Elizabethan England Flashcards
who made up Elizabeth’s government?
-court
-Privy Council
-Parliament
-Justices of the Peace
-Lord Lieutenants
the court
made up of noblemen, who acted as the monarch’s advisors and friends. They advised the monarch and helped display her wealth and power. Members of the court could also be members of the Pricy Council
the Privy Council
members of the nobility who helped govern the country. They monitored parliament, Justices of the Peace and oversaw law and order and the security of the country.
Justices of the Peace
large landowners; appointed by government, who kept law and order locally and heard court cases.
Lord Lieutenants
noblemen, appointed by government, who governed English counties and raised the local militia (local emergency army)
Parliament
advised Elizabeth’s government, made up of the House of Lords and House of Commons. The House of Lords was made up of noblemen and bishops. The House of Commons was elected, though very few people could vote. Parliament passed laws and approved taxes. (inc. extraordinary taxation.)
from top to bottom, the Tudor social Hierarchy
God
Monarch
Nobility
Gentry
Yeomen
Tenant Farmers
Labouring Poor
Vagabonds
How many were in the Privy Council, how often did they meet, and some notable members
19 members, met 3 times a week, included William Cecil, Robert Dudley and Francis Walsingham
What were the 7 main issues Elizabeth faced at the start of her reign?
-Gender
-Debt
-Legitimacy
-Marriage
-Religion
-Children
-Rebellions
-Mary, Queen of Scots
Elizabeth’s personal strengths
-confident and charismatic
-resilient
-spoke Latin, Greek, French and Italian
-used patronage well
Elizabeth’s weakness
-very indecisive, took her time making important choices
how much debt was England in and why
£300,000, from the war against France (Mary I)
5 foreign issues 1558
-France was wealthy and Mary Queen of Scots was married to the French King, Catholics could invade. Auld Alliance France-Scotland
-Couldn’t afford war
-France ended war with Spain, more resources.
-England lost Cambrai under the Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis, Elizabeth had pressure to capture it again.
-Pope called for Counter-Reformation
the 5 features of the Religious settlement of 1559
-Act of Supremacy, Elizabeth was Supreme Governor of the Church
-Act of Uniformity, churches must look a certain way, mix of both. Must attend church or else fined.
-Royal Injunctions, clergy have to reinforce acts.
-An Ecclesiastical High Commission made to keep discipline.
-Book of common Prayer introduced, set church service
6 jobs the Church had
-preached government’s message
-provided communal guidance
-enforced the religious settlement
-responsible for Church Courts
-Legitimised Elizabeth’s rule
-Visitations
what did puritans want?
-No bishops, no vestments, no priests.
-Banning sinful activities like gambling and cock fighting
-Simple churches
-Minority of puritans wanted catholic monarchs overthrown.
-Pope was the anti-christ
The revolt of the northern earls
1969
Mary would marry the Duke of Norfolk, remove Elizabeth and become Queen.
Robert Dudley discovered the plot and told Elizabeth, leading to Norfolk’s arrest and imprisonment.
Northumberland and Westmorland continued the revolt. They held a mass at Durham Cathedral, destroying the Book of Common Prayer.
Mary moved to Coventry, away from the rebels.
Revolt ended in Hartlepool, they never received support from Spain.
The Ridolfi Plot
1971
Robert Ridolfi was an Italian banker who lived in England as a spy for the pope.
The plan was for Ridolfi to murder Elizabeth, Spain to invade and Mary to be Queen.
He went to the Netherlands and signed a letter for Norfolk to pledge himself leader of the rebellion.
Phillip II made the Duke of Alba prepare 10 000 troops to England.
Cecil intercepted the plot and Norfolk was found guilty.
1572, Norfolk executed, Mary let off once more
Throckmorton plot
1583
French Duke of Guise plotted to invade and overthrow Elizabeth, free Mary and make England Catholic.
Phillip II helped pay for it and the pope approved.
Francis Throckmorton passed letters from plotters to Mary
Francis Walsingham discovered the plot and Throckmorton was arrested and tortured in May 1584.
Babington plot
1586
The Duke of Guise planned to invade England murder the Queen and put Mary on the Throne. Pope and Philip II supported
Anthony Babington wrote to Mary about it
Walsingham intercepted, plotter were killed
Elizabeth signed Mary’s death warrant in Feb 1587, for her involvement in the plot
