Elizabethan England

Question 1

When did Elizabeth become Queen

Answer 1

17th November 1558 and she was crowned on the 15th January 1559
she reigned for 45 years

Question 2

Discuss Elizabeth coming into power in a Patriarchal Society

Answer 2

male society structure
Elizabeth came into power when England was still a patriarchal society meaning it was unknown for a woman to be in charge so she faced gender issues.
And in a Catholic country but she couldn’t be Catholic otherwise she would be calling herself illegitimate.

Question 3

What was the English Reformation

Answer 3

when Henry VIII created the church of England moving away from Rome Catholicism and towards Protestantism. He made himself supreme head of the church meaning he was saying he is above the Pope.

Question 4

Who were the Privy Council

Answer 4

The Privy Council was a group of around 20 of the queen’s most trusted councillors. They advised her on all aspects of government and ensured her wishes were carried out. They were expected to obey her orders even if they disagreed with her.

Question 5

Who were the Parliament

Answer 5

It was made up of members of the nobility and the gentry. The queen needed Parliament’s consent to pass new laws or raise taxes. Parliament only met when the Queen summoned it and Elizabeth tried to avoid using it - she only called Parliament 13 times during her 44-year reign.

Question 6

what were the three plots against elizabeth

Answer 6

throckmorton plot
babington plot
ridollfi plot

Question 7

what did the queen rely on the members of the nobility and gentry for

Answer 7

• to enforce law and order throughout the country
• local government posts like justices of the peace and Sheriff were unpaid but many men volunteered to increase their local power and influence
• justices of the peace were important - they enforced the law, provided for the poor and ensured bridges and roads were maintained

Question 8

why was there social and economic divisions

Answer 8

• england’s population had been rising since 1500
• most people lived and worked in rural areas but towns and cities were rapidly growing
• economy dominated by agriculture but farming practices were changing
• export of woolen cloth to Europe was important but merchants were also starting to explore trade with America and Asia
• Elizabeth society was dominated by a small land-owning aristocracy of nobility and gentry
• there was also a growing number of wealthy men who earned their living as lawyers or merchants
• there was great inequality and the divide between rich and poor was growing
• poverty became a major problem in Elizabethan England

Question 9

describe Elizabeth as a person

Answer 9

• she was third in line so no one expected her to be queen
• she had a difficult upbringing and sometimes feared for her life.
• In 1554 she was accused of conspiring against her half-sister Queen Mary 1 and placed under house arrest for almost a year