Elizabeth: section 1 Flashcards
Briefly describe 5 key features of Elizabeth’s government
The Court- made up of noblemen who acted as the monarchs advisers and friends
Justices of the Peace- large landowners appointed by government who kept local law and order and heard court cases.
Lord Lieutenants- noblemen, appointed by the government, who governed English counties and raised the local militia. (emergency civilian armies)
Privy Council- members of nobility who helped govern the country: monitored parliament, justices of the peace and oversaw law and order.
Parliament- advised queen Elizabeth’s government, made up of the House of Commons ( elected though few could vote) and the House of Lords (made up of noblemen and bishops). Parliament approved taxes and passed laws.
When did Elizabeth become queen?
1558
Name the 6 tiers of social hierarchy in the countryside. (give a brief description also)
1) Nobility- Major landowners (dukes and earls)
2) Gentry- (owned smaller estates)
3) Yeoman farmer- (owned small amounts of land)
4) Tenant farmers- (Rented land from yeoman farmers and gentry)
5) Landless and labouring poor- (Did not own land, had to labour to provide)
6) Homeless and vagrants- (moved from place to place in search of work)
What percentage of the population lived in the countryside in Elizabethan England?
90% 🤯
What was the 5 tiers of social hierarchy in towns? (give a brief description also)
1) Merchants- (wealthy traders)
2) Professionals- (lawyers, doctors, clergymen)
3) Business owners- (highly skilled craftsmen like carpenters or tailors)
4) Craftsmen- (skilled employees, like apprentices)
5) Unskilled labourers and the unemployed- (people without regular work, could not provide for themselves)
What percentage of people in Elizabethan England lived in towns?
10% 😲
What were some of Elizabeth’s problems regarding marriage? (give 3 points)
If she marries a protestant this would anger Catholics
If she marries a catholic this would upset protestants
Marriage could involve England in expensive wars, and the crown was already 300K in debt 🤑
What were some of the issues facing Elizabeth when she became Queen?
(give 7 points)
She was young and inexperienced (was only 21)
Her government was in need of money
Her legitimacy was in doubt (her mother was Anne Boleyn)
Catholics refused to acknowledge her right to rule
Elizabeth was protestant
Elizabeth was unmarried- Christian traditions suggest women should follow a mans authority.
She was in need of the support of parliament to pass laws.
Explain two advantages Elizabeth had when she became queen (character wise)
She portrayed herself as a strong, legitimate and popular monarch- a ‘virgin queen’ married only to England.
She was protestant and with the growing population of protestants in the country, she could claim her divine right with a growing conviction.
Name some of the reasons why Elizabeth faced so many financial issues (give three points)
- The crown was 300K in debt (big bucks back in the day)
- Mary Tudor had sold the crown lands to pay for the wars with France, so the crowns income from rents was failing.
-Since the 1540s, the crown has devalued the coinage, to make more money for the wars with France. This caused some serious inflation as currency fell.
What did Elizabeth do to solve the financial issues? (give two points)
Cut down on her own household expenses and did not raise taxes 🫅
Sold the crown lands (whatever that means)
Explain the challenges Elizabeth faces abroad in 1558 (give four points)
The French threat- France was becoming wealthy and had a larger population
War was expensive business and the crown was in debt
France ended its war with Spain meaning they had too much time on their hands
Frances alliance with Scotland- France kept soldiers in Scotland which could easily ready up.
How did Elizabeth deal with challenges abroad? (give 3 points)
Sought to avoid war with France by signing the Peace of Troyes (1564) which recognised French claim to Calais
Placing Mary Queen of Scots in custody (1568)
By eliminating Mary and making peace with France: there was only Spain as a threat.
Why was religion so important in Elizabethan England? (give three points)
Religious teachings guided peoples morals
People believed that going to church reduced time in purgatory
Religious festivals were seen as essential to a good harvest
Outline 2 key ways the beliefs of Catholics, Puritans and Protestants differ.
Church
- Catholics wanted popes, cardinals and bishops
-Protestants no Pope but bishops are fine
-Puritans wanted nobody
Style of service
-Catholics wanted highly decorated churches, with stained windows and candles
-Protestants wanted a more simple style
-Puritans said all decorations are distracting
-Catholics wanted clergy to wear coloured vestments.
