Elizabeth and her Government

Question 1

Who were Elizabeth’s parents?

Answer 1

Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn

Question 2

How did Elizabeth ascend the throne?

Answer 2

When Henry VIII died, Edward VI took the throne at age 9, but died when he was 15. Mary (Anne’s half sister) became Queen and put Elizabeth in jail for ‘rebelling’ against her. When Mary died without any children, Elizabeth became Queen

Question 3

When did Elizabeth become Queen?

Answer 3

1558

Question 4

Define Court

Answer 4

People close to the Queen, who could influence her on important decisions

Question 5

Define Privy council

Answer 5

Debated issues, oversaw laws, money and parliament. Chosen by Liz

Question 6

Define parliament

Answer 6

House of Lords and Commons:
- passed laws
- gave permission for extra taxes

Question 7

Define lord lieutenant

Answer 7

In charge of training local military forces

Question 8

Define Justices of Peace

Answer 8

Landowners who kept law and order in their local area

Question 9

What was the Divine Right of Kings?

Answer 9

Believed they had the right to run a country because of the ‘grace of God’

Question 10

What was the Royal Prerogative?

Answer 10

Only the Queen had the right to discuss certain issues

Question 11

Define the position of ‘secretary of state’ and name an example

Answer 11

The second in charge, advised the Queen on important matters, such as Sir William Cecil

Question 12

What was the difference between the Gentry and the Nobility?

Answer 12

Gentry: wealthy who owned lots of land
Nobility: had titles and included royalty

Question 13

Describe the Royal Court

Answer 13

• run by Lord Chamberlain
• Consisted of the Queen’s household} 500 nobles, advisors, offiicals and servants
• Court = centre of political power

Question 14

Describe who William Cecil was

Answer 14

• secretary of state + E;izabeth’s most trusted adviser
• key role in developing poor laws and religious policies
• protestant - encouraged her to fight against Catholic Rivals + to take Ireland

Question 15

Describe who Francis Walsingham was

Answer 15

• Secretary of state (post Cecil) + Liz spy master - had a network of informers
• in charge of foreign affairs + key role in the execution of Mary Queen of Scots

Question 16

Describe who Duke of Norfolk was

Answer 16

• Liz second cousin + richest and most powerful noble in the country
• Lord Lieutenant of the North, involved in a plot against Liz

Question 17

Describe who Robert Dudley was

Answer 17

• childhood friend
• rumours of his and Liz <3
• responsible for Liz personal safety
• Earl of Leicester

Question 18

What were progresses?

Answer 18

Travelled around the country, staying at rich people’s houses
→ allowed the Queen to maintain bonds with her courtiers + nobility
→ allowed palace to be fumigated when Liz was away } reduce risk of plague

Question 19

What was patronage?

Answer 19

Favouritism of certain individuals - made all loyal to Liz and each other competitors

Question 20

How many times was Parliament called during Liz’s reign?

Answer 20

13 times, mainly to discuss taxes

Question 21

How did Liz maintain control over Parliament?

Answer 21

• imprisoned awkward MPs: Peter Wentworth
• could dissolve Parliament any time she wanted
• Royal Veto
• attended Parliament when she needed a new law passed

Question 22

List Liz’s problems

Answer 22

• Legitamacy: legitimate claim to the throne?
• marriage and gender
• finances - England in debt of £300,000
• France and Scotland’s new alliance
• Mary lost Calais to France
• Religion

Question 23

What were the advantages of marriage?

Answer 23

• Heir would make England’s future more stable
• would strengthen Liz’s position
• alliance with a foreign country/ powerful English family

Question 24

What were the disadvantages of marriage?

Answer 24

• threat of losing power
• marrying foreign king/ prince = England under their control

Question 25

Who were Liz’s potential suitors?

Answer 25

• Robert Dudley
• Francis, Duke of Anjou
• King Phillip II of Spain

Question 26

Why were the 1590s known as the ‘years of decline’?

Answer 26

England was plagued with
- harvest failure
- plague
- poverty
- war
Patronage system had failed and much of the Queen’s privy council had died. Queen became depressed

Question 27

Who was behind the Essex Rebellion?

Answer 27

Earl of Essex - Robert Devereux

Question 28

What were the causes of the Essex rebellion?

Answer 28

• Essex’s actions had often angered the Queen - led to his banishment from Court
• When he learnt that Cecil had been promoted, he burst into Elizabeth’s chambers before she was wigged or gowned } this placed him under house arrest

Question 29

Describe the events of the Essex rebellion

Answer 29

• Gathered 300 supporters + began to fortify his mansion
• stormed to Ldn to capture the Queen

Question 30

Describe the consequences of the Essex Rebellion

Answer 30

• Rumours of treason and rebellion began to spread
• PC busted his house and were held as hostages instead
• Government responded quickly, only lasted 12 hours
• most of his supporters desserted him after being offered a royal pardon
• executed in 1601 @ the Tower of London

Question 31

What was the Suffolk claim to the throne?

Answer 31

Descendents of Henry VIII’s youngest sister Mary, Duchess of Suffolk
→ granddaughter Lady Jane Grey already executed but Lady Catherine and Lady Mary remaining
→ Both Protestant

Question 32

What was the Stuart claim to the throne?

Answer 32

Descendents of Henry VIII’s eldest sister } Margaret Queen of Scotland
→ Mary, Queen of Scots had a stronger claim, she was a devout Catholic

Question 33

Why was succession an issue?

Answer 33

Liz nearly died of smallpox and didn’t have any children, so England would be vulnerable to takeover after her death if she didn’t sort this out

Question 34

What was the resolution to the succession issue?

Answer 34

Scottish King, James VI claimed the throne
→ his claim was recognised by Cecil, but Liz refused to actually name him heir
→ Cecil arranged for an easy transition
→ began Stuart reign