Elizabethan England Flashcards
When did Queen Elizabeth come to power?
1558
What were problems that Elizabeth faced as soon as she gained the throne?
Mary had left England in 250,000 debt
she was unmarried and single
parents were not ‘officially married’, although made legitimate under act of succession’
why did Mary queen of scotts pose a threat?
she had an heir
Had a claim to the throne
was catholic
married into french throne
What were the religious conflicts she faced?
Henry VII broke away from Roman catholic church
Brother was Protestant
Sister Mary was Catholic
What was the role of the Privy Council?
powerful noblemen, 19 men, met everyday, advised her on domestic and foreign issues
Who was Elizabeth’s main advisor?
William Cecil, Secretary of state in 1558, most important minister
Who was Robert Dudley?
Earl of Leicester, trusted adviser and very close to Elizabeth
rumours they were lovers
Who was Sir Francis Walsingham?
In charge of Secret service
advised foreign affairs
uncovered plot that led to Mary Queen of Scotts execution
What were features that made Elizabeth so great?
she was highly literate
spoke foreign languages
married to her people not a man
created the golden age
very loyal and generous to those who served her well
What were advantages of not announcing marriage?
she had sole control of English affairs
allowed options opened for foreign affairs
focus of all power
What were disadvantages of not announcing marriage?
no heir, could plot attacks to over throw, privy council thought unsettle succession made country vulnerable
Who was King Phillip of Spain?
1560s he proposed to Elizabeth, Catholic, good alliance
Who was Francis Duke of Alencon?
Heir to French throne, marriage negotiations went on for nearly a decade, would have been good political alliance
What did Elizabeth do to ease religious tensions?
Created religious settlement in 1559, passing 2 laws.
Act of supremacy
Act of Uniformity
What was the act of supremacy?
Elizabeth was the supreme governor of the church
took power from catholic pope in Rome
appeased catholics and puritans who were uncomfortable with her being head of religion and state
What was the act of uniformity?
made protestantism the official English faith
was more tolerant with people and very few refused to take oath of loyalty to Queen
merged religious aspects
What were challenges of act of uniformity?
People refused to attend church so were forced to pay fines
What was the Act to retain the Queens subjects in their due obedience in 1581?
Catholics who were refusing to attend church service had to pay £20 a month
Why were there fears of Catholic plots?
Spain and France were threats as they were catholic
1570 pope issued a papal ball of excommunication against Elizabeth encouraging people to plot and kill
What was the Northern Earls rebellion in 1569?
Catholics, Earl of northymberland and Westmoreland wanted to get Mary Queen of Scots out of imprisonment and on throne, gathered army of 6000, no match for Elizabeth’s army, many put to death
What happened during the ridolfi plot in 1571?
Roberto Ridolifi planned to assassinate Elizabeth and make Mary Queen.
Had support of Kinky Phillip, duke of Norfolk, Mary
Cecil uncovered plot, Spanish ambassador arrested and expelled, Norfolk executed