Elizabeth I Flashcards
Who were Elizabeth’s parents?
Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
Who were the 3 monarchs before her?
Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I, the Elizabeth I.
Who was Elizabeth’s heir in 1558?
Although she didn’t name one, the next in line was Mary Queen of Scots until she was beheaded, then it was James VI (Stuart) who she named as heir on her deathbed.
How good a friend was Scotland in 1558?
Scotland is a Protestant country. Its rulers, the Stuart family, have always been very friendly with France. Mary, Queen of Scots, is Catholic and married to a French prince and claims that she is the rightful Queen of England (she is a great-granddaughter of Henry VII). Scotland and England have been enemies for centuries. They have fought many wars.
How good a friend was Ireland in 1558?
English kings have always claimed to rule Ireland. In fact, England controls only a small area around Dublin. Most Irish people are Roman Catholics. An enemy could easily use Ireland as a base for attacking England.
How good a friend were the Netherlands/the Low Countries in 1558?
The Low Countries consist of modern day Belgium and the Netherlands. They are ruled by Spain but Protestant ideas are spreading. This is an important country for English trade. Many English merchants sell their goods here, especially cloth.
How good a friend was France in 1558?
England and Spain are at war with France. France is friendly with Scotland. England and France have been enemies for centuries. They have fought many wars. France is a Roman Catholic country but Protestant ideas are spreading in some areas.
How good a friend was Spain in 1558?
England and Spain have been friendly for most of the sixteenth century. Mary Tudor, Elizabeth’s sister was married to King Philip II of Spain. Now he hopes to marry Elizabeth. Spain are a useful ally against France.
True or false: Catholics believed that Elizabeth was illegitimate
True
True or false: Elizabeth inherited a Protestant England
False - Catholic.
True or false: Mary Queen of Scots was Elizabeth’s sister
False - cousin.
True or false: France was a traditional enemy of England
True
True or false: The Netherland could be a potential ally for England at the beginning of her reign
True
True or false: In 1558 Jame VI of Scotland was the heir to Elizabeth’s throne
False - Mary Queen of Scots until her execution in 1587
True or false: Robert Dudley was the head of Elizabeth’s spy network
False - Walsingham
True or false: Spain was an enemy at the beginning of Elizabeth’s reign
False - had been allied together in war against France and Mary was married to Philip.
How was Elizabethan society structured?
Social hierarchy of towns and cities:
Merchants (often owned a lot of property). - About 30,000 families
Professionals (lawyers, clergy, doctors, teachers).
Business owners (usually highly skilled craftsmen, employed others).
Skilled craftsmen (people who had learned a skill or trade) - about 500,000 families.
Unskilled workers and the unemployed - about 500,000 families
Social hierarchy of countryside:
Nobility - About 50 families
Gentry - About 10,000 families
Yeomen - About 100,000 families
Tenant farmers - About 100,000 families
Landless or labouring poor - about 500,000 families
Vagrants, homeless.
Who had the most power in society?
The monarch
What did power and influence depend on in society?
Land
Who were the most dangerous group for the monarch?
Nobility - most powerful.
Who ran local government for the monarch?
Gentry
What was the difference between yeomen and labourers?
Yeomen owned land
What sort of things did craftsmen do?
Skilled jobs - Silversmiths, carpenters, tailors etc
What percentage of people live in the countryside?
90%
Describe two features of Elizabeth’s government (4 marks)
Describe one feature and then give some detail about the feature. E.g.
One feature of Elizabeth’s government was her Privy Council. This was a council chosen by her of 19 advisors. They were made up of the most important and powerful men in England, usually nobles and she relied on them for most advice and decision making.
You need to do this twice. - 5 minutes!
A feature of Elizabeth’s government was parliament. It was made up of the house of lords and the house of commons. They could only be called or dismissed by the monarch. Their role was to grant taxation, pass laws and offer advice.
A feature of Elizabeth’s government was her Secretary of State. This was the most important person in her Privy Council. He was her most trustworthy advisor who influenced her on her decisions.
What was the average life expectancy in Elizabethan times?
28-41
Society, government, law and order were based on what?
Inequality
How much social mobility was there?
Very little, and everyone had a clear idea of where they belonged
How strong was Elizabeth’s position in 1558-60?
Character: Very intelligent, understood politics well + spoke several languages e.g. Latin, French etc.
Confident + charismatic - gave great speeches + won people over.
Her Privy Council and Parliament were often frustrated with her indecision and her refusal to marry.
Gender: People thought women were emotionally, mentally and physically unfit to rule
Many thought she should marry to be under ‘male supervision’ and provide an heir.
She refused many proposals, preferring to not give up her control. This did raise the issue of succession though as she would have no children
Worry that her reign would go badly, as her sister Mary I’s had; lost a war with France, bad harvests, unpopular marriage + burning 300 Protestants.
Legitimacy: To be legitimate, your parents had to be married when you were born.
Catholics thought Elizabeth was illegitimate as they didn’t recognise the divorce of Henry and Catherine and Aragon, and Elizabeth was born when Catherine was still alive.
In 1536, Henry himself said she was illegitimate, though he later overturned this.
She was the only remaining child of Henry VIII - closely related to all previous monarchs for the past 50 years.
Financial Issues: The English government didn’t have a lot of money in 1558 because of previous costly wars - lots of Crown lands had to be sold to repay debts.
In 1558, the Crown was £300,000 in debt (total annual income for Crown was £286,667).
Raising taxes was a possibility, but would put Elizabeth into Parliament’s mercy, which she didn’t want either.
The French and Scottish threat: France was England’s traditional enemy, much wealthier than England. Usually allied with Scotland (the Auld Alliance).
The Scottish Queen = Mary, Elizabeth’s heir and cousin who was married to the King of France (England sandwiched). He died in 1560, so this lessened the threat somewhat.
Mary declared herself the legitimate Catholic Queen of England.
There were French troops helping to protect the Scottish-English border.
England had held Calais (northern France) since 1347. It was a useful military and trading base. It was lost in the war with France in the 1550s, and confirmed by Treaty in 1559. Humiliating for the English.
There was a possibility that Catholic France and Spain could unite against Protestant England, though in 1558, England and Spain were on friendly terms.
Describe challenges abroad 1558
Scotland
An independent country and old enemy of England.
Mary of Guise was married James V of Scotland.
When James V died in 1542 the crown past to his only legitimate child, Mary (who was 6 days old at the time!). Therefore her mother, Mary of Guise ruled Scotland as Queen regent on behalf of her daughter until she died in 1560.
Calais
A place in France that was English controlled until Mary I lost it under the Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis
France
An old enemy of England.
Mary Queen of Scots was brought up in France and married the French king Francis I in 1558. He died in 1560 and she returned to Scotland.
Who is Francis Walsingham?
Part of the Privy council. In charge of Elizabeth’s spy network.
Who is William Cecil?
Member of the privy council. Chief minister.
Who is Francis Drake?
Explorer and sailor. 1st person to circumnavigate the world. helped to defeat the Spanish during the Spanish Armada.
Who is Henry VIII?
Elizabeth’s father, was the king. Caused religious divisions.
Who is Anne Boleyn?
Elizabeth’s mother.
Who is Robert Dudley?
Earl of Leicester. leading Noble and member of the privy council. He and Elizabeth were rumoured to be lovers, they were close friends. Elizabeth called his her ‘Sweet Robin’.
Who is Mary I?
Elizabeth’s sister.
Who is Edward VI?
Elizabeth’s brother.
Who is John Hawkins?
An explorer linked to the beginning of the Slave Trade.
Who is Philip of Spain?
Enemy, potential husband. King of Spain.
Who is Mary Queen of Scots?
The original heir to the throne, queen of Scotland and Elizabeth’s cousin.
Who is Walter Raleigh?
Famous explorer and courtier. Discovered parts of America. named Virginia after Elizabeth.
Who is Thomas Howard?
Duke of Norfolk. A Catholic involved in a plot with an Italian banker. Tried to replace Elizabeth with Mary Queen of Scots. executed.
Who is Pope Pius IV?
Enemy of Elizabeth.
Who is Anthony Babington?
Involved in Catholic plots.
Who is Robert di Ridolfi?
Involved in Catholic plots.
Who is Francis Throckmorton?
Involved in Catholic plots. Catholic who plotted to overthrow the queen. Was executed.