Elizabeth I

Question 1

What was Elizabeth’s middle way?

Answer 1

• Churches could be decorated and some ceremonies allowed
• People who refused to attend Protestant church once a week oiled be fined but not harmed
• the Queen would be the ‘Supreme Governor’ of the Church of England rather than the ‘Head of the Church’
• The Queen would be supported by Bishops

Question 2

Problems with the ‘middle way’

Answer 2

• Extremists on both sides were unhappy
• Catholic Pope called Elizabeth a ‘pretend’ queen and excommunicated her
• Elizabeth could or trust catholics as they old be plotting her death.

Question 3

How and why did Elizabeth use portraits as propaganda

Answer 3

Propaganda = information, ideas, opinions or images, often giving one side of an argument,used to influence people’s opinions.
Why—Elizabeth faced threats throughout her reign so she needed to win the loyalty of her people
Portrait messages:
- Crown, orb and sceptre symbols of power and authority
- Jewels and gold cloth = wealthy
- Eyes and ears = Elizabeth can see and hear what is happening in her country
- Serpent = Elizabeth is a wise ruler
- Angel’s wings = Elizabeth was a messenger from God and it was her ‘divine right’ to be queen
- globes and books to show that she was well educated

Question 4

Mary queen of Scots

Answer 4

• Eldest daughter of Henry VII
• Queen of Scotland when she was 6 days old
• Married French king (Francis)
• By 17 she was both queen of Scotland and France
• Husband died in 1560
• Mary did not interfere wit religion so Scots accepted her rule
• She married English nobleman Lord Darnley in 1565
• Marriage drifted apart and in 1567 Darnley died mysteriously
• Mary then married Lord Bothwell (who may have plotted the death of Darnley) which made Protestant lords suspicious so rebellion = abdicated = imprisoned = in 1568 she escaped to England

Question 5

Why was Mary Queen of Scots a problem for Elizabeth?

Answer 5

• Mary had claim to the throne so she might plot against Elizabeth
• Elizabeth kept her under lock and key in England, out of harm’s way—so Mary could not plot against Elizabeth, and she did not kill Mary so Elizabeth would still keep popularity in England
• Mary was then caught plotting with servants to kill the queen and Mary was executed

Question 6

Why did the Spanish launch the armada against England and why did it fail?

Answer 6

Reason: Mary was killed by Elizabeth and Philip did not approve as Mary was Catholic. (Philip II was Catholic) Sailors had stolen gold from Spanish ships for a long time
Why failed: English ships had more mobility and their ideal battle position was a distance form the enemy. Spanish ships were very large and lacked mobility and their ideal battle position was next to the enemy so they could jump onto the enemy ships and fight. Spanish Armada was commanded by Duke of Medina Sidonia who had no experience running a ship. English had better weapons. Spanish ships had short range guns which were not accurate