Elizabeth's Early Problems Flashcards
How did Legitimacy pose a threat to Elizabeth’s reign?
Many people in England as well as foreign powers, saw Elizabeth as the daughter of an unlawful marriage, and therefore not ordained by God. It weakened her claim to the throne, and allowed others such as Mary QOS to claim they had more right to rule
How was Poverty a problem at the beginning of Elizabeth’s reign?
Elizabethan society was dominated by a small, land owning aristocracy of nobility and gentry. This caused great inequality, and the divide between the rich and the poor was growing. It was feared that the rising poverty levels were a serious threat to law and order - as poverty levels rose, crime rates also increased. The government also feared that the poor might rise up if the problem of poverty wasn’t tackled. It was believed that poor criminals and Vagabonds had encouraged the Revolt of the Northern Earls in 1569.
Describe the Papal Bull of excommunication Pope Pius V issued against Elizabeth in 1570
He issued the Papal Bull “Regnans in Excelsis”, declaring Elizabeth a heretic, and releasing her subjectsof any allegiance
When did Pope Pius issue his Papal Bull “Regnans in Excelsis”?
25th February 1570
When did Mary Stuart flee to England?
1568
What were some financial problems Elizabeth inherited at the start of her reign?
- Mary Tudor had left debts of £250,000
- Royal finances had been strained through war with France
- Most of the Crown’s Wealth had come from land ownership, so Elizabeth sold a large portion of the land
taken by Henry VII during his “Dissolution of the monasteries” - Rents were fixed to keep up with new expenditure due to rising prices
What was Henry VII ‘s “Dissolution of the Monasteries”?
A policy introduced in 1536 that closed down and confiscated the lands and all wealth of all monasteries in England and Wales
How did sexist views threaten Elizabeth’s reign?
Women were seen as physically and intellectually inferior, as well as emotionally hysterical, The violence and chaos of Mary Tudor’s reign reinforced the belief that a woman couldn’t rule successfully. Elizabeth was expected to act as a figurehead, while letting her male counsellors or a husband govern for her.
Even Cecil doubted her at times
How did France pose a threat to Elizabeth at the start of her reign?
- Elizabeth “inherited” a war against France due to Mary I’s foreign policy with the Spanish against the
French (She was married to the King of Spain) - French had a large army in Scotland
- 1560 “Treaty of Edinburgh” ended hostilities, replacing Auld alliance with an Anglo Scots one
- French religious wars begin in 1562, and Elizabeth supports the Huguenots in the Treaty of Hampton
Court, and sends troops to Le Havre, however ends up “betrayed by the French” - Treaty of Troyes (1564) Recognised Calais as completely lost to the French
- Treaty of Blois, Signed between Elizabeth and De Medici, relinquishing their relationship and establishing
an alliance against Spain
What was the “Treaty of Edinburgh” and when was it signed?
It was a treaty that ended the war between England and France, agreeing that all military forces would withdraw from Scotland, replacing the Auld alliance with an Anglo-Scots one.
Signed in 1560
What was the “Treaty of Hampton Court” and when was it signed?
A treaty between Elizabeth and Huguenot leader Louis de Bourbon, which summoned 3000 English troops to occupy Le Havre and Dieppe. Queen Elizabeth also promised to provide financial aid for the Huguenots
- Signed 22nd September 1562
Why was the Treaty of Hampton Court slightly problematic, and what were the results of this?
After peace was restored in France, Elizabeth refused to withdraw her troops, stating that she had taken Le Havre not for religious reasons but as compensation for her loss of Calais, which she believed was rightfully hers. The regent for France (Catherine De Medici) sent both Catholic and Huguenot troops against Le Havre, and surrendered on 28th July 1563. Feeling betrayed by the French, Elizabeth didn’t trust them again. Evident in her refusal to send support during the St Bartholomew’s day massacre
What was motivation for the Treaty of Hampton Court?
William Cecil was concerned with safeguarding the Protestant cause in Europe, fearing a Catholic alliance of France and Spain if the powerful Guise family gained an upper hand in the French Wars of Religion. Elizabeth I shared her advisor’s concern for England’s fragile Protestantism, but she was more concerned with the possibility of recovering Calais (lost by Mary I in 1558) which might have occurred had the Huguenots triumphed
What was the “Treaty of Troyes” and when was it signed?
A treaty that recognised Calais as officially lost and belonging to France, in return for a sum of money that was given to England (1564)
Describe Elizabeth’s early relationship with Spain
- They were initially allies due to Mary I foreign policy against the
French - Relations were strained as Elizabeth sent aid and embargoes to
Protestant Dutch rebels in the Spanish Netherlands through the Treaty of Nonsuch - Relations soured more due to Spanish involvement in the Ridolfi and
Throckmorton plots
