Elizabethan England Flashcards
Acts of succession
Act of succession - when Elizabeth was born she was the new heir to the throne. Mary was illegitimate.
Second act of succession- Elizabeth can’t inherit the throne, her half brother does inherit it.
Third act of succession- Elizabeth can become Queen, just after her brother and sister.
The king’s daughter (Henry vii’s reign)
Elizabeth was a protestant.
Elizabeth rarely saw her father- meeting him only a few times in her life.
The distance strengthened the immense love and admiration she had for him.
Elizabeth was isolated as people believed she wasn’t important.
They believe she would never be the monarch, so doesn’t need to learn the etiquette of a royal.
The king’s sister (Edward’s reign)
Scandal between Elizabeth and Seymour
Thomas Seymour helped Elizabeth in her first serious political crisis.
He married Elizabeth’s stepmother, Catherine Parr - after Henry viii’s death.
Elizabeth lived in their household.
An outrageous flirtation between Elizabeth and Seymour developed which led to a scandal.
Seymour was accused of treason and executed in 1549.
Elizabeth was questioned.
It was suggested that Seymour was plotting to overthrow Edward and marry Elizabeth.
Elizabeth proved her innocence.
She escaped embarrassed but maintaining ler freedom, status and life.
This scandal taught her some invaluable political lessons about how to behave.
She learned to keep her distance and to trust nobody.
Royal court
The Royal Court had been a centre of political power throughout the Tudor period. Elizabeth herself did not build any palaces but did inherit and maintain a number of royal residences
- Not going to waste money.
- She’s going to want more.
The Court served a number of functions: as well as providing the Queen with a home and entertainment, it was a political nerve-centre.
- Look after Elizabeth.
- Give her advice.
- Demonstrate her power to others.
Privy Council
Elizabeth held the power to appoint and dismiss members of the Privy Council
- If she dismissed them, they would be embarrassed.
- She’s ensuring she remains in control.
- Demonstrating her power.
The role of the Privy Council was to advise and direct policy but the Queen was not obliged to take their advice.
- Retaining individuality
- She doesn’t have to listen to them.
Elizabeth deliberately appointed men in the Privy Council who were hostile towards each other – they would give her contrasting advice
- Different ideas.
- Debate and reason with each other.
- Respect Elizabeth.
- Stop members of council getting together and overthrowing her.
Lord Lieutenants were appointed by the Queen to take administrative responsibility for a particular area of the country. This involved settling disputes, collecting taxes and raising an army
- Loyalty to their Queen.
- The queen knows who’s doing what.
- So Elizabeth isn’t doing the day to day aspect of running the country.
Each county had several Justices of Peace to ensure order was kept. They were always selected from the local gentry and their main role was to ensure that laws passed by Parliament were properly enforced
- Law and order.
- People would be controlled properly.
- Loyal.
- Elizabeth isn’t doing the unimportant jobs.
Progresses
Most summers, Elizabeth would travel with her Court in progress, removing her from the threat of plague.
- Protects Elizabth from plague.
- Ensures the Queen is looked after.
- Saves money.
- People feel honoured and prestigious.
Elizabeth used a system of patronage. She gave her male courtiers political roles and was equally careful to give key politicians places at Court
- More support and loyalty.
- Buying their loyalty.
- She has control over that person.
- She got support from the royal court and politicians.
The Role of Parliament
Parliament’s role was to turn the policies of Elizabeth and her ministers into laws
- Make laws.
- Elizabeth looks through them after.
- Whatever she wanted happened.
Elizabeth’s financial problems meant that she relied heavily on parliamentary taxes
- Needed money from people.
- To look after and finance the country.
- Negative impact on the public.
- People paid for the Queen’s upkeep.
Elizabeth sometimes attended Parliament in person.
She also had the right to appoint the Speaker, who controlled topics of debate
- Shows she has power and a say.
- Shows she’s interested.
- Keeps control of parliament.
Elizabeth had the power of a royal veto
- Her decision is final.
- Control.
Elizabeth’s key ministers: william cecil
Elizabeth appointed Cecil as the secretary of state in 1558.
He was her most important minister and guided her wisely for 40 years.
He was also the Lord Treasurer (finance).
In 1571 he received the title Lord Burghley.
Elizabeth’s key ministers: Robert dudley
Earl of Leicester and a trusted advisor until he died in 1588.
He and Elizabeth were very close, there were rumours they were lovers.
Childhood friend.
Responsible for Elizabeth’s safety and member of the privy council.
Elizabeth’s key ministers: sir Francis Walsingham
He was in charge of Elizabeth’s secret service and advised on foreign affairs. In
1586, he uncovered the plot that led to Mary, QoS’s execution. Secretary of state.
Elizabeth’s key ministers
wiliiam cecil
robert dudley
sir francis walsingham
Potential Suitors
Robert Dudley - Earl of Leicester
Francis - Duke of Anjou and Alencon.
King Phillip II of Spain.
Potential suitors:
Robert Dudley - Earl of Leicester
AGREE:
Queen’s childhood friend.
One of her favourites.
Many assumed they would marry.
Trusted.
Protestant.
DISAGREE
- After the scandal of his wife’s death they could not marry as some believed he killed her.
- Key figure in the royal court.
Privy council with great power and influence in government.
Potential suitors:
Francis - Duke of Anjou and Alencon.
AGREE
Influence in France.
Heir to the French throne.
Alliance in France.
DISAGREE
- Elizabeth was 46, if she died childless, England would fall under French control.
- Catholic.
- Many people were against this marriage.
Potential suitors:
King Phillip II of Spain.
AGREE
King of spain.
One of the most powerful men.
One of the wealthiest.
DISAGREE
- He was Elizabeth’s brother in law (he married Queen Mary).
- Catholic.
- Powerful, could’ve taken over England.
Why Elizabeth should marry?
Prevents Mary QoS from ruling England.
Producing an heir means the tudor line continues.
Could create an alliance with a foreign country.
Stability (king of the country).
Why Elizabeth should not marry?
- Marrying a foreigner could mean England falling under their control.
- Marrying an Englishman can cause problems over who has authority.
- Unmarried - retain independence.
Legally the husband had authority over his wife. - Giving birth was risky - could result in death.
The Queen’s sister (‘bloody’ Mary’s reign)
Mary was an extreme catholic (murdering protestants). Elizabeth learnt not to be too extreme.
Accession
Elizabeth became Queen after Mary’s death as Mary had no heir.
Parliament during Elizabeth’s reign
By 1556, parliament began to openly discuss potential matches for Elizabeth.
The Queen was furious, she saw it as an unacceptable interference.
She banned parliament from ever discussing the issue again.
One politician, Peter Wentworth, ignored Elizabeth’s orders and argued that parliament should be able to discuss whatever it liked.
Realising how the Queen might react, the rest of parliament had him arrested and placed in the tower of London. (to make an example out of him).
Northern Rebellion, 1569
First rebellion Elizabeth faced as Queen. Earl of Northumberland and Earl of Westmorland.
Catholic earls from the North. They had been promised assistance from Catholic Spain.
Duke of Norfolk - Elizabeth’s cousin. Northern earls were mainly catholic. They hated Elizabeth’s religious changes (banned catholic mass, bible in English not Latin).
There was rivalry between Mary and Elizabeth as both were heirs to the throne. Mary was the great granddaughter of Henry VII and Elizabeth was the granddaughter. Mary had 2 claims: one through birth and one through marriage (she married her cousin).
Mary was accused of murdering her 2nd husband. She was going to be assassinated by the Scottish. She went to Elizabeth for help. Elizabeth imprisoned her to protect her but also because she felt threatened.
The northern earls protested against Elizabeth because they were catholic and she was protestant. Mary asked the Duke of Norfolk to marry her. He said no because Elizabeth said anyone who marries Mary is a traitor because Mary would have another claim.
The Duke of Norfolk and the Northern earls planned to free Mary and get her married to the duke of Norfolk, who would then overthrow the Queen and become king.
Norfolk wanted to cancel the uprising because he realised how dangerous it was. If the Queen found out, everyone would be executed.
Durham cathedral: The northern earls went to Durham cathedral and held a catholic mass and burned English protestant bibles.
When Elizabeth heard of this, she moved Mary to the south, coventry. She sent her army to the North; any rebel had to be killed or captured. The army succeeded.
Consequence:
- 700 men were put to death. - She ordered them to be hung, drawn and quartered. This is an action of humiliation.
This shows people what a traitor’s death is. - She had their lands seized; these were given to Elizabeth’s supporters (protestant).
The Duke of Norfolk was put under house arrest. Elizabeth couldn’t kill him as he was the only duke and her closest cousin.
Ridolfi plot, 1571
Ridolfi - Italian banker living in England.
With help from Catholi Spain (the most powerful country).
Elizabeth would be assassinated and Mary would be put on the throne.
Ridolfi and the Duke of Norfolk communicated through letters.
Sir Francis Walsinghan - Elizabeth’s secret service found the letters through spies.
These letters proved that the Duke of Norfolk was committing treason.
Elizabeth couldn’t bring herself to kill him: England’s only duke and Elizabeth’s closest male cousin.
In the end, she had him beheaded (less humiliating).
Essex’s rebellion
Earl of Essex - Robert Devereux - Queen’s favourite. Granted monopoly on sweet wine. (royal licences).
Irish rebellion - many Irish chiefs were fighting against English rule in Ireland, therefore in direct conflict with Elizabeth.
The earl of Essex had an argument and turned his back on the Queen (disrespectful). He drew his sword and slapped him. He went to prison. They made up and became friends again.
Elizabeth gave the earl of Essex the job of getting rid of the Irish rebellion. He deliberately disobeyed and defied her. He made a peace pact with the Irish.
Punishments: Dismissed him from privy council, get rid of his monopoly and stripped him of his title.
Earl of Essex’s response: Overthrow Elizabeth but not to harm or kill her but to protect her. He would execute Elizabeth’s councillors and become king.
Elizabeth’s response: Send her military to stop the rebellion and arrest the earl of Essex.
Earl of Essex’s actions: He knocked on people’s door for support. Nobody listened as the Queen was more powerful. In the end, he didn’t have enough support.
Elizabeth’s actions: The Queen’s men caught up to them and the earl of essex was outnumbered. He ran for his life as he was vulnerable without support. The earl burned some letters containing evidence of his plans to overthrow Elizabeth.
Punishments: - He said he was only trying to protect her from those who would betray her. - He surrendered and was sent to the tower to be executed. - He committed treason so should be hund, drawn and quartered but he was beheaded. - Elizabeth was close to him and wanted to spare him the humiliation.
Beliefs and practises
Protestant -
- The monarch should be the head of the Church and has final say in all religious matters.
- The Bible and church services should be in English.
- Priests are allowed to marry.
- Churches should be kept simple.
- When the bread and wine is taken in service it represents the body and blood of Jesus.
- Ordinary people can connect to God through personal prayers.
Catholic -
-The pope is the head of the Church and has final say in all religious matters.
- The Bible and church services should be in Latin.
- Priests should not marry.
- Churches should be decorated with paintings,statues and stained glass windows.
- The bread and wine taken in services literally transforms into the body and blood of Jesus.
Both -
Jesus was God’s son.
- Priests are ordinary people’s link with God.
- God created the world and everything.
- Those who challenge the true faith must admit their error or be punished by the true believers.
Elizabeth’s aims: (religious)
1) Heal divisions between catholics and protestants before they led to unrest and civil war.
2) Maximise her personal power and wealth by taking as much control over the church as she could.
Elizabeth’s middle way
The act of supremacy (May 1559) -
The Queen’s Highness is the only supreme governor of this realm and no foreign person or state had or ought to have any authority within this realm.
Changes that satisfy the catholics
Act of uniformity - aimed to end disputes between the two divisions.
The Communion table can replace the altar.
Statues, candles, crosses.
Priests had to wear Catholic style vestments.
The Pope can be head (Elizabeth was the only governor).
They were allowed to worship in their own way in private.
Changes that anger the catholics
Elizabeth became governor or head of the church
Priests are allowed to marry
Changing bible into english and not latin
Services held in english
Pilgrimage was banned
Book of common prayer (extreme protestant beliefs).
A protestant was appointed as archbishop.
Clergy swear loyalty to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth’s changes
why elizabeth passed these laws?
Elizabeth passed these laws because:
- Catholics were rebelling, she was being targeted and more people became Catholics.
- She wanted to control the catholics as she was scared they were trying to overthrow her.
- She abandoned her middle way.
Elizabeths religious changes
1571 - 1 shilling recusancy fines were issued (infrequently) for those who refused to attend Protestant church services. It became illegal to own Catholic items such as rosary beads.
1581 - Recusancy fines were increased to £20 - more than anyone could afford. They were strictly enforced.It became high treason to convert to Catholicism. Illegal to attend catholic mass.
1585- It became legal to kill anyone who attempted to assassinate the Queen. Jesuit priests were ordered to leave England. All catholic priests were ordered to leave England within 90 days or face death.
1593- Catholics who travelled more than 5 miles from their homes without permission had their land confiscated.Large catholic gatherings were made illegal.
