Elizabeth I Flashcards
How old was Elizabeth when she succeeded to the throne?
25 years of age
What was the reason for Elizabeth’s precarious existence during Mary’s reign?
Her adherence to the Protestant faith and her position as heir to the throne
What was the aim of the group of prominent gentry during Mary’s reign?
To mount a rebellion against Mary to establish a Protestant regime with Elizabeth as queen
What was the name of the rebellion that put Elizabeth in peril of her life in 1554?
Wyatt rebellion
What happened to Elizabeth after the failure of the Wyatt rebellion?
She was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower
How long did Elizabeth live with the expectation of being executed?
For two months
What was the outcome of the interrogation of Elizabeth?
No evidence could be found against her, leading to her release
Where was Elizabeth banished after her release?
To an Oxfordshire manor under house arrest
What profound effect did her imprisonment have on Elizabeth?
It shaped her personality and future conduct as queen
How did Elizabeth’s experience affect her decision-making as queen?
She became cautious and reluctant to take decisions
Whom did Elizabeth refuse to sanction the execution of, indicating her cautious nature?
Mary, Queen of Scots
What was the most important consequence of Elizabeth’s experience during her imprisonment?
Her unshakable belief that she had been spared by God
What did Elizabeth’s strong religious faith throughout her reign stem from?
Her belief that she had been spared by God
What was Elizabeth’s desire regarding the religious divisions in her kingdom?
To heal the religious divisions that threatened the stability of her kingdom
What policy did Elizabeth embark on to heal the division of the religious lives of her subjects?
The Elizabethan Religious Settlement
This settlement aimed to reconcile differing religious factions within England.
What was Elizabeth’s stance regarding radical religious doctrines?
She wished to avoid adopting more radical religious doctrine associated with continental Protestantism
Elizabeth aimed for a middle ground in religious practices.
What elements of Catholic worship did Elizabeth seek to retain?
Those elements that she and her Protestant subjects most objected to
This indicates her desire for a balanced approach to worship.
Who did Elizabeth turn to in order to secure the nation’s compliance with the Religious Settlement?
Parliament
This highlights the political aspect of implementing religious reforms.
What were the two key pieces of parliamentary legislation on which the Religious Settlement was founded?
- Act of Supremacy
- Act of Uniformity
These acts were crucial in establishing Elizabeth’s religious policies.
Who collaborated with Elizabeth in drawing up the Settlement of 1559?
Her ministers and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Matthew Parker
This partnership emphasizes the importance of leadership in the Settlement.
What were the intended outcomes of the Settlement of 1559?
- Clarify
- Regulate
- Stabilise religion in the kingdom
These outcomes were essential for maintaining order and unity in religious practice.
How long did the Elizabethan Religious Settlement hold firm before being challenged?
Ten years
This period reflects a significant duration of relative religious stability.
What event challenged the Elizabethan Religious Settlement?
A rebellion led by the northern earls
This rebellion was pivotal in testing the resilience of Elizabeth’s religious policies.
What was the purpose of the Act of Supremacy, 1559?
To restore the royal supremacy in the Church, which had been removed in Queen Mary’s reign
It restored the legal position of the Crown in relation to the Church, first established in the reign of Henry VIII.
What did the Act of Uniformity, 1559 aim to achieve?
To restore a single form of worship
It provided for the issue of a new Book of Common Prayer and required churches to use a communion table rather than an altar.
What was the purpose of the Royal Injunctions, 1559?
To make provision for the implementation of the Act of Uniformity at the level of the individual parish church
It required local officials to adopt a ‘Protestant’ view of forms of worship and practice in parish churches.
What was the significance of the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, 1563?
To define the faith of the Elizabethan Church
Article 17 emphasized the importance of predestination, linking the Church of England with the doctrines associated with John Calvin.
Fill in the blank: The Act of Supremacy, 1559 restored the _______ in the Church.
[royal supremacy]
True or False: The Act of Uniformity, 1559 required the use of an altar in churches.
False
It required churches to use a communion table instead.
What was a key element in central government during Elizabeth’s reign?
The Privy Council
The Privy Council played a crucial role in advising the monarch and making decisions.
What mistake did Elizabeth aim to avoid that Mary made regarding the Privy Council?
Having a large Council
A large Council led to difficulties in handling and often resulted in faction fights.
What did Elizabeth believe about the size of the Council?
‘A multitude doth make rather for discord and confusion than good counsel.’
This quote reflects her belief that fewer councillors would lead to better decision-making.
How did Elizabeth approach the selection of her councillors?
She chose her closest advisers wisely and sparingly
This strategy aimed to ensure effective governance.
What was a significant feature of Elizabeth’s Privy Council?
Continuity in retaining some of Mary’s councillors while adding her own
This helped maintain stability while introducing new perspectives.
Who were the two most prominent figures in Elizabeth’s government?
Sir William Cecil and Robert Dudley
Sir William Cecil became her principal secretary of state, and Robert Dudley was titled Earl of Leicester.
What title did Sir William Cecil hold from 1571?
Lord Burghley
This title marked his significance in Elizabeth’s administration.
Fill in the blank: Elizabeth made it clear that she did not intend to repeat Mary’s error in having a _______.
large Council
What period is described as witnessing political unity during Elizabeth’s reign?
The first few years of Elizabeth’s reign
This was the time when the regime was being established.
Who had unrivalled political prominence at court due to a close working relationship with Elizabeth?
Cecil
Cecil was Elizabeth’s chief minister responsible for most policy decisions.
What was Cecil’s role during Elizabeth’s reign?
Chief minister responsible for most policy decisions at home and abroad
His position can be compared to that of Cromwell.
How did Cecil’s rivals at court differ from those in the reigns of Henry VIII and Edward VI?
They were never outright enemies determined to cause his death
Rival factions were driven by self-interest and short-term aims.
Who was Cecil’s most serious rival?
The Earl of Leicester
Cecil and Leicester sometimes found themselves on the same side despite being rivals.
What was the relationship between Cecil and the Earl of Leicester?
They were rivals but sometimes found themselves on the same side
Neither wished to see the other executed, only ‘cowed’ or ‘retired’.
Fill in the blank: Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, was a firm favourite of _______.
Queen Elizabeth
Who was Robert Dudley the son of?
The former lord president, the Duke of Northumberland
The Duke was executed by Mary in 1553.
What significant appointments did Robert Dudley receive in 1562 and 1564?
Appointed to the Privy Council in 1562 and created the Earl of Leicester in 1564
What was the nature of Elizabeth’s emotional attachment to Leicester?
It gave him personal access to the queen, posing a serious threat to Cecil
True or False: There was talk of a marriage between Elizabeth and the Earl of Leicester.
True
However, the marriage never happened.
What was expected of Elizabeth as a woman in a male-dominated world?
To marry
It was thought that marriage would provide advice and security.
Who was Elizabeth’s sister, who conformed to the expectation of marriage?
Mary
Mary sought the advice and security from marriage.
What was at stake that pressured Elizabeth to marry?
The succession
Ministers believed she needed to secure an heir.
How did Elizabeth differ from societal expectations regarding marriage?
She refused to conform and insisted on her own prerogative
Elizabeth did not want to be dominated by a man.
What event in 1562 highlighted Elizabeth’s vulnerability?
Succession crisis due to her smallpox infection
Her death could have led to national conflict.
Who was Elizabeth’s natural successor?
Mary, Queen of Scots
Mary was a devout Catholic, which posed a threat to the Anglican Church.
What would have been the consequence of Mary, Queen of Scots’ succession?
It would imperil the Anglican Church and face opposition from Protestant nobility
Mary’s Catholicism was a significant concern.
What was a potential risk of Elizabeth marrying a foreign prince?
England would be dragged into European power struggles
This could complicate England’s political situation.
Why was marriage to a member of the English nobility problematic for Elizabeth?
It might lead to envy, rivalry, and dangerous factions
Rivalries could threaten her reign.
Who plotted against Elizabeth and Robert Dudley?
The Duke of Norfolk
His anger stemmed from Elizabeth’s infatuation with Dudley.
What was one of Elizabeth’s safest options regarding her succession?
To remain unmarried and later nominate a successor
This allowed her to maintain control over the throne.
When did Elizabeth finally name her heir?
When the Scottish and Spanish threats had disappeared
She named James VI, King of Scotland.
