Elizabethan Test Topics Flashcards
Why did Elizabethans participate in cruel sports?
-Bear and bull baiting
-Hawking and falconry
-Fencing
-Football
They had no concept of animal cruelty, enjoyed watching these sports as they were exciting and shocking. Weren’t sensitive to watching animals suffer. Entertaining. Elizabeth enjoyed bear baiting especially. Puritans felt sorry for the animals.
Privy Council
About 20 men appointed by the Queen who met daily to advise her. Send orders to JPs, town council and lords lieutenant. Elizabeth did not always attend the meetings. Powerful, ambitious men so Elizabeth couldn’t allow them to control her.
Sea dogs (privateers)
Purposes of overseas voyages were for wealth (from captured silver and gold), overseas trade (eg. The Muscovy company, the Eastland company), power, defence (strong navy important for Island country), the navy (better skills gained and better ships), colonies (all attempts to gain British settlements overseas failed), European rivalry, fame, personal fortune, Christianity and patronage.
Drake’s voyage around the world purposes
- Wanted revenge for Spanish attack on Hawkin’s fleet in 1568. Planned to attack Spanish settlements where the defences were weak.
- Wanted to capture gold, silver and other riches to become wealthy and make profits.
- As a Puritan, he wanted to cause damage to Spain as it was the most powerful Catholic country worldwide.
- Hoped to find new land to claim for the Queen. This would make England more powerful and provide new opportunities for trade.
Catholic Threat
England was a Roman Catholic country, as were Spain, France and Scotland. Mary Queen of Scots also. However Mary Tudor’s reign had made Catholics unpopular and most lived in North and West England. They were a minority. Mary Scot’s threat: Elizabeth’s heir and cousin, claimed to be rightful Queen, had support in Europe, oldest cousin.
Catholic Threat
- In 1570 the Pope excommunicated Elizabeth from the church and said she wasn’t the rightful Queen, ordering Catholics not to obey her. The following year, Parliament passed a law that made this and heretics illegal.
- In 1569 a serious rebellion broke out in North England. Catholic earls gathered 600 soldiers and wanted to rescue Mary and overthrow Elizabeth. Many didn’t agree with this and 800 rebels were executed.
- In 1571 William Cecil discovered a plot to overthrow Elizabeth, organised by Ridolfi - an Italian banker. Mary, Philip and Pope all involved. Plan for a Spanish army to help Catholics overthrow Elizabeth and make Mary Queen, who would then marry Duke of Norfolk and make England a Catholic country again. Plot failed, and Ridolfi and Spanish Ambassador arrested and expelled from the country.
How Elizabeth dealt with maritime and political affairs
- Didn’t marry so wouldn’t anger Catholics or Protestants. Realised a marriage would end her authority as a Queen in her own right. Avoided confrontation
- Chose a middle way in religion
- Showed her power when ruling
- Female ruler and youngest daughter of Henry
- Well respected by country as a whole
- Supported the navy in defeating the Armada
- Encouraged sea dogs in their angering Catholic countries
- Elizabeth refused to marry Philip, helped the Dutch refugees and refused to be Catholic which all caused the Armada
Threat of Puritans
Puritan beliefs spread quickly during Elizabeth’s reign, especially in London. Some MPs were Puritan, but there were few Puritans in England and Europe. A threat because of their influence in Parliament. Strongly disapproved of theatre and associated it with Ancient Romans who had crucified Jesus and persecuted Christians. Believed theatres were work of the Devil.
Why Elizabeth settled for a middle way in religion
Many Catholic gentry held important positions in Local Government and she didn’t want to provoke negative response so early on. She decided that if the Catholics were loyal to her, she would tolerate them. She thought it was important to unite her country and wanted people to obey her but wouldn’t punish people just because of their religious beliefs. She knew it was impossible to satisfy all her people so wanted a church that most of them could accept.
