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Edexcel History GCSE > Elizabethan England > Flashcards

Elizabethan England Flashcards

1
Q

Give four examples of the problems Elizabeth faces when she became Queen of England.

A
  1. Legitimacy - Parents’ marriage was declared illegal so many Catholics believed she had no claim to the throne.
  2. No husband - concerns over female ruling alone; made England vulnerable to attack. No heir.
  3. Religion - the country was split between Protestants and Catholics. Elizabeth was Protestant.
  4. Invasion - France was a Catholic country and many there believed the catholic, MQS, married to the son of the French King, should be ruler of England.
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2
Q

Which body had to be consulted if Tudor monarchs wanted more money?

A

Parliament. They were only in session 9 times between 1558 and 1588. In each session, taxes were granted.

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3
Q

What was the name of the body of Elizabeth’s advisers?

A

The Privy Council, led by William Cecil. 19 people sat on this council.

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4
Q

How much debt did Elizabeth inherit from the war in France?

A

£300,000

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5
Q

What were 2 of Elizabeth’s aims regarding Religion? (2)

A
  1. Unity; To heal divisions between Protestants and Catholics to avoid Civil War.
  2. Power; To maximize her personal power by taking as much control over the church as possible.
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6
Q

Who was Francis Walshingham?

A

He was a close advisor of Elizabeth and her spymaster.

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7
Q

Who was Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester?

A

Leading Nobleman, advisor and favourite of Elizabeth.

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8
Q

What did Elizabeth create to solve the issue of religious division? What year?

A

The Religious Settlement (or “Middle Way”) in 1559.

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9
Q

What was the Act of Supremacy of 1559? (3)

A
  • Re-established the break from Rome; all clergy members had to swear an oath of loyalty to Elizabeth.
  • Elizabeth pronounced herself “Supreme Governor” of the Church of England.
  • Archbishops and Bishops were kept.
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10
Q

What was the Act of Uniformity of 1559? (4)

A
  • Catholic Mass was abandoned
  • All Bibles were to be written in English
  • Religious ornaments, such as crosses and candles, could be used in mass
  • Priests had to wear traditional (Catholic) vestments
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11
Q

How were the Religious Settlement’s Acts viewed at the time?

A

The majority were happy but Puritans and extreme Catholics were often unhappy.

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12
Q

Geographically, where was Catholicism strongest in England?

A

North East & North West.

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13
Q

What was a Puritan?

A

An (extreme) English Protestant who wanted a total simplification of church practices and any trace of catholicism removed.

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14
Q

What was the impact of the Religious Settlement of 1559? (2)

A
  • 8000 Priests took the oath of supremacy, showing support for the Acts.
  • Only 1 Bishop took the oath and so 27 new Bishops were appointed.
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15
Q

What was the role of the church of England?

A

Church courts dealt with issues such as marriage and death, wills and inheritance as well as enforcing the Religious Settlement. Inspectors would visit Churches to ensure the terms of the Settlement were upheld.

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16
Q

Give two examples of when Puritans challenged Elizabeth and how Elizabeth dealt with them.

A
  1. The Crucifix Controversy - Elizabeth liked crucifixes however Puritans did not. This was a problem as several Bishops threatened to resign and as a result, the Queen backed down and removed crucifixes from the church.
  2. The Vestment Controversy - Elizabeth wanted priests to wear special vestments but some refused. A special exhibition was held in London to show what should be worn. of the 110 invited, 37 did not attend and lost their posts. Elizabeth stood her ground.
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17
Q

How did the Pope challenge Elizabeth’s Religious Settlement and what was the impact of this?

A

He issued a statement in 1566 that Catholics should not attend protestant Church services. This had virtually no impact…

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18
Q

What proportion of the nobility was Catholic?

A

1/3

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19
Q

Why were some Catholic nobles unhappy with the Religious Settlement?

A

Elizabeth chose to have Protestant advisors so they found their political power and influence decrease.

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20
Q

What is a heretic?

A

People who didn’t believe the teachings of the Catholic Church.

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21
Q

What is a recusant?

A

Someone who refuses to attend Church of England services

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22
Q

How did Elizabeth reduce the threat from France?

A

Elizabeth signed the treaty of Troyes confirming that Calais belonged to France in 1564.

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23
Q

Give three reasons why Spain was unhappy with Elizabeth in 1559.

A
  1. Elizabeth had supported Protestants in the Netherlands.
  2. Elizabeth had stolen gold from a Spanish ship.
  3. Elizabeth had refused to marry him.
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24
Q

Why was Mary Queen of Scots a threat to Elizabeth in 1568? (3)

A
  • She was next in line to the throne. Her grandmother was Margaret Tudor and her great grandfather was Henry VII. She also had a son, James.
  • She had close links with France through her French mother, first husband (King of France), and a childhood spent in France. The French might also support her claim.
  • She was Catholic had the support of many Catholic nobles in England who did not believe that Elizabeth was a legitimate Queen.
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25
Q

How did Elizabeth deal with MQS in 1568?

A

Mary was kept under house arrest.

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26
Q

In what year did the Pope introduce a Bull excommunicating Elizabeth?

A

1570, Papal Bull Regnans in Excelsis.

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27
Q

Why was the “Bull Regnans in Excelsis” significant?

A

Because English Catholics did not have to be loyal to Elizabeth.

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28
Q

When was the Treason Act and what did it state?

A

1571.

Anyone denying Elizabeth’s supremacy and bringing in the Pope’s Bull of Excommunication will be executed.

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29
Q

When was the Northern rebellion?

A

November 1569

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30
Q

Give one religious reason why the Northern nobles were unhappy with Elizabeth in the 1560s? (4)

A
  • Catholicism was strongest in the north of England and many wanted the restoration of Catholicism under a Catholic monarch.
  • The arrival of MQS in 1568 gave them hope Elizabeth could be replaced.
  • Hatred of Elizabeth’s Religious Settlement.
  • Elizabeth had appointed James Pilkington (Protestant) as Archbishop of Durham.
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31
Q

Give one political reason why the Northern nobles were unhappy with Elizabeth in the 1560s? (3)

A
  • Saw Catholic influence over monarch reducing. (Elizabeth preferred Protestant advisors from non-noble families.)
  • Hatred of William Cecil.
  • Elizabeth increased her control of the north through the Council of the North – this council was controlled by Protestants and northern nobles resented this.
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32
Q

Why was the Duke of Northumberland angry with Elizabeth? (2)

A
  • Elizabeth had taken large areas of land from him and shared them between his main rival in the north and a southern Protestant.
  • Elizabeth had also claimed all profits from copper mines discovered on his land.
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33
Q

Name three important figures who took part in the northern rebellion.

A

Duke of Norfolk (Queen Elizabeth’s cousin), Northumberland, and Westmoreland.

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34
Q

Who did the earls want to replace Elizabeth with as queen of England?

A

Mary Queen of Scots.

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35
Q

Which city did the nobles capture and what did they do at the cathedral there?

A

Durham / Celebrated Catholic Mass.

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36
Q

Why did the Northern Rebellion fail? (3)

A
  • Large royal army of 10,000 met rebels – showed support for Elizabeth
  • Little support for revolt among the majority of Catholic nobility and ordinary people – most chose to support Queen.
  • Spain / Pope’s promise of military support did not happen.
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37
Q

What happened to the nobles after they were defeated?

A

400-600 of those involved were executed, including Northumberland, although not until 1572. Others fled to Scotland / abroad.

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38
Q

What was the impact of the Northern uprising? (5)

A
  • Elizabeth confiscated the land of the Earls who rebelled making her stronger
  • The reorganizing of the Northern Council strengthened her position
  • Norfolk was released after 9 months in the Tower of London
  • She became less tolerant of Catholics. Recusancy (not attending church) was punished more harshly
  • The Pope excommunicated Elizabeth in 1570.
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39
Q

What did Pope Pius do in 1570 and how did this increase the Catholic threat to Elizabeth?

A

Issued the Papal Bull excommunicating Elizabeth I. Meant Catholics no longer had to obey her – encouraged to overthrow her.

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40
Q

What were the aims of the Ridolfi, Throckmorton, and Babington Plots?

A

Assassinate Elizabeth I. Replace her with Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots.

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41
Q

In what year was the Ridolfi plot?

A

1571

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42
Q

In what year was the Throckmorton Plot?

A

1583

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43
Q

Why did the Ridolfi plot fail?

A

Letters were intercepted. Elizabeth’s allies passed names of main conspirators to her.

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44
Q

Who supported the Ridolfi plot?

A

Pope and King Philip; agreed to provide troops.

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45
Q

Who uncovered the Throckmorton Plot?

A

Francis Walsingham – had Throckmorton under surveillance for months.

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46
Q

What did English nobles have to sign after the failed Throckmorton Plot and what did it require them to do?

A

Bond of Association – required them to execute anyone who tried to overthrow Elizabeth.

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47
Q

Give three reasons why the Catholic Plots were never a real threat.

A
  1. Elizabeth was a popular ruler – conspirators lacked public support e.g. failure of Northern Earls showed a lack of appetite for Catholic revolution
  2. Philip II – reluctant to destroy alliance with Elizabeth. Promises of support were half-hearted. Rarely followed through
  3. Spy networks always uncovered plots long before they fully developed
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48
Q

When was the Babington plot?

A

1586

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49
Q

How was the plot discovered?

A

Walsingham was aware of the plot and allowed it to develop to the point where letters were found showing that Mary agreed to the assassination of Elizabeth.

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50
Q

What happened to Mary after the Babington plot?

A

She was found guilty of treason. Elizabeth signed her death warrant but did not seal it. Mary was executed.

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51
Q

When was MQS executed? Why had Elizabeth been reluctant up until then?

A

1587 (Feb) / Mary a fellow monarch – believed in divine right, executing Mary undermined claim to rule by Divine Right and might fuel more plots against her.

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52
Q

What were the main reasons Mary was executed? (4)

A
  • Her claim to the throne and her Catholicism.
  • her involvement in the Babington plot – she was finally implicated in a plot to assassinate Elizabeth.
  • Her links abroad – she had the support of Phillip of Spain and the Pope so there was a constant threat of invasion from Spain.
  • The Privy Council. They wanted her dead and as she would always be a focal point for catholic plots whilst alive. The council had passed the Act for the Preservation of the Queen’s Safety in 1585 meaning if Mary was found guilty of involvement in a plot she could be put on trial.
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53
Q

What was the impact of Mary’s beheading?

A

Limited – English Catholics did not rise up against Elizabeth.
Although Philip of Spain did launch the Armada is was not a direct consequence of Mary’s execution

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54
Q

What year did MQS abdicate from the Scottish throne?

A

1567

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55
Q

Why did England and Spain have good relations at the start of Elizabeth’s reign? (2)

A

Marriage alliances (Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon / Philip II married Mary) and fought together against France in 1550s.

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56
Q

Who controlled the Netherlands?

A

Spain / Philip II

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57
Q

Why were the Netherlands important to England?

A

English exports to Europe were vital to the English economy – went through Dutch ports like Antwerp.

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58
Q

Which port in the Netherlands was vital to England’s exports?

A

Antwerp

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59
Q

Which countries did Philip II rule over?

A

Spain, Portugal, parts of Italy and the Netherlands. He also had an empire in North and South America and Asia (Philippines)

60
Q

Give three reasons why there was political rivalry between England and Spain?

A
  1. Spanish ambassadors were involved or linked to the Throckmorton plot
  2. Elizabeth refused to marry Philip so causing him considerable embarrassment
  3. The situation in the Netherlands is an example of this political rivalry.
61
Q

What do you call English sailors who traded illegally with Spanish colonies and attacked Spanish treasure fleets? Name two famous examples of these men.

A

Privateers / John Hawkins and Francis Drake

62
Q

What examples are there of commercial rivalry between England and Spain? (3)

A
  • John Hawkins (English privateer) challenged the Spanish monopoly of the slave trade
  • Hawkins, Drake, and other privateers stole from Spanish ships. Key events were Nombre de Dios (1572) and Cacafuego (1579)

– Drake captured £40,000 of silver in 1572 and returned with £400,000 worth of treasure after his circumnavigation of the globe in 1580.

63
Q

How did Elizabeth help Dutch rebels against the Spanish in 1568?

A

After the Dutch revolted against the Spanish, Elizabeth sheltered Dutch sea beggars in her ports.

64
Q

What did Elizabeth do in 1568 with the Spanish ships laden with gold that took refuge in English ports?

A

Seized the gold for herself – ‘Genoese Loan’ – arguing it was money from Italian bankers and not, therefore, Spanish gold.

65
Q

Who did Elizabeth encourage to help the Dutch against the Spanish in the 1570s?

A

The French Duke of Alencon.

66
Q

What & when was the Dutch Revolt?

A

The Dutch Revolt, 1566, saw Dutch protestants and Catholics unite against Spanish rule.

67
Q

Who did Phillip send to defeat the Dutch Revolt? When did he do this?

A

Duke of Alba / 1668

68
Q

What did the Spanish sign with the Dutch after they went bankrupt in 1576?

A

The Pacification of Ghent asked the Spanish to leave the Netherlands. The Spanish then ignored this and invaded the Netherlands again in 1577.

69
Q

How did Elizabeth increase the help she was giving to the Dutch in 1577?

A

She sent a mercenary John Casimir to fight the Spanish in the Netherlands. This failed.

70
Q

How did Elizabeth support the Dutch rebellion against Spanish rule in 1581?

A
  • Offered limited financial help to the rebels but did not want to provoke Philip.
71
Q

Why was Elizabeth initially reluctant to help the Dutch rebels in the Netherlands against the Spanish?

A

Reluctant to provoke Philip by getting directly involved (did offer limited financial help)

72
Q

What was the name of the Dutch rebel who was assassinated in 1584?

A

William of Orange

73
Q

What did the French and Spanish sign in 1584 and how did this impact England?

A

After the Duke of Alencon died, France and Spain signed the treaty of Joinville which meant that England was now isolated. The Privy Council pushed Elizabeth to send an army to the Netherlands.

74
Q

What was the name of the Treaty Elizabeth signed in 1585 which placed the Netherlands under her protection?

A

Treaty of Nonsuch.

75
Q

Give four reasons why Elizabeth signed the Treaty of Nonsuch in 1585

A
  1. Religious - ensure freedom of worship for Dutch Protestants
  2. Military - if rebels were defeated – Philip could use the Netherlands as the base for an invasion
  3. Commercial - key ports for English trade
  4. Strategic - if Dutch rebels defeated interests then Spain would control the Channel and Atlantic coasts of Europe
76
Q

How many troops did Elizabeth send to the Netherlands?

A

In 1585, England sent 7000 troops to the Netherlands.

77
Q

Who led the English military expedition to the Netherlands?

A

Robert Dudley (also known as the Earl of Leicester)

78
Q

Give two reasons why England was defeated in the Netherlands?

A
  1. Leadership: Dudley was not a talented general and his officers were bitterly divided over strategy.
  2. Resources: English army was small and poorly equipped and funded compared with the Spanish.
79
Q

Who was the Spanish general leading the campaign against the Dutch rebels / English?

A

Duke of Parma

80
Q

What did Philip II do after Elizabeth signed the Treaty of Nonsuch?

A

Prepared invasion of England. He began plans to build an Armada.

81
Q

Which Spanish port did Francis Drake attack in 1587?

A

Cadiz

82
Q

Why did Francis Drake attack the port of Cadiz in 1587?

A

To slow down Spanish preparations for the Armada by destroying or raiding naval supplies.

83
Q

How many ships did Drake destroy in Cadiz, 1587?

A

30

84
Q

How else did Drake slow down Philip’s preparations for the Armada?

A

Drake sailed along the coast destroying supplies being sent to Lisbon and seized a valuable ship – San Filipe – which allowed Elizabeth to improve English defenses with money captured

85
Q

Give two examples of the impact of the raid on Cadiz?

A
  1. Expensive – strained Spain’s finances

2. Delayed Armada for a year allowing England time to prepare

86
Q

What was the nickname given to Drake’s actions at Cadiz?

A

‘Singeing the King of Spain’s beard’

87
Q

When did the Armada depart?

A

May 1588

88
Q

Who led the Spanish Armada?

A

Duke of Medina Sidonia – little military or naval experience. Also got seasick.

89
Q

Who led the English fleet against the Armada?

A

Lord Howard, Sir Francis Drake – experienced seamen.

90
Q

Why was the Armada unable to join forces with Spanish troops waiting in the Netherlands?

A

Poor communication and the troops in the Netherlands were slowed down by Dutch ships blockading them at Ostend. Spanish plans were flawed.

91
Q

What did the English do to cause panic among the Spanish and lead them to cut their anchors?

A

Sent fireships towards the Spanish fleet while they were anchored at Calais.

92
Q

Why else were English tactics and ships superior to the Spanish?

A

They had new faster/narrower galleons that could sail close to the Spanish ships and then move away quickly. The English cannons could also be reloaded more quickly. However, they only had 24 of these new ships.

93
Q

What role did the wind play in the defeat of the Spanish Armada?

A

The wind changed direction and blew the Armada into the North sea making it impossible to meet up with Parma. This was called the “Protestant wind”. It also meant the Spanish got stuck in storms and had to sail back via Scotland and Ireland where many ships were shipwrecked.

94
Q

Which European countries were first to explore the world beyond Europe in the 1400s?

A

Spain and Portugal – voyages of discovery to Africa, the Americas and Asia. By the time Elizabeth came to the throne, Spain and Portugal had colonies in the Americas.

95
Q

Name three advances in technology which made longer journeys possible.

A
  1. 1590s – the sea astrolabe.
  2. From the 1570s, the log and line helped sailors estimate their speed with more accuracy.
  3. Ships-building – English built larger and longer ships which were better suited to long ocean voyages because they were faster, more stable and easier to navigate. Lateen sails meant faster sailing too.
96
Q

How did maps improve?

A

More detailed and reliable e.g. the Mercator map.

97
Q

Name two reasons rivalry with Spain encouraged exploration.

A
  1. Spain made it difficult for English traders to trade freely through Antwerp. This encouraged them to look for new routes into Europe and further afield, especially Americas and Asia.
  2. Elizabeth realised she needed to compete with Spain globally, not just within Europe.
98
Q

Name two ways Elizabeth encouraged the development of England’s international trade

A
  1. Granted some merchant’s monopolies which gave them exclusive rights to trade in a particular part of the world.
  2. Encouraged privateering and explored opportunities to establish English colonies in the Americas
99
Q

Give an example of an English monopoly Elizabeth granted

A

East India Company – given a monopoly on trade with Asia in 1600

100
Q

Who was John Hawkins?

A

A slave trader. He traded slaves captured in West Africa in the Caribbean making him very wealthy.

101
Q

Who was Sir Walter Raleigh?

A

An English explorer who attempted to develop colonies in modern-day North America.

102
Q

Name two reasons Elizabeth wanted an English colony in the Americas.

A

POLITICAL: It would challenge Spain’s dominance in the Americas and could be used as a base for attacking Spanish treasure ships

FINANCIAL: A colony would provide opportunities for trade and be a source of raw materials that would make the English rich.

103
Q

When did Walter Raleigh go on his fact-finding mission to North America? Where did he land?

A

1584 / Roanoke Island

104
Q

What did Raleigh return to England with?

A

Two Native Americans

105
Q

When did the first attempt to set up a colony in Virginia happen?

A

1585

106
Q

Who led the first colonising expedition of Virginia?

A

Sir Richard Grenville

107
Q

How many settlers (planters) went on this first expedition?

A

108

108
Q

When did the majority of settlers return to England? Why?

A
  1. Francis Drake arrived to find planters running low on supplies. Most were unhappy so decided to return.
109
Q

When was the second attempt to establish a colony? How many?

A

1587 / 100 settlers.

110
Q

Why were supplies from England delayed?

A

Spanish Armada in 1588

111
Q

What happened when the supply ship finally reached Roanoke following the attempt to establish a second colony?

A

All the planters had disappeared. Mystery. Roanoke is known as the ‘Lost Colony’.

112
Q

Why was the attempt to set up a colony in Virginia a failure? (2)

A
  1. The voyage set off too late in the year to be able to plant crops in Virginia and so they were short of food. This made them vulnerable to problems like delayed supply ships. Also, the ship ‘the Tiger’ flooded meaning many supplies were ruined such as food and gunpowder.
  2. There was a poor mix of people, too many craftsmen and not enough farmers. This led to reliance on native Americans for supplies and skills which led to increasing hostility.
113
Q

How did the planters anger the local Native Americans?

A

Too demanding of supplies and food. Wingina, the local chief, disliked the English as many of his tribe died from disease and he was killed in a battle with colonists.

114
Q

Who was Sir Francis Drake?

A

A Privateer

115
Q

What problems did Drake face when circumnavigating the globe?

A

Rough seas, pirates, the Spanish

116
Q

Why was Drake’s circumnavigation an achievement? (2)

A
  1. Only the second man in history to achieve this and the first Englishman to achieve this.
  2. Drake returned with £400,000 in treasure with Elizabeth getting £200,000 of that more than her entire income for a year
117
Q

Give two reasons why population growth increased poverty.

A
  1. Food production did not keep pace with the population. Food prices rose and led to food shortages.
  2. More competition for land – rents increased and many were forced out of homes.
118
Q

What was the name given to the increase in rents by greedy landlords?

A

Rack renting.

119
Q

Name two developments in farming that increased poverty

A
  1. Enclosures – reduced common land that the poor had traditionally used to grow crops / keep animals.
  2. Sheep farming – required fewer labourers so increased unemployment. Also led to the fall in grain production which contributed to rising food prices and inflation.
120
Q

What had the monasteries used to offer the poor?

A

Food, shelter and basic treatment of illnesses in times of need

121
Q

Why were the poor no longer able to rely on monasteries under Elizabeth?

A

Henry VIII had closed down most of England’s monasteries between 1536-41 as part of his conversion to Protestantism.

122
Q

How had events abroad led to increasing poverty in England?

A

The switch to sheep farming instead of grain was due to wool exports being more profitable. This then led to poverty as not as many farmers were needed to tend sheep.

123
Q

Why were Elizabethans so worried about poverty levels rising?

A

Crime rates / worried poor might rise up in rebellion if the problem was not addressed.

124
Q

What did Elizabethans call the poor who were unable to support themselves or who wanted to work but were unable?

A

Helpless / Deserving poor

125
Q

What did they call the poor who were beggars, criminals etc?

A

Undeserving poor

126
Q

What was poor relief?

A

Money is paid for by the poor rate. If you were the undeserving poor you were not helped, but rather punished.

127
Q

Name three things the 1563 Poor Law said

A
  1. Gave magistrates the power to raise local funds for poor relief (‘poor rate’).
  2. People not paying the poor rate could be imprisoned or fined.
  3. Stated the undeserving poor could be publically whipped
128
Q

Name two things the 1572 Poor Law said

A
  1. Gave local officials power to decide how much people should pay.
  2. Undeserving poor could be whipped and drilled a hole through both ears. Death penalty if caught 3 times.
129
Q

Where did rich children receive an education?

A

At home with private tutors. Boys did hunting, maths, and languages. Girls did singing and dancing and also leant languages and literature.

130
Q

What were petty schools?

A

Small local schools that provided a basic education up to the age of 8 years.

131
Q

What was taught at petty schools?

A

Basic reading, writing and sometimes maths. Strong religious focus.

132
Q

Who attended petty schools?

A

Mostly boys but some girls.

133
Q

At what age did people attend petty schools?

A

No fixed age but usually from six and stayed until they could read and write.

134
Q

How many new grammar schools were set up under Elizabeth?

A

100

135
Q

What sort of children attended grammar schools?

A

Mostly boys from upper-middle classes and gentry. Some grammars offered free places to bright boys from poorer backgrounds.

136
Q

What was taught at grammar schools?

A

Latin, classical literature and Greek. Also arithmetic. Some grammar schools also taught subjects like craftsmanship/business skills.

137
Q

Could girls get an education?

A

Very few did except the very rich. However, there were some Dame schools for middle-class girls.

138
Q

What were the two main universities boys attended?

A

Oxford and Cambridge.

139
Q

What did students study at university?

A

Arithmetic, Greek, Astronomy, Philosophy and theology. All courses were conducted entirely in Latin.

140
Q

What did the rich do for entertainment?

A

Hunted deer and other wild animals. Hawking with trained falcons. Fencing. Tennis, bowls.

141
Q

What did ordinary people do for entertainment? (2)

A

Football – few rules, often descended into fights.

Bloodsports – cockfighting, bull or bear-baiting. Gambling.

142
Q

Name two famous Elizabethan theatres

A

The Globe & The Curtain

143
Q

How did theatre change under Elizabeth?

A

Became more permanent and purpose-built theatres were built.

144
Q

What were the differences in how the poor and rich enjoyed the theatre?

A

The poor paid a penny to stand in the pit.

The rich sat in the gallery.

145
Q

How did Elizabeth support theatre?

A

She set up her own acting company, The Queen’s Men.

Edexcel History GCSE (4 decks)

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