cost £161,000
Foreign policy aims 1588-1603
- Removal of Spanish presence from Netherlands/English Channel
- Achieve balance of power between Spain/France (weaken threat from both)
- Defend home waters
- Achieve above with as little impact on Crown finances/economy as possible
Foreign policy 1588-1603
Refused expand army past 7000 men
& hope reduce commitments to overseas campaigns
∵depleted funds
Crown lands sold off, taxes raised, nobles forced give loans & Ship Money demanded from non-costal regions
Had aversion to war like Henry VII
& could not afford more aggressive approach like Henry VIII in 1530s
Reliant on advice & leadership fro
council & private captains
↳motivation of ‘Sea Dogs’ was private gain - often disobeyed riders to take opportunities
War with Spain 1588-1595
1589
↳failed attack on Portugal by Drake
fleet 15,000 men & 130 ships
aimed put Dom Antonio on throne
↳sent £20,000 & 400 men to support Henry IV new French king in attack from Netherlands
1590
Duke of Parma invaded France
1591
Spain capture ship ‘Revenge’ (most killed)
1592-93
sent 20,000 men to France led by Devereux - returned failure
Henry declares himself Catholic
1594
English/Dutch troops expelled Spanish from Netherlands - south gain some autonomy
1595
Drake & Hawkins die in attack on Spanish fleet
War with Spain 1596-1603
1596
Raleigh & Essex led 80,000 men on raid Cadiz - destroyed approx. 50 ships & captured treasure
Elizabeth refused allow Essex establish permanent base in Cadiz
↳Second Armada battered by storms
1597
Essex & Raleigh attempt attack on Spain - weather pushed to Plymouth
↳Third Armada failed ∵bad weather
1598
Treaty of Vervins - Spanish/French peace
Phillip dies - war continues
1599-1603
Launched campaigns to crush rebellions in Ireland
32,000 troops & over £1 million committed
Defeat crucial to stop acting staging point for Spanish invasion
1601
Fourth Armada laughed in Ireland - defeated
Navy focussed preventing further landing in Ireland - cost £320,000
1604
19 yrs war ends
Leaders of Northern Rebellion
Earl of Northumberland (Thomas Percy)
↳Catholic
↳head most important northern noble family
Earl of Westmorland (Charles Neville)
↳Brother-in-law Duke of Norfolk
Leonard Dacre
↳Cousin Northumberland
Causes of Northern Rebellion
Factionalism:
↳Discovery of Ridolfi plot - Earl of Westmorland knew about plot, Queen now had evidence of treason
Religion:
Recent appointments to diocese of Durham radical Protestants - led to popular protests
Local factors:
Westmorland/Northumberland felt dishonoured being cut from Council of the North & resented appointment of outsiders
Timeline of Northern Rebellion
Autum 1569
Northumberland/Westmorland summoned court - rumours planning rebellion
↳forced outright rebellion, expected arrested for treason if went
Nov
Seized Durham with approx. 6,000 supporters
Moved south - chose not lay siege York
Dec
Captured Barnard Castle (Crown stronghold) & Hartlepool
Hoped receive Spanish fleet to join & overthrow Elizabeth
Failed to gain support & army moved north
Earls disbanded forced & fled to Scotland
Jan 1570
Dacre attempted restart in Cumberland - forced destroyed by army near Carlisle
Causes of Northern Rebellions failure
Lack of clear motive
Lack of effective leadership
No support among key nobles
Did not capture York
Poorly organised
No foreign support
Decisive action by authorities
Significance of Northern Rebellion
Positive:
Crown dealt effectively with rebellion
66 rebels executed
Northumberland executed 1572
Negative:
Lack of Northern support for Queen
Westmorland survived
Shows poor handling of regions by gov
Shows resistance to Protestant reforms
Causes of Essex rebellion
Factional rivalry:
Essex ‘favourite’ - acted increasingly arrogance & created enemies at court
Failure in Ireland:
1599 charged treason, failed follow orders leading campaign against Irish rebels
Loss of monopoly/favour:
Elizabeth denied position & refused renew of monopoly on imported sweet wines (lost approx. £50,000 pa)
Competition between councillors:
Blamed Cecil for position - met James VI to plot coup & replace Cecil
Essex Rebellion key advents
1601
Plan:
secure Palace of Whitehall, storm Tower of London & purge privy council of Cecil/followers
Cecil heard of plans
∴Essex planned demonstration in London against Cecil
Failure - gathered around 300 supporters
Queen sent message to dismiss supporters
Essex took hostage 4 messengers
then tried gain support in London
Gained no support
Cecil had fortified key palaces
Essex forced to surrender
Essex & 5 associates executed
Threat of Essex Rebellion
Threat:
Shows danger of factional rivalry
Betrayal of trusted person
Took place in London
Shows problem caused by lack of heir & refusal to name successor
Not threat:
Quickly dealt with
People in London did not support
Poorly planned & disorganised
Control of Ireland
1569-73 & 1582
rebellions against English rule (brutally suppressed)
1595-1603
Earl of Tyrone led uprising
↳Spanish attempted use to attack in 2nd Armada
1598
Tyrone in control most Ireland after winning
Battle of Yellow Ford in 1598
(danger of becoming independent Catholic nation)
1599
Earl of Essex sent as Lord Lieutenant
disobeyed by delaying attacks & negotiating truce with Tyrone without permission
1601
Tyrone started retreat after new Lord Lieutenant (Lord Mountjoy) won Dec 1601
1603
Tyrone signs peace treaty with Mountjoy (after Elizabeth’s death)
Control of Wales
Continued to integrate into England
Council of Wales & Warden of the Marches worked effectively
Welsh language disappeared in official gov documents but religion in Welsh
Many Welsh gentry prospered but poverty widespread
Large proportion Essex Rebellion supports Welsh
Control of the North
Maintenance of law & order remained with Council of the North
Boarder became key issue 1578-1585
Scottish Lords faced challenge to leadership
↳area plagued by lawlessness, violence & cattle theft
Elizabeth’s response:
Appointed southerns as boarder wardens (more confident in loyalty - like HVIII)
↳struggled to govern effectively without own land base
↳appointed Sir John Forster (lesser northern landowner) 1560 - corrupt & ineffective
After murder Earl of Bedford’s son 1585 in boarder incident negotiated with James VI
↳resolved by agreeing pay him pension £4000 (strong hints about his succession)
Causes of Religious Settlements survival
Radicalism failed to gain support
Elizabeth impose authority upon Church
↳Archbishop of Canterbury Whitgift helped block radical Protestantism
↳Court of High Commission (1559) & Treason act allow prosecution of radicals
Parliament quick to impose anti-Catholic laws
Anglicanism developed into religious identity people wished to defend
Catholicism discredited due to rebellions & Spain
Threat of Puritans (Vestiarian Controversy)
1566
Group clergymen (inc Puritans)
not obey Act of Uniformity rules on
clerical dress
↳considered trad robes ‘Popish rags’
Archbishop of Canterbury Matthew Parker
issued Book of Advertisements
insisting all clergy conform
37 London clergymen refused
deprived of post
Threat of Puritans (Presbyterians)
Voiced ideas 2 pamphlets Admonitions
attacked Book of Common Prayer
& called for abolition of
posts of bishops & restructuring of Church
Sparked intellectual debate (not threat)
1570 Thomas Cartwright argued
Church should organised around
national assemblies & committees
not strict hierarchy of command
↳debated in Parliament - rejected
Elizabeth horrified
fuelled by removal of MQS from Scottish throne by Presbyterians
39 articles approved in response
& all clergy accept before gaining post
Largely confined to south-east & some east-Midlands
Cecil/Leicester saw advantage
defence against Catholicism
Threat of Puritans (Prophesying)
Organised gatherings of clergymen
met to train/advice
young/unlicensed preachers
Gov became increasingly alarmed
1576 Elizabeth ordered
new Archbishop Canterbury Grindal
suppress prophesying
refused accept as threat
& lectured her about importance
of spreading word of God
Grindal put under house arrest 7 years
Threat of Puritans (attack on Presbyterians)
Archbishop John Whitgift
led purging of Presbyterians
in 1583
Shared Elizabeth’s view
helped enforce uniformity
Issued 3 articles clergy had to follow:
1. Acknowledge Royal Supremacy
2. Accept Prayer Book contains nothing ‘contrary to Word of God’
3. Accept 39 Articles conferred to word of God
Caused uproar
300 ministers suspended in South
Whitgift set tone for control of Church
& survival of Via Media
Most Presbyterians conformed
rather than split from Church
Puritan influence persisted in Parliament
Campaign 1586-87 for
Calvinist prayer book
led by 1 MP
Support for Calvinist structure remained low
Threat of Puritans (Separatist movement)
Believed Church incapable
reforming itself to root out
‘Popish’ practices & superstitions
1580s distinct movement emerged
led by Robert Browne
went into exile 1582
& congregation disbanded
Late 1580s, series of bitter anonymous attacks on Church published
1593 Parliament passed
Act Against Seditious Sectaries
give authorities power
execute anyone suspected separatists
By end reign
influence Puritans in decline
Threat of Catholics (Catholic reaction)
Most conformed to laws & attended services
but retained own beliefs
Active minority refused to swear
Oath of Supremacy
some went into exile abroad rather than conform
Catholic nobility retained private chaplains to conduct
secret Catholic services
Changes in treatment of Catholic after 1569
Gov took harsher line
after Northern Rebellion
Increased after excommunication 1570
Catholic missions
1568 college formed Netherlands
train Catholic priests
to sent to England
to keep Catholicism alive
By 1575 only 11 priests arrived
179 1580-1585
Operated in secret from country houses
of nobles/gentry
If caught executed
Jesuits
From 1580 Society of Jesus
began sending priests
known as Jesuits to England
Mission actively reconvert
Gained some support in England
had limited success
Penal laws against Catholics
1571
Publication of Papal Bull
made treasonable
1581
Act to Retain the Queen’s Majesty’s Subjects in their Due Obedience
made treason to withdraw alliance
to queen/Church of England
↳saying mass punishable by heavy fine & imprisonment
↳Recusancy increased to £20 per month
↳4 priests executed 1581 & 11 1582
1584
Bond of Association for the Preservation of the Queen Majesty’s Royal Person
response to Throckmorton plot
anyone who took Oath of Association
expected execute anyone who attempted usurp throne/make attempt threat Elizabeth’s life
1585
Act Against Jesuits & Seminary Priests
made treasonable priests ordained
by Pope enter England
123 executed 1568-1601
1587
Law against recusancy tightened
2/3 priests estate could seized by Exchequer of refused
pay £20 a month fine
Population growth 1563-1603
London 60,000 (1520) -> 200,000 (1600)
↳South-east grew faster than north
Life expectancy increased 35 -> 40
1551/52 plague outbreaks
1556/58 influenza epidemic
Inflation 1563-1603
Population increases = pressure on agriculture
Prices rises, higher rents & higher wages
1500-1600 prices rose 400%
Wages in countryside failed keep up price rises
Rapid inflation due to:
Rapid population growth
Poor harvest
Increase money supply from Spanish mines
Increased demand for goods from war
mid 1590s multiple bad harvests
put pressure on prices
some parts of country faced famine
↳1595 food riots London & 1596-8 in East Anglia
By 1590s standard of living fell for workers as cost of living increased
60% population lived at/below poverty line
Gov response to inflation/poverty 1563-1603
Early 1560s began recoinage
Statute of Artifices 1563
set wage limits for workers
1570s Privy Council ordered
gov of City of London
to hand out corn to poor
tried to stop exports of corm
Change for nobility 1563-1603
Remained stable
Relative fall in status as gentry became increasingly wealth & important
Change for gentry 1563-1603
Approx. 4500 families
Continued growth as class
experience increased status & wealth
Change for people in the countryside 1563-1603
Enclosure allowed some landowners to improve efficiency & increase profits
↳continued to push smaller farmers off land
↳cause some local tension
Some developments in farming created prosperity for gentry & yeoman
↳imported cattle increased milk yield
↳more land irrigated
↳marshes/fens drained create more arable/grazing land
Labourers affected by increasing food prices & increased rent
Gap between rural poor & wealthy grew
Changes for people in towns 1563-1603
Faced overcrowding & poor housing
vulnerable to spread of disease
1571 London described as ‘stinking city’
disease spread through unclean water supply
Evictions from land led to increased town populations - led to increased fear vagrancy
As prices increased many craftsmen found hard to maintain standard of living
Merchants/lawyers self-employed
depended on profits not wages
Houses built & no. theatres grew
reflects prosperity
By 1590s growing urban population experienced widespread poverty & famine - linked social unrest
Social reforms 1563-1603
1563
Statues of Artificers
↳Enforced 7 year apprenticeship contracts enforced by JPs
↳Fixed wages to control inflation
↳Property owners punished by fines/imprisonment if refused contribute
1572
Poor Relief Act
↳Compulsory contribution to poor relief organised by parish overseers
↳Each parish keep register of poor & provide shelter for poor/sick
↳Increased punishment for vagrancy - 1st offence punished by whipping/hole bored in ear & 3rd offence could result death penalty
1597
Poor Relief Act
↳Towns required find work for unemployed
↳JPs to buy raw material for deserving poor
Act for the Punishment of Rogues, Vagabonds & Beggars
↳Each county to have ‘house of correction’
↳1st time caught - whipped & returned to parish of birth, reoffenders forced work as oarsmen or executed
1601
Poor Law Act
↳Brought earlier laws together into one act & issued
Trade & Exploration
Mary/Elizabeth played key role
developing navy
By 1570s seen as sea-faring nation
willing & able to trade with world
North East passage
1553
Willoughby & Chancellor sailed north east
profitable trading relationship with Russia
via Muscovite Company
1560s
Jenkinson explored south from Russia
into Persia & establish trade link
Muscovite Company traded with Baltic states
challenged monopoly of Hanseatic League
North West passage
1576
Frobisher sailed to Canada
attempt to create trade route to China failed
1577-80
Drake attempted create China trade route via North American - failed
1585-87
Davis made valuable contributions to mapping of America
failed establish any real trade links
Slave trade with the West Indies
Portugal/Spain had monopoly
Hawkins captured locals in Africa 1562 & took them to West Indies
brought home money & sugar
valuable trade established
1564 group of shareholders funded 2nd trip - Cecil, Leicester & Queen secret gave funds
2nd voyage = tension with Spain
1567 Hawkins financed by Queen
failed & Hawkins narrowly escaped Spanish
Drake’s circumnavigation massive propaganda coup
undermined Spain’s reputation
Drake’s voyage 1577-80 made 4000% profits
Colonisation
Humphrey failed colonise part of North West America
↳had been granted monopoly by Queen & given rights over land laid claim to
Raleigh attempted colonise Virginia 1585 & 1587 - failed
1587 White landed Roanoke Island & established 1st permanent English settlement with 120 men, women & children - left to report to Crown & returned 2 years later & no sign of colonists
Attempts to trade with India
1583
Newbery & Fitch made overland journey to India & visited Portuguese colony of Goa
1600 creation East India company
successful exploiting trade relations with India - not until after 1603
Art
Artists like Issac Oliver produced miniature portraits
Nobility/gentry/courtiers provided patronage by sitting for portraits - Leicester & Queen commissioned multiple
Nicholas Howard popular portrait artist
↳painted ‘young man amongst roses’ - probably Earl of Essex
Copies of Elizabeth image frequently reproduced & popular among all classes
Architecture
Queen reluctant to build costly new palaces
Nobility/wealthy gentry used ex-monastic land to build extravagant manor houses
eg. Hatfield House built by Robert Cecil
Literature
Increased education led to development highly literate public
Growth of theatre in London led to emergence of influence of playwrights eg. Marlowe & Shakespeare
audience from all classes enjoyed productions at theatres eg. Globe & Swan
Companies of actors sponsored by courtiers
Sidney & Spencer modernised literature by adapting classical forms
Some political & can interpret as criticising court
eg. staging of Richard II during Essex Rebellion
Music
Elizabeth’s support saved entries old religious musical culture of cathedrals & Oxbridge colleges by new works written by Tallis & Byrd
↳Puritans criticised music in churches
↳Tallis & Byrd secretly Catholic heretics - saved by skill/court connections
Secular music flourished at court
Renaissance ideas promoted musical skill
Flourished at popular level
official town bands (wait)
Broadside Ballads popular & often bawdy
Effectiveness of financial policy
Policy was strictest budget possible
Role of Exchequer increased
Made £600,000 from sale Crown lands
Increased parliamentary taxes
Sold monopolies
Inflation & war with Spain left her in debt
Approach to government
Cautious & conservative style of gov
Financially weak
Policy conservative & reactive
Control of gov in final years
Slow to appoint replacements
after death of Privy Councillors
By 1597 only 11 members of Privy Council - no senior noblemen from great families eg. Howards
Rivalry between Robert Cecil & Robert Devereux distrusted gov
Poor harvests disrupted local gov
Faced challenges in Parliament
European suitors
Philip of Spain
↳rejected (wisdom of Elizabeth) unpopular at court under Mary
Ferdinand & Charles (sons of HRE)
↳Ferdinand Catholic
↳Charles considered for nearly decade & used in attempts to secure alliance with Habsburgs & HRE
Prince Eric of Sweden
↳Protestant
Duke of Alencon (later Duke of Anjou)
↳Elizabeth dubbed him her ‘frog’
↳Cecil urged for alliance against Spain
English suitors
Earl of Arundel
↳Catholic
Robert Dudley
↳Implicated in murder of wife 1560
↳Marriage would cause factional rivalry
Succession crisis
1562
Elizabeth caught smallpox
Recovered but created urgency regarding marriage & succession
1563 Parliament urged name successor but Elizabeth refused
Elizabeth & Parliament clashed several times over issue
Main contenders for succession
Mary Queen of Scots
↳Granddaughter Margaret Tudor
↳Catholic
James VI
↳Son MQS
↳Protestant ∴more acceptable for Elizabeth/council
Catherine & Mary Grey
↳Granddaughters Mary Tudor (HVIII sister) & sister Lady Jane Grey
↳Both Protestant
Upon death only strong contender James
