elizabeth part 1 Flashcards
when did Elizabeth reign?
1558-1603
who was Elizabeth’s mother?
Anne Boleyn
how old was Elizabeth when she became queen?
25
are the royal court and the government the same thing?
no
what was the royal court?
it was made up by all the officials, servants and advisors that surrounded Elizabeth. it was the centre of power but also the source of the latest fashion trends. it included the privy council but not the justices of peace and parliament
what was the government?
it was made up of the queen and her closest advisors, usually privy councillors but always men whom she trusted
what were lord lieutenants?
they were people appointed by the queen to run a particular area of the country, and raise a militia to fight for the queen if needed. many also served on the privy council
what was the patronage?
land, titles, or power given to an individual’s support, eg Elizabeth would award monopolies in exchange for obedience and support
what were justices of the peace?
they were people responsible for maintaining order and enforcing the law. there were several in each county
what was the parliament?
made up of the house of lords and house of commons, they had influence over tax and responsible for passing laws. the queen could choose when to call on the parliament and could ignore their advice
what were the privy council?
they were responsible for the day-to-day running of the country; the queen could appoint them, but mostly had to choose the most powerful land owners to maintain order. there were 19 privy councillors and they met every day
who led the privy council?
the secretary of state
who were two powerful figures who served as secretary of state?
William Cecil and Francis Walsingham
what happened in 1562 to Elizabeth?
she almost dies of small
pox, so senior figures were keen on her finding a husband so there was someone to succeed her
why was succession a problem for Elizabeth?
she had no husband and no children, so she had no heir. this meant it was unclear who would succeed her, and in the past this situation had led to violent struggles for power
who had the support of the pope?
catholic countries like France and Spain. they wanted influence over England and there was a very high threat of invasion
in which country (other than England) was there tension between protestants and catholics?
the Netherlands. the protestant population was unhappy with the catholic Spanish rule, and Elizabeth had to decide whether or not to get involved
who was next in line to the throne and why was it a threat to Elizabeth?
Mary, Queen of Scots - Elizabeth’s Catholic cousin. many Catholics saw her as an alternative Queen of England
what had the Tudor’s change in official religion (multiple times) caused?
instability and conflict
why did some Catholics claim that Elizabeth had no right to the throne?
because they didn’t think Henry’s marriage to Anne Boleyn (her mother) was legitimate
what was puritism?
an extreme form of protestantism
why were puritans seen as a threat?
there were a number of puritans who had hoped to take control of Elizabeth’s church and make it more extreme, which threatened the religious settlement
why did Elizabeth need to raise the taxes?
the country was short of money
why was raising taxes unpopular?
poverty was widespread and many were not able to pay
what happened in 1559?
a major revolt in Ireland
what were the pros of marriage for Elizabeth?
it would create an alliance with a foreign country/guarantee the loyalty of a powerful English family
what were the cons of marriage for Elizabeth?
Elizabeth would lose authority and independence
giving birth was risky
the marriages she had seen growing up were bad (her father’s, her mother’s, her sister’s)
Elizabeth was able to use the possibility of marriage to her advantage when dealing with foreign leaders
who were three potential suitors?
Francis, duke of Anjou and Alencon
King Philip II of Spain
Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester
who was Francis of Anjou?
the brother of the French King and Heir to the throne
how old was Elizabeth when a marriage to Francis of Anjou was proposed, and why was this a problem?
she was 46, so she couldn’t have children, and a childless marriage could result in England falling under French control
what religion was Francis of Anjou?
Catholic
were important figures in Elizabeth’s court in support of a marriage to Francis of Anjou?
no
who was King Philip of Spain?
the king of Spain and one of the most wealthy and powerful men in the world
who had King Philip been married to previously?
Elizabeth’s sister, Mary
what religion was King Philip?
catholic
who was Robert Dudley?
A childhood friend of Elizabeth and a favourite of hers throughout her reign. he was a key figure in the royal court and a privy councillor
why was Elizabeth not able to marry Robert Dudley?
his wife had died (suspiciously) and the scandal around her death meant it was impossible for Elizabeth to marry him
who made up the parliament?
consisted of lords, bishops, and other nobles who sat in the house of lords, and ‘commoners’ (MPs) who sat in the house of commons