Elizabethan Religious Settlement And Problems She Faced And English Society / Government 1558 And English Society Flashcards
What were the Religious divisions in England in 1558 like
After the reign of Catholic Mary I England was a divided country in terms of religion. The North of England had generally remained Catholic and the earls and their followers wanted Catholicism restored across the country.
Catholics North and west England
Protestants- mostly SE England
Puritans found in London and East Anglia
Elizabeth’s religious Settlement (1559): its features
Act of Supremacy (Elizabeth supreme governor of the church) - forced churchmen and public office to swear an Oath of Supremacy and remain loyal to Elizabeth. Most parish priests also did this but one catholic belief refused and were replaced.
Act of Uniformity (all churches and services to be the same across the country) and required people to attend church once a week or be fined 12 pence
Royal Injunctions (instructions to reinforce the two main Acts) - instrjction on how peopel should worship God and how services should be conducted( keep a bible copy in English / government licence to preach / weap special vestments)
The book of Common Prayer- set church service for use for all churhces. The clergy had to follow this or be punished
An ecclesiastical High Commision- keep discipline within the church and enforce the religious settlements or the clergy will be punished.
Elizabeth’s religious Settlement (1559): its impacts
Elizabeth’s religious settlement of 1559 was an attempt at finding a compromise that would establish a form of Protestantism that Catholics could accept. She didn’t want to persecute Catholics but she was hoping that their religion would die out in England eventually.
8000 out of 10,000 clergys accepted religious settlement
Many Marian Bishops opposed the settlement
Majority of the ordinary people accepted Elizabeth’s religious settlements and attended service
The Church of England: its role in society.
Elizabeth used the Church of England to increase her control. e.g. Church courts and inspections enabled her to enforce the religious settlement
Preached the government’s message as priest were required a licence to preach Elizabeth’ religious political message
Parish church helped people during hardship
Encouraged people to remain loyal to Elizabeth
Visitations- carried inspections on the churches adn clergy every 3-4 years along with physicians,midwives and surgeons
The nature and extent of the Puritan challenge.
Puritans (extreme Protestants) disapproved of the use of the crucifix and priests wearing special vestments.
Elizabeth had to back down about the crucifix due to Puritan bishops threatening to resign, as she could not replace them with educated Protestant clergy.
However, she managed to insist that the vestments were worn through the1566 Book of Advertisements which showed what priests must weae. As a reult 37 Puritan priests refused.
Extent of Puritan challenge:
John Foxe were antio cathplic and opposed Bishops
Puriantism had less of an impact in Northern Enfland (catholic) . However, were active within London.
Government ignored most Puritan demands for reform of the church e.g Admonition to Parliament 1572 due to limited support (attempted to restore the New testament by disregarding Catholic practices)
What happened 1566 and 1569
In 1566 the pope issued an instruction for Catholics not to attend church services. Some people were punished for not attending mass but in many cases this did not happen (counter reformation). Additionally, 37 priest refused to wear special vestements by resigning.
Other parts of the country proved more of a challenge – particularly in the North of England where there was a revolt in 1569
1566 revolt plan
Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland would raise an army and take control of Durham and would then march south to join the Duke of Norfolk’s forces
• Several thousand Spanish troops would land in Hartlepool to support the rebels
• Duke of Norfolk and the rebel forces would seize control of London and overthrow Elizabeth
• Mary Queen of Scots would be freed, married to the Duke Norfolk and placed on the throne
Main events of the Revolt of the Northern Earls
Rebels led by Earl of Northhumberland and West Morland took Durham Cathedral and celebrated a full Catholic mass. Controlled land in NE England as far south as Leeds. After they woud march to free MQOS although she was moved to coventry.
However, most nobles stayed loyal to Elizabeth and by 24 November the rebels were forced to retreat and eventually defeated due to most troop deserting and two earls fleeing. Additionally, no support from Spain arrived . As a result 400 rebels executed.
Significance of the revolt of the Northern earls
First and most serious rebellious act by Catholics against Elizabeth.
Power and influence of Northern Earls ended. Prompted harsher treatments against Catholics.
Pope Pius VI excommunicated Elizabeth (expelled her from the church)
Elizabeth’s control over the North of Englsnd strengthened.
What problems did Elizabeth face in 1558
Strength of Mary as Queen
Many people thought that Elizabeth was not the Legitimate (legal) Queen because Henry VIII got divorced (Catherine if Aragon)
Society- Women were thought to be inferior. A queen ruling by herself was very unusual so many felt that Elizabeth should marry
Women could not rule effectively due to a need for an heir. As a result Elizabeth was pressured to find a husband (outspark of a civil war) .However, she was reluctant to do so as she would lose status. Furthermore, marriage within the country can cause outrage within the country and marrying foreign can give opposing countries too much power.
Religion - In 1558, country was divided by religion (Catholic until Henry VIII’s reign), many thought country’s differences would lead to civil war
Strengths:
Intelligent / confident / well educated despte having little traning she is a powerful and effective leader
Challenges at home
At home:
Financial weaknesses – England had fought costly wars before Elizabeth became Queen. (King Edward VI fought costly wars in Scotland / Mary I spent too much money) -£300,000 debt
England’s population steadily rising since 1500. London growing rapidly
Export of wool cloth to Europe was very important although it declined
Merchant explored Asia and America (change in farming practices)
Elizabethan society dominated by small,land owning aristocracy of nobility and gentry (old-fashioned tax system resulted in the poor to pay high taxes whereas nobility and gentry payed less) - Elizabeth reluctant to change it feared it would upset her support.
Poverty became a major problem within Elizabethan England (inflation) due to the crown reducing silver and gold content of coins.
Elizabeth timeline 1558-1588
1558- Elizabeth aueen
1559- religious settlements
1563-Statue of Artficers ensured poor relief collected
1566- Dutch revolt
1567- sea beggars
1568- MQOS fled and Geneose loan
1569- Revolt of Northern Earls
1570- Pope exocommunciated Elizabeth
1571- ridolfi plot
1572- vagabonds act
1576- poor relief act , spanish fury and pacification of Ghent
1577- drake started circumnavigation
1580 - drake knighted
1583- Throckmorton plot
1584 Treaty of Joinville
1585- Treaty of Nonsuch, English colony of Virginia
1586- Babington, colony abandoned
1587- MQOS executed, attack at Cadiz harbour, Roanoke colonisation
1588, Armada attacked
What was the Privy Council
Group of around 20 of the Queen’s must trusted councellors who gave advise to her decisions.
Why was parliament created and what was it
House of Lords (noblemen and bishops)
House of commons (very few people can vote)
The Queen needed the Parliament to pass new laws or raise taxes when summoned. Elizabeth relied on the nobility and gentry to enforce law and order throughout the country e.g extraordiwnry taxation
What are local governments and what did they do
Local governments posts like Justice of Peace and sherrif were unpaid, but many volunteered to increase local power and influence. They ensured law, provided for the poor and maintained road/bridges
What was patronage how did Elizabeth use it
Elizabeth used patrinage to ensure support of the nobility and gentry.
This involved handing out titles and offices which gave the holder income. As a result she ensured politicsl stability by widely distributing it
Challenges from abroad
Abroad:
England was weak compared to other countries (France and Spain= most powerful and were both Roman Catholic) - Elizabeth wanted to end the war with France due to fear of invasion (peace agreed 1564- Treaty of Troyes)
Many Catholics saw Mary Queen of Scots as the legitimate monarch. Mary was half French and therefore had a lot of support in France
Scotland was controlled by the French although this was unpopular . MQOS married the heir to the French throne and claimed legitmacy for the English throne (threat of invasion).
Late 1550 Scottish protestants , led by preacher John Knox rebelled against French rule during 1560 supported by England. He French were defeated along with the execution of Mary in 1587 (increased threat of invasion further)
Why were catholic belief challanged by Protestant reformers
Protestant reformers believed Christians were saved by christ and not good deeds
Questioned authority of Pope
Translated Bible from Latin into other lanaguages
Believed the church should be plain and simple not highly decorated
Religious changes since 1530
Henry VIII:
Wanted to divorce/remarry so he created Church of England. However, did not try to reform England or change its belief.
Edward VI:
Supporter of Protestantism and tried to reform the English church. Decorations removed and priest wore elaborate catholic vestments. Service held in English.
Mary I:
Devour catholic. She retired the Pope as head of the English church and establish catholic belief and practices. Protestants were harshly executed (280)
Elizabeth I:
Raised as protestant. She wanted to end religious changes of the last 30 years by creating a stable and lasting religious settlement
What are Lord lieutenants
Noblemen appointed by givernment, who governed English counties and raised local militia (Army of ordinary poeple)
What does the court do
Group of noblemen who acts as the monarch’s advisors and friends. They advise the monarch and help display their power and status.
What was the social hierarchy within the countryside
Nobility- major landowners; lord,dukes and earls
The gentry- owned small estates
The yeoman farmers- owned small plots of land
Tenant farmers- rented land from yeoman farmers and gentry
Landless and labouring poor- did not own or rent land, work or provide labour
Homeless and vagrantsx moved from place to place for work
What was the socisl hierarchy within the towns
Merchants- traders who were very wealthy
Professionals- lawyers, doctors and clergymen
Business owners- high skilled craftsmen, silversmiths, glovers, carpenters etc
Craftsmen- skilled enployees and apprentices
Unskilled labourers and unemployed- no regular work to provide for themselves or others
What was Elizabethan society like
Force to owe repect and obedience to those above you and had a duty to support those below you. Landowners ran estates to support tenants during harships.
Additionslly, fathers were head of the household whereas the wife and childrem were expected to be obedient to him.
How could the monarch raise money
Rents and income from owned crown lands
Taxes from trades (custom duties)
Special addition taxes (subsidies) agreed by parliament
Profits of justice (fines, property or land of those who are convicted of crimes)
Loans (forced)
What did Elizabeth do to solve her finanical problem in 1558
Hoarded her income and cut her expenses household by half
She sold Crowns lands, raising £120,000
By 1574 the crown was out of debt
How did Elizabeth deal with challenges abroad (France 1564) and Scotland)
Elizabeth signed the Peaces of Tryes (1564) which recognised French claim of Calais in order to avoid war with France
Elizabeth was able to deal with the threat posed by Scotland by imprisoning MQOS
Why was religion important in Elizabthen England
Guided morals/behaviour and understanding of the world (birth/death date)
Reduced time in purgatory and established place in heaven
Religious festivals such as Lammas Day marked agricultural year
Catholic beliefs of the church
Pope head of church
Church meeting point between God and people
During Mass bread and wine become actual body and blood of christ
7 sacraments
Puritan beliefs of church
No pope, cardinals or bishops
Direct relationship with God via prayer/bible
Bread and wine is symbolism
2 sacraments
Protestant beliefs of church
No pope
Direct relationship with God via prayer/bible
Bread and wine is symbolism
2 sacraments
Catholic practices in the church
Services in Latin
Priest wear vestments
Churches highly decorated
Protestant/puritan practices in the church
Service in English
Simple vestments worn
Plain and simple churches
Role of parish clergy in village life
Clergymen was a major figure in the community and conducted many sacraments
He offered spiritual and practical advice to people
Funded by taxes to carry on work of following Elizabeth!’s religious settlement
Role of parish clergy in town life
Parish churches in town had to accomodate for the wider range of beliefs
Role or clergy varied between towns. However, all had to follow the Book of Common Prayer despite beliefs
Poverty,vagrancy and diseases were problems they had to deal with
The extent of catholic threat 1566
1/3 of nobility ans gentry recusants (catholic were practice religion in secret)
Catholic nobility from powerful families disliked Elizabeth and her Protestant upstarts (Sir William Cecil) as they prospered under Mary Tudor
Nobility in North were very influential and enjoyed independence from the crown
The Pope urged catholics to not attend church- this was not a great success as many people were frightned of punishment.
Why were the Northern Earl unhappy
Northern nobles were commited catholic and wanted to restore cstholicism in England. The arrival of MQOS in 1568 gave them hope
Elizabeth had taken land from the Earl of Northumberland and shared them with protestants along with claiming profits from copper mines.
Elizabeth reduced power of nobles and increased her control in the North through ( Council of the North) governed the region through Southern protestants
Removal of evil protestant councellers e.g Sir William Cecil
Why was the Revolt of the Northern Earls a threat
It posed a major threat to Elizbathe and was a rallying point for English catholics
New of the rebellion spread fear among English protestants about catholic plots and revenge.
1570, Pope Pius exocommunicated Elizabeth made catholic threat more serious as catholics were encouraged to disobey the queen
Why was spain such a threat to Elizabeth
1566 Dutch rebelled against Spanish occupration. Elizbaeth allowed the fleeing Dutch rebels to refuge inside English ports as sea beggars.
Elizbathe supported those who attacked Spanish ships within the channel after Spanish atrocitied against the English (hundred dead in Netherlands)
Genoese loan in 1568. City of Genea lent gold to Spain. However, Elizabeth captured it.
1570 Spanish rule in Netherland was secure. Threat of invasion was more prominent.
Presence of MQOS as a catholic monarch encourage Spanish to plot against Elizabeth
