Elizabeth - key topic 2 Flashcards
When was the revolt of the northern earls?
1569-1570
Why did the Northern earls rebel?
- Wanted to make England catholic again. 2. Resented new men like William Cecil and they lost their influence over court. 3. They feared civil war because of Elizabeth not naming an heir or marrying.
Who were the rebels?(4)
- Thomas Percy. 2. Charles Neville. 3. Jane Neville. 4. Duke of Norfolk.
What was the plan for northern earls?
Mary would marry the Duke of Norfolk.
What happened in the revolt of the northern earls?
Robert Dudley discovered the plan. The rebels took over Durham Cathedral celebrating mass there and moving south.
Why did the revolt fail? (3)
- Support from Spain never arrived. 2. Many northern landowners remained loyal to Elizabeth. 3. Many landowners didn’t want the risk of losing wealth by backing a failed revolt.
Why was the revolt of northern earls significant? (3)
- Showed Mary couldn’t be trusted and remained in prison. 2. Pope excommunicated Elizabeth so catholic plots increased. 3. Loyalty of Catholics were doubted.
When was the Ridolfi plot?
1571
What happened in the Ridolfi plot? (4)
- Ridolfi travelled to the Netherlands and spoke to the Pope, Phillip II and Duke of Norfolk who declared himself a Catholic. 2. Phillip II instructed Duke of Alba to prepare 10,000 troops to send to England. 3. Sir William Cecil discovered the plot and proved Norfolk guilty of high treason. 4. June 1572 Norfolk’s death warrant is signed.
Why was the Ridolfi plot significant?
- Reinforced the threat from Spain. 2. Government punished Catholics more harshly e.g. fined for sheltering priests. 3. Confirms Mary, Queen of Scots remains a threat.
When was the Throckmorton plot?
1583
What happened in the Throckmorton plot?
- French Duke of Guise, cousin of Mary, plotted to invade England and overthrow Elizabeth, free Mary and make England Catholic again. 2. Phillip II offered to pay for revolt and Pope improved of the conspiracy.
Why did the Throckmorton plot fail?
Sir Francis Walsingham discovered the plot. Throckmorton was arrested and tortured. He confessed and was executed in 1584.
Why was the Throckmorton plot significant?
- Revealed extent of threat posed by foreign Catholic powers, English Catholics, and Mary, Queen of Scots. 2. Government treated English Catholics with greater suspicion - up to 11000 were imprisoned or kept under surveillance or house arrest. 3. Act of Parliament of 1585 made helping or sheltering Catholic priests punishable with death
When was the Babington plot?
1586
What happened in the Babington plot?
Babington wrote to Mary in 1586 about the plot. He wanted to murder Elziabeth and put Mary on the throne. Walsingham intercepted the messages, giving evidence of Mary’s involvement. Plotters sentenced to death.
When did Mary die?
Elizabeth signed Mary’s death warrant in 1587 and was beheaded afterwards.
Why was the Babington plot significant?
- England and Spain were practically at war. 2. Elizabeth’s government were keen to crush Catholicism. 3. 31 priests executed. 4. Plot led to execution of Mary.
Why was Sir Francis Walsingham important?
- His actions provided intelligence that defeated plots. 2. Intelligence unmasked the activities of Mary, Queen of Scots - put pressure on Elizabeth to execute her and led to Mary’s execution in early 1587. 3. Actions also deterred further plots against Elizabeth
What did Sir Walsingham use for correspondence?
Used ciphers. Hired specialists to help him.
What was Walsingham’s spy network like? (3)
- There were spies in every town and abroad in countries such as Spain and France. 2. Some were paid and trained by the government. 3. Some were paid informants and just got paid to deliver information that they heard in senior positions who knew of plots eg. Catholic priest, John Hart
What technique did the spies sometimes use?
Execution and torture.
Why was Mary, Queen of Scots executed? (3)
- Spies had uncovered her involvement in the plots. 2. Spanish threat increased alongside Mary. 3. Pope had excommunicated Elizabeth so many Catholics could support Mary instead of Elizabeth.
Why was Mary’s death significant? (4)
- Mary was an appointed monarch so Elizabeth may end up the same way. 2. Further angered Spain. 3. Increased uncertainty for civil war. 4. It removed an important threat for Elizabeth.
Why had English and Spanish relations worsened (due to religion)? (3)
- Phillip backed the Pope and saw Protestantism as a threat. 2. Many English Protestants saw Catholicism as a threat. 3. Phillip II became involved in the plots.
What was the aim of the Spanish policy in the Netherlands?
Duke of Alba aimed to restore Catholicism in Netherlands.
What happened with the Spanish policy in the Netherlands?
Spanish Catholics executed many Dutch Protestants following the council of troubles (aka blood) in 1568.
What was the English response to the Spanish policy in the Netherlands? (3)
They secretly helped Dutch Protestants by: 1. Allowing Dutch ships a safe passage in English ports. 2. Providing financial support. 3. English privateers like Sir Francis Drake were encouraged to attack Spanish ships in Latin America.
What was the Spanish Fury?
By 1576, the Spanish government in the Netherlands found the war was unaffordable. Lack of funds meant Spanish troops went unpaid so they looted Antwerp.
What was the Pacification of Ghent?
All 17 districts - of Catholics and Protestants - joined an alliance against Spain and created a document to kick out Spanish troops - 1576.
What happened by late 1584?
- Spanish control had been restored under the Duke of Parma. 2. Treaty of Joinville. 3. Dutch Catholics were ready to make peace with Spain, strengthening Phillip’s control.
What did the Treaty of Joinville do and when?
1584 - strengthened relationship between Catholic France and Spain.
Why were England and Spain so close to war by 1587? (3)
- Phillip blamed England for the Netherlands. 2. Phillip hated English privateers. 3. Elizabeth blamed Spain for many of the plots against her.
Why were Spain and England commercial (trade) rivals?
Each conquered different parts of the Americas e.g. Spain took Peru and Mexico.
In 1572, how much money did Sir Francis Drake capture from Spain?
£40,000
Between 1577 and 1580 how much money did Drake capture?
£400,000
Who were the Dutch rebels nicknamed?
Sea beggars
Why did the Spanish government run out of money to pay the Spanish troops in Netherlands?
Sir Francis Drake took so much gold and silver
When did Elizabeth knight Drake and what did it show?
1581 - Elizabeth’s actions showed her support for the financial losses Spain endured by Drake.
When and what was the treaty of Nonsuch?
1585 - England agreed to send 7400 soldiers led by Robert Dudley to help the Dutch rebels fight the Spanish.
When had Spain been gradually building up its Armada?
Since January 1986
What was the Singeing the King of Spain’s beard?
Drake attacked 30 ships over 3 days in 1587 which delayed the Armada by a year so England could prepare more.
What was the campaign in the Netherlands from 1585 to 1588? (3)
Not a great success. 1. Elizabeth hoped to negotiate with Phillip II. 2. Some of Robert Dudley’s officers joined the dark side. 3. Dudley and Elizabeth had different plans for the Netherlands. Dudley wanted total freedom from Spain whereas Elizabeth wanted overall control in Spanish hands with some freedoms.
What were some results from the campaign?
- Dudley couldn’t defeat Spain - he only disrupted them. 2. Dudley managed to stop Spain capturing the English port Ostend which meant the Armada couldn’t stop there.
Why did Phillip II launch the Armada? (4)
- Religious reasons - Pope said those would be forgiven if they took part. 2. Political reasons - Treaty of Nonsuch meant English soldiers were already at war with Spain. Phillip could expand his empire. 3. Acts of provocation including Drake and Elziabeth supporting Netherlands. 4. Changing circumstances - control over Portugal and Netherlands.
What was the plan for the Armada? (3)
- Phillip ordered 130 ships and 2400 guns to sail along English Channel to Netherlands. 2. They would join forces and have 27000 troops to go to Kent. 3. Spain would attack London and end Elizabeth and establish a Catholic government.
What actually happened in the Armada? (4)
- Spotted in the English Channel. 2. Batlle of Plymouth where 2 Spanish ships are captured. 3. Battle of the Isle of Wight where Spain was outgunned. 4. Battle of Gravelines where Spain panics and never meets with Duke of Palma in Netherlands.
What were 6 reasons why the Armada failed?
- Communication problems. 2. English ships were better armed and equipped. 3. Spanish ships lacked resources like food. 4. The Spanish panicked. 5. English tactics were superior. 6. The weather.
How was communication a problem for the Armada? (2)
- No communication between Spain and Netherlands (Duke of Palma). 2. No deep water ports as Dudley had already taken Ostend.
How was lacking resources a problem for the Armada?
They were at sea for 10 weeks and it rotted which ruined morale.
How were the English tactics a problem for the Armada? (3)
- Got close enough to fire but far enough away from Spanish soldiers boarding. 2. Drake’s use of fireships in Battle of Gravelines caused panic amongst the Spanish. 3. Lighting of sticks to warn London was a successful move.
How were the English’s better equipped ships a problem for the Armada?
Cannons could have been reloaded and fired more quickly which destroyed more ships.
How were the Spanish panicking a problem for the Armada?
After the Battle of Gravelines, many Spanish ships cut their anchors and they drifted into the north sea.
How was the weather a problem for the Armada?
Large winds off the coast of Ireland which destroyed ships.
