Elizabeth section 2 Flashcards
When was the revolt of the Northern Earls? 🤴
from 1569-70
Why did the Earls rebel? (give three points)
The Earls and their followers wanted to make England Catholic again. Especially hated the appointment of James Pilkington, a protestant, as bishop in 1561.
The Earls had lost much of their influence in court under Elizabeth’s reign.
Elizabeth’s refusal to marry or name an heir created uncertainty. The earls fired a civil war.
Why did the revolt fail? (give three points)
Support from Spain never arrived
Many northern landowners especially those in Lancashire and Chesire remained loyal to Elizabeth
Many landowners did not want to risk losing the wealth gained from the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VII by backing a failed revolt
What was the significance of the Revolts? (give 4 points)
It showed Mary Queen of Scots could not be trusted- and she remained in prison
The pope excommunicated Elizabeth and called on loyal Catholics to depose her. Increase catholic plots against her.
The loyalty of English Catholics were now in doubt forcing the government to take harsher steps against them
Elizabeth’s control over the north of England increased.
When was the Ridolfi plot?
1571
What was the plot aim and who was the ringleader?
Roberto Ridolfi was an Italian banker who lived in England and was a spy for the pope
Ridolfi plotted to murder Elizabeth and put Mary on the throne, who would then, marry the Duke of Norfolk.
What was Phillip the 2s rule in the Ridolfi plot?
Phillip II instructed the Duke of Alba to send 10,000 troops across the channel to back the revolt.
William Cecil busted them and accused Northfolk and Mary of high treason.
Significance of the Ridolfi plot (give four points)
Reinforced threat from Spain and Phillip would support any plot against Elizabeth
Threat of Spain meant that relations with France had to improve
The government began to monitor Catholics more closely and treat them more severely. A law was passed in 1581 that converting people to catholicism would be treason
It confirmed English Catholics and Mary remained a threat to Elizabeth.
When was the Throckmorton plot?
1583
Why was the Throckmorton plot significant? (give three points)
Reveal the threat posed by modern foreign powers
The government treated Catholics with greater suspicion, and many fled England with 11,000 more imprisoned, kept under surveillance or on house arrest.
Showed political threats from Spain and France.
What was the aim of the Throckmorton plot?
French Duke of Guise, cousin of Mary, plotted to invade England, free Mary and make England Catholic again.
Why did the Throckmorton plot fail? (3)
Sir Francis Walsingham, discovered the plot in May 1583
In November 1583, Walsingham spies found papers at Throckmorton’s house which revealed his role in the conspiracy.
Throckmorton was arrested and tortured and executed in 1584.
When was the Babington plot?
1586
Significance of the Babington plot? (give four points)
Elizabeth’s situation was more precarious compared to other plots
By 1585 England and Spain were virtually at war
Persecutions of Catholics intensified- 31 priests executed
The plot led to the execution of Mary QOS- Elizabeth signed the death warrant in 1587.
What was found at the Babington plot? (3)
Antony Babington wrote to Mary about the Throckmorton plot, and Francis Walsingham intercepted and read them. Letters showed Mary’s support and involvement in the plot.
Babington and the plotters hung drawn and quartered.
Why was Sir Francis Walsingham so important? (3)
Walsingham’s actions provided intelligence that defeated plots, such as the Throckmorton and Babington plots.
His intelligence unmasked the activities of Mary Queen of Scots, which put pressure on her to execute her in early 1587
Hid actions also deterred further plots against Elizabeth.
Describe 4 key features of Walsingham’s spy network
Walsingham had a network of spies and informants in every town
Some of Walsingham’s agents were paid and trained by the government
Others were paid informants. These were often people who knew or were likely to know potential plotters against the Queen. Catholic priests like John Hart who turned informant for a royal pardon.
Walsignham also used spies abroad. In places like France, Germany, Spain, Italy and North Africa.
Describe Walsinghams methods (4)
Ciphers (special codes)
Some priests were tortured to deter others and force them to give up information.
The threat of execution and torture was often more effective, as it would provide
Walsignham with informants he could use against any plotters
Walsingham only used torture and execution in the most serious cases to ensure ordinary people did not sympathise with the plotters.
Why was the execution of Mary Queen of Scotts significant? (4)
Mary was an anointed monarch executing her set a dangerous precedent. Elizabeth and her heirs could also meet the same fate if they were not careful.
Execution gave Phillip II more reason to attack England, as Mary left her claim to the throne to Phillip on her death
The persecution made the succession even more uncertain, increasing the chance of Civil war upon Elizabeth’s death.
The execution removed the threat to Elizabeth as Mary had been the focus of many Catholic plots to depose Elizabeth.
Why was Mary Queen of Scots executed? (4)
Mary had been involved in a series of plots against Elizabeth
Walsingham spies unearthed evidence that Mary was involved with the plotters
The Spanish threat was very real by 1587, with rumours of invasion
Mary remained a rallying point for disgruntled Catholics who saw her as a legitimate queen.
Explain two reasons for the relationship of Spain and England’s Deterioration
Religious Rivalry remained important as Spain was a Catholic country while England was now a Protestant monarch. Phillip II opposed Elizabeth’s religious settlement of 1559, this increased the fear of invasion combined with the Spanish involvement in a range of plots to depose Elizabeth. eg the Babington plot, Ridolfi and the Throckmorton plot. Spain viewed Protestantism as bad as heresy
The revolt of the Netherlands occurred when Dutch Protestants rebelled against Spanish rule. Spain accused England of encouraging the rebels while England worried about the presence of a large Spanish army just across the channel from England. This was made worse by the English tolerance of Sea beggars- Dutch rebels and sailors who attacked Spanish Ships- as well as mercenaries, such as John Casimir.
Give two ways commercial rivaly led England and Spain to the brink of war
By the 1560s England and Spain had emerged as trade rivals. Both wanted the raw materials of the “new world” as well as trading opportunities in Turkey, Europe, Russia, China and North Africa. This was bound to lead to tensions between the two countries.
Tensions increased by Spain closed the Antwerp and Rhine to English traders, especially those involved in the wool trade. This resulted in English support for the Dutch rebels, making the relations between the two countries deteriorate further.
Explain the Background to the war with Spain (2)
England signed the treaty of Nonsuch in August 1585 with the Dutch protestant rebels. This increased the likelihood of a war with Spain.
By the terms of the treaty, England would pay for an army of 7,400 English soldiers, led by English commander Robert Dudley- who would work with the rebels’ government. It would be likely this group would fight against Spain, even though war had not been declared.
Why was the campaign in the Netherlands not a great success? (3)
Elizabeth still hoped to Negotiate with Phillip II
Some of Dudley’s officers deflected to the Spanish side
Dudley and Elizabeth had different aims in the Netherlands.
