Elizabethan England AQA GCSE - Part One Flashcards
What did Henry VII do on the 22nd August 1485?
Win the war of the roses against Richard of York, defeating the Yorkists by winning the Battle of Bosworth field.
What did Henry VIII do after winning the war of the roses?
He married Elizabeth of York, uniting the Lancastrians and Yorkists and she gave birth to Henry VIII.
Who were Elizabeth’s parents?
Henry VIII and his second wife Anne Boleyn.
When was Elizabeth I born?
7 September 1533.
What reasons were there for Anne Boleyn’s beheading?
- Anne Boleyn was accused of adultery.
- This reason was unofficial but she was unable to produce male offspring.
How old was Elizabeth when her mother was executed?
2 years old.
What Elizabeth’s position in the line of succession?
She was third behind her brother Edward based on male-preference primagenature, not by age, and her sister Mary I who was older than her.
When did Edward VI die? How old was he?
Edward VI died in 1553 at age 15 from tuberculosis
When did Henry VIII die? Who succeeded him?
28th January 1547, he was succeeded by his son Edward VI who was 9 years old. He was not fit to rule until 13 and thus nobles helped him until then.
Who came to the throne after Edward VI’s death?
Mary I in 1553.
Why was Elizabeth I imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1554? Who was responsible?
Mary I had Elizabeth arrested after supporting a rebellion and since she was seen as a threat. Mary I was a Catholic and Elizabeth I was a Protestant and thus Mary wanted to hold onto power to prevent a Protestant uprising.
When did Mary I die? How?
She died on 17th November 1558 of stomach cancer.
What did Mary I do to Protestants during her reign?
She burned 300 Protestants to death for refusing Catholicism.
When was Elizabeth I crowned?
15th January 1559.
Why was Elizabeth I prepared for a life in the royal court?
She was third in line and so no one thought she would become queen.
What would Elizabeth have been if not queen?
An important foreign figure to seal alliances through marriage.
What happened to Elizabeth after her stepmother, Katherine Parr’s, death?
Seymour wanted to marry a 13 year-old Elizabeth in February 1547 when he was 38.
What problems did Elizabeth face coming into power?
She would have to have power over a male only parliament and compete with her cousin Mary Queen of Scots, who was supported by Catholics.
How long did Elizabeth reign for?
45 years, the longest of any Tudor monarch.
What four groups had the most power in Elizabethan England?
Parliament, The Privy Council, Lord Lieutenants, Justices of the Peace.
How was Parliament split?
Parliament was made up of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Lords were based on powerful nobles and the House of Commons was based on gentry and commoners.
How much power did Parliament have?
It had some power over passing laws and tax, but the Queen could call Parliament when she wanted and ignore it if she wanted. It was called 13 times for monetary affairs in 45 years.
Who made up the Privy Council?
Those chosen by Elizabeth to be her top advisors, these were normally powerful landowners to prevent an uprising. These people were always all men.
What did the privy council do and decide?
The privy council took responsibility of the day-to-day affairs in the country and could be called by the Queen to deal with any issue including foreign affairs, religion and the Queen’s security. If the privy council agreed on something it would be difficult for Elizabeth to refuse it.
What was the leader of the privy council?
The Secretary of State.
Who made up the Lord Lieutenants?
These people were appointed by the Queen to administrate a certain area of England. Most of these people held other key roles like being on the privy council. The position of Lord Lieutenant brought great power and influence.
What did the Lord Lieutenants do?
They were involved in settling local disputes, collecting tax and gathering local militias in the event of a rebellion or during wartime.
What were Justices of the Peace?
An individual selected from the local gentry who helped govern certain counties.
What did Justices of the Peace do?
Their main role was to ensure laws were enforced properly. A single JP had the power to send someone to prison but multiple JPs were required to sentence someone to death.
What did Justices of the Peace swear to do when taking office?
They swore to treat everyone they dealt with equally, rich or poor.
Who made up the royal court?
Government officials, ladies-in-waiting, servants and advisors, who all surrounded Elizabeth at all times. The royal court was made up of around 1000 people at all times. These people ranged from nobles to servants. It was her mobile household.
What did the royal court represent?
The royal court was the centre of political power, trends and fashion in England, whatever Elizabeth and her royal court deemed to be fashionable everyone followed.
Where did Elizabeth and her royal court go?
She travelled between a number of households: Windsor, Greenwich, Hampton Court, St James’ Palace, Richmond just to name a few. She went on regular progresses around and outside London. Everyone admired her.
What was patronage?
Gaining loyalty from her powerful subjects by granting titles, making royal visits to their household and more to ensure that they were loyal to her and were willing to help her run the country.
If you were banished from Elizabeth’s court how were you viewed?
Banishment from her court would be seen as disgraceful, many saw it as unfair and corrupt as it was based on favours and loyalty and not ability.
When was Sir William Cecil born? Of what class was he?
1520, he was part of the gentry in Lincolnshire.
