Elizabeth Chapter 2- The difficulties of a female ruler

Question 1

What succession problems did Elizabeth I face when she became queen?

Answer 1

-Last living child of Henry VIII with no children
-Unclear who would succeed her if she died
-1562: Elizabeth nearly died of smallpox, increasing anxiety about succession
-Senior figures pressured her to marry to secure an heir

Question 2

What religious challenges did Elizabeth I face early in her reign?

Answer 2

-England’s official religion had changed multiple times, causing instability
-Many Catholics didn’t trust Elizabeth & questioned her legitimacy
-Puritanism, a radical form of Protestantism, threatened the religious settlement

Question 3

What were Elizabeth I’s foreign policy challenges?

Answer 3

-Catholic countries like Spain and France wanted influence over England
-The threat of invasion was real, especially with support from the Pope
-Conflict in the Netherlands between Protestants & Spanish rulers created tensions
-She has to decided whether or not to become involved

Question 4

What were the key issues regarding taxation during Elizabeth I’s reign?

Answer 4

-England was short of money & Elizabeth needed to raise taxes
-Poverty was widespread, making tax increases unpopular

Question 5

Why was Mary, Queen of Scots, a threat to Elizabeth I?

Answer 5

-Mary was Elizabeth’s Catholic cousin & next in line to the throne
-Many Catholics saw Mary as an alternative Queen of England, threatening Elizabeth’s rule

Question 6

What challenges did Elizabeth I face in Ireland during her reign?

Answer 6

-Elizabeth considered herself Queen of Ireland.
-In 1559, she faced a major revolt- the first of several during her reign

Question 7

Why was marriage important for Elizabeth I?

Answer 7

-Seen as a duty to form alliances.
-Needed to produce an heir.
-Would secure succession & prevent Mary, Queen of Scots, from taking the throne.

Question 8

What were the arguments in favor of Elizabeth I getting married?

Answer 8

-Create alliances with foreign countries or powerful English families.
-Produce an heir to continue the Tudor line.
-Prevent Mary, Queen of Scots, from becoming queen.

Question 9

What were the arguments against Elizabeth I getting married?

Answer 9

-Loss of authority to a husband (foreign ruler or Englishman)
-Kept England independent.
-Risk of childbirth.
-Negative experiences with marriage in her family (father had married 6 times & ordered mother to be executed & her sister’s marriage to Philip of Spain had been unhappy & didn’t produce an heir)

Question 10

Why was Francis, Duke of Anjou, a controversial suitor for Elizabeth I?

Answer 10

-Brother and heir to the French throne
-Elizabeth was 46, likely past childbearing age
-Childless marriage risked England falling under French control
-He was Catholic, which many of Elizabeth’s advisors opposed

Question 11

What made King Philip II of Spain a potential, but unsuitable, match for Elizabeth I?

Answer 11

-Wealthiest & most powerful man in the world
-Previously married to
Elizabeth’s sister, Queen Mary I
-Their marriage had no heir and he rarely visited England
-He was Catholic

Question 12

Why did Elizabeth I not marry Robert Dudley, despite their close relationship?

Answer 12

-Childhood friend & long-time favourite of Elizabeth
-Key figure in the royal court and a privy councillor
-His wife’s suspicious death created a scandal that made marriage unlikely

Question 13

Why did Elizabeth I choose to remain unmarried?

Answer 13

-She declared herself “married to the kingdom of England”
-Allowed her to focus on ruling & maintaining independence
-Kept foreign powers from controlling England through marriage alliances

Question 14

What was Parliament in Elizabethan England?

Answer 14

-Consisted of lords, bishops & nobles in the House of Lords
-Commoners (MPs) sat in the House of Commons
-Discussed issues, advised the queen, passed laws, and set taxes
-The queen decided when to call Parliament & didn’t have to follow its advice.

Question 15

What was Elizabeth’s stance on marriage & how did she respond to Parliament’s involvement?

Answer 15

-Elizabeth saw marriage as her personal decision.
-In 1566, she banned Parliament from discussing her marriage after they began to openly debate it.

Question 16

Who was Peter Wentworth & what was his stance on freedom of speech in Parliament?

Answer 16

-MP arrested three times during Elizabeth’s reign.
-Advocated for MPs to speak freely on any matter.
-Arrests reflected Elizabeth’s disapproval & MPs’ loyalty dynamics.
-Some MPs supported Wentworth, while others opposed him.

Question 17

What role did religion play in Parliament during Elizabeth I’s reign?

Answer 17

-Major divisive factor in Elizabethan society.
-Most Parliament members were Protestant, supporting Elizabeth’s religious settlement.
-Elizabeth received support for laws targeting Catholics.
-Disagreement over Puritanism: Powerful Puritans sought to reform the Church of England.

Question 18

How did Parliament address the issues of crime & poverty in Elizabethan England?

Answer 18

-Poverty significant when it led to crime.
-Many MPs recognised punishment alone was ineffective.
-Attempts to introduce new poor laws were unsuccessful until 1601.
-The Poor Law was finally passed that year.

Question 19

What was Parliament’s view of Mary, Queen of Scots?

Answer 19

-Seen as a threat to national security due to her Catholicism.
-Majority called for her execution.
-Pressure from Parliament & the Privy Council influenced Elizabeth’s decision.

Question 20

How did Elizabeth use monopolies & what was the response from Parliament?

Answer 20

-Monopolies used to secure loyalty from powerful men (e.g., Earl of Essex’s sweet wine monopoly).
-Criticism from MP Robert Bell in 1571 as unfair.
-MPs called for changes; Elizabeth made superficial concessions in 1601.

Question 21

How did Elizabeth I assert her authority over Parliament?

Answer 21

-Clearly communicated her authority through words &actions.
-Arrested MPs who criticised her excessively.
-Had the power to dismiss Parliament & appoint new House of Lords members.
-Privy councillors managed Parliament & conveyed her wishes.

Question 22

What led to the Earl of Essex’s rebellion against Elizabeth I?

Answer 22

-Formerly a loyal subject and one of Elizabeth’s favorites.
-Became a privy councillor and received a sweet wine monopoly.
-Rivalry with Robert Cecil developed after military success against Spain.

Question 23

Robert Cecil

Answer 23

Son of powerful William Cecil & important & influential figure in court

Question 24

When did the Earl of Essex successfully attack the Spanish Port of Cadiz?

Answer 24

1596- pleased the queen

Question 25

What events led to the rebellion of the Earl of Essex in 1601?

Answer 25

-Argument with Elizabeth during a Privy Council meeting.
-Placed under house arrest after nearly drawing his sword.
-Failed military campaign in Ireland & defied Elizabeth’s orders by agreeing to a truce.
-Loss of favor & wealth prompted rebellion planning.

Question 26

What were the key actions & outcomes of Essex’s rebellion?

Answer 26

-Took four privy councillors hostage with 200 supporters in February 1601.
-Declared a traitor by Robert Cecil; many supporters fled or released hostages.
-Arrested along with remaining followers.

Question 27

What were the consequences for the Earl of Essex after his rebellion?

Answer 27

-Tried for treason & sentenced to death.
-Named other rebels during interrogation, including his sister Penelope.
-Executed privately on February 25, 1601; some supporters fined or executed
-Elizabeth made it clear she would not tolerate challenges to her authority