Elizabeth I

Question 1

Elizabeth

Answer 1

Queen of England who reigned from 1558 to 1603.

Question 2

Anne Boleyn

Answer 2

Mother of Elizabeth, executed for treason.

Question 3

Siblings

Answer 3

Elizabeth had a younger brother Edward and an older sister Mary, both of whom ruled before her.

Question 4

Age of Ascension

Answer 4

Elizabeth became Queen at the age of 25.

Question 5

Patronages

Answer 5

Elizabeth established her authority through the granting of patronages.

Question 6

Privy Council

Answer 6

The most powerful group in Elizabethan society, led by the secretary of state.

Question 7

Parliament

Answer 7

Had limited power but could pass laws and impose taxes.

Question 8

Royal Court

Answer 8

The center of power and fashion trends during Elizabethan times.

Question 9

The Court

Answer 9

The Court was made up of the officials, servants and advisors who served Elizabeth.
It was the centre of power, fashion and architectural trends
The Privy Council were included, however Parliament was not
The Government was made up of the Queen and her closest advisors (men she trusted), such as the Privy Council

Question 10

Parliament

Answer 10

Consisted of Lords, Bishops and other nobles
Its role was to discuss issues and advise the Queen
Responsible for setting laws and taxes
The Queen could call it when she wanted and did not have to listen to their advise
She controlled them by bullying them and inspirational speeches

Question 11

Patronage

Answer 11

Elizabeth would give jobs to certain men that gave them wealth and prestige. This caused intense rivalries, and meant that everyone was loyal to Elizabeth

Question 12

Monopolies

Answer 12

Elizabeth gave nobles the sole right to produce and sell goods. This improved their status and wealth and was a reward to keep people loyal to her.

Question 13

Progresses

Answer 13

Elizabeth would travel with her court in the summer to homes of nobility and were part of improving public relations. They allowed her to be seen by her subjects, and to give status to the nobles she stayed with.

Question 14

The Privy Council

Answer 14

Responsible for running the country in all political areas
The Queen was forced to appoint the wealthiest landowners to avoid rebellion
Elizabeth could not go against the Privy Council if the decision was unanimous, however it hardly ever was as the group were rivals
Elizabeth picked rivals so that they wouldn’t gang up against her and would compete against each other to make each other better
It was led by the Secretary of State

Question 15

Name 4 privy Councellors

Answer 15

Sir William Cecil (Secretary of State)
Sir Francis Walsingham (Spy Master)
Robert Dudley (Possible Suitor)
Sir Christopher Hatton (Lord Chancellor)

Question 16

Difficulties of a female ruler

Answer 16

Religion – During the Tudor period, the religion had changed many times. Many Catholics did not trust Elizabeth and claimed she was illegitimate. Puritanism (extreme Protestantism) was also seen as a threat. During Bloody Mary’s rule she burnt many Protestants
Tax – the country was short of money due to Henry VIII’s wars and there was widespread poverty
Foreign Policy – Catholic countries like Spain and France wanted influence over England and had the support of the Pope
Ireland – Elizabeth considered herself Queen of Ireland which caused several rebellions during her reign
Succession – Elizabeth was the last living child of Henry VIII, and she had no children. When she died it was unclear who would succeed her. Many people wanted her to marry as soon as possible
Mary Queen of Scots – Next in line for the throne was Elizabeth’s Catholic cousin. Many Catholics saw her as an alternative which made her a threat to Elizabeth

Question 17

Pros of marriage and succession

Answer 17

Succession – Elizabeth was the last living child of Henry VIII, and she had no children. When she died it was unclear who would succeed her. Many people wanted her to marry as soon as possible
Mary Queen of Scots – Next in line for the throne was Elizabeth’s Catholic cousin. Many Catholics saw her as an alternative which made her a threat to Elizabeth

Question 18

Cons of marriage and succession

Answer 18

Elizabeth would lose her power to her husband
Giving birth was very risky
Her experience of marriage had been bad – her father’s marriages had ended badly
Elizabeth could use the possibility of marriage to her advantage when dealing with leaders

Question 19

3 possible suitors

Answer 19

Francis, Duke of Anjou
French King’s brother and heir to the throne
Elizabeth was too old to have a child so England would fall under French control
He was Catholic and many important figures in Elizabeth’s court were against the marriage

King Phillip of Spain
Very wealthy and powerful
Had been married to Mary I but that had not produced an heir
Their marriage had caused a rebellion
He was Catholic

Robert Dudley
A childhood friend of the Queen and a favourite of hers
There were rumours of a relationship
A key figure in Royal Society and a member of the Pricy Council
When his wife died, he was free to marry the Queen, but her death was suspicious, and his possible involvement meant he couldn’t marry her

Question 20

Elizabeth’s reign

Answer 20

Elizabeth’s authority weakened over the years and by the 1590s her government was in crisis
The country had been damaged by war, poverty, plague and repeated harvest failures
One by one her trusted advisors died
She had relied on these men and their deaths bought her great anger, depression and grief. These decreased her popularity and people believed she had reigned for too long
In 1601 it was obvious Elizabeth was losing her grip when she faced a rebellion by one of her favourites

Question 21

Essex Rebellion

Answer 21

The Earl of Essex was a loyal subject during Elizabeth’s reign.
- Became a favorite of the Queen and a Privy Councillor in 1595.
- Developed a rivalry with Robert Cecil.
- Fell from favor after an argument with the Queen.
- Argument led to the Earl turning his back on the Queen, resulting in her hitting him.
- Almost drew his sword but was stopped just in time.
- Placed under house arrest afterward.
- Sent by the Queen to Ireland to manage a rebellion.
- Failed to suppress the rebellion; made a truce against orders.
- Marches into the Queen’s chambers and catches her undressed.
- Elizabeth refused to renew his sweet wine monopoly.
- Resulted in loss of wealth, power, and status.
- In anger and feeling of having nothing to lose, begins gathering supporters to overthrow the Queen.
- February 1601: Takes four Privy Councillors hostage and marches them to his London House with 200 supporters.
- Underestimated the Queen and her Government; overestimated his own strength.
- Government responded swiftly, causing most of his supporters to abandon him.
- Essex surrendered and was accused of treason.
- Executed in the Tower of London on 25th February.
- Quick fall from grace highlighted Elizabeth’s fading power.

Question 22

Great Chain Of Being

Answer 22

God
Royals (appointed by God)
Nobility
Gentry
Peasantry
Animals and plants

Question 23

Why was the Theatre so popular

Answer 23

It was affordable and exciting
It was a chance for people to be social and show off their wealth
It was entertaining
Many of the plays held political meanings and were used by the government as propaganda

Question 24

Opposition to the theatre

Answer 24

Some saw it as sinful
Puritans thought it distracted people from prayer
Theatres were dangerous - many people committed crime and became drunk
Large gatherings may spread disease

Question 25

Accomplishments of the Golden Age

Answer 25

Peace, power and pride
Art
Exploration
Theatre
Building and architectural changes
Literature
Education
Science and technology

Question 26

Reasons for the poor

Question 27

Reasons for the poor