Elizabeth Flashcards
Who was Queen Elizabeth I?
-Her father was King Henry VIII and her mother was Anne Boleyn
-Anne Boleyn died so Henry’s 6th wife, acted as Elizabeth’s motherly figure
-She influenced Elizabeth to be Protestant
What was the role of the Royal Court?
The Royal Court was located wherever Elizabeth was. It was made up of 500 nobles who all competed for her attention. The court was a social hub which also provided the Queen with entertainment.
-There were large banquets, performances and plays which acted through subtle propaganda which displayed the Queen’s power and glorify her image
-Patronage was also used by Elizabeth to ensure people remained loyal to her as they required Elizabeth for the majority of their income
What was the role of the Privy Council?
Responsible for running day to day things in the country. They would always advise the Queen who could reject if she wished, showing her independence. There were 19 members appointed which was less than previous because it was more efficient and manageable.
-She made the members compete for her attention so she would receive contrasting advice to allow her to make the best decisions
-The Privy Council boosted her ego
The Justice of Peace was responsible for maintaining order in the country
Other early problems faced by Elizabeth
-She claimed the Irish throne but the Irish didn’t like this
-The government had to initially raise taxes
-France and Spain were Catholic, Britain were Protestant
The Role of Parliament
Elizabeth regarded Parliament as an inconvenience. Parliament created a Protestant church to restore supremacy. They were responsible for passing laws
-Parliament supported all Elizabeth’s laws, however, Puritans in Parliament tried to introduce new laws e.g. poor laws
-Elizabeth used her power to limit the influence of Parliament. Wentworth was imprisoned for arguing freedom of speech
Years of Decline
By 1590, Elizabethan government was in crisis as the country had been damaged by war, plague and poverty
-Her trusted advisors: Cecil, Walsingham and Dudley all died
-Elizabeth began to lose popularity leading to rebellions
Essex Rebellion 1601
-Cecil’s rise to power angered the Earl of Essex and created division in the council. Essex had already annoyed the Queen by secretly marrying. Essex had lost his temper and stormed out of Court
-Essex was given a second chance when Elizabeth asked for him to defeat a rebellion in Ireland. Essex instead made peace. Whilst fighting, Cecil was promoted so Essex stormed in the Queen’s room before she was wigged.
-Essex gathered 300 supporters to capture Elizabeth but lost and was put in the Tower of London
-This shows the Queen’s power as she dealt with the rebellion with ease through her network of spies
Succession Crisis
-Elizabeth was 25 and not marries which was a problem as the Tudor Dynasty would end with no heir.
She hesitated for years which annoyed the Privy Council. King Phillip of Spain was a foreign suitor but he treated her sister badly and was Catholic
-The favourite was Dudley as the two were close friends and historians believe they loved each other.
-Duke of Alencon was the last suitor who was Catholic and involved in St Bartholomew’s day Massacre.
-The heir ended up being the son of Mary, James I
Being a female ruler
-Elizabeth used her gender as a political weapon. She charmed and manipulated people to avoid situations she disliked.
-Helped to create a cult of personality
An English Renaissance
-The invention of the printing press meant ideas were spread at greater speed
-Grammar schools were set up so curriculum broadened
-English literature flourished through plays and poetry
-Rise of the gentry so more land was owned due to exploration. This drove new fashion trends such as blackened teeth, indicating you ate sugar, which was an expensive resource
-Portraits of Elizabeth also glorified her image. In particular, the Phoenix and Pelican portrait displays Elizabeth’s wealth because of her pale skin and expensive jewellery she is wearing.
The Theatre
-When Elizabeth became queen there were no theatres. The government, actors and Puritans strongly disapproved. The Queen opened the first theatre.
-Women weren’t allowed to perform so men played female roles. Theatre became enormously popular.
-Visuals and literary propaganda created cult of personality and portraits symbolised the Queen’s mystical image
-The cheap entrance fees made it popular, the theatre acted as a distraction to rebellion and a source of entertainment
-Some plays had subtle propaganda messages to flatter her and strengthen her position
Was it really a golden age?
-Execution was still used, majority of people were poor and life expectancy was still low
The Poor
-The population rapidly grew placing pressure on resources. Wages stayed the same but demand grew so prices rose
-The rich became richer and the poor became poorer. Some people living in rural areas faced agricultural problems. Changes in farming led to rack-renting so people were evicted.
-Disease was widespread
-The deserving poor was poor that the Government would help as they were unable to provide form themselves
-The idle poor were undeserving and these people were too lazy. Harman wrote a book about advising people about the idle poor’s tricks.
-In 1597, a Poor law was introduced which meant everyone had to pay towards a local poor rate. People who refused to pay could be fined
-Begging was banned
Types of poor people
Anglers - Stole clothes from washing lines
Ruffer - Dressed as army officers but stole things
Clapperdungeons - Used arsenic to make it look like bleeding
Doxy - Stole bags of goods
Counterfeit cranks - Ate soap
What was the Act of Supremacy?
Passed in 1559 which dealt with Elizabeth’s political aims. She called herself the “Supreme Governor” as she hoped to pacify the Catholics rather than “Supreme Head”
