History - Elizabethan Era Flashcards
Why was Elizabethan England often a dangerous place
There was no police force or permanent army - order was relied on a clear social structure
What was someones place in the hierarchy determined by?
By the amount of land you had and whether you owned or rented it
What percentage of Englands population lived or worked in the countryside
90%
Yeomen
Men who owned a small amount of land or estate - lower gentry
Tenant farmers
Farmed rented land, which was usually owned by yeomen or the gentry
Social hierarchy
Nobility
Gentry
Yeomen
Tenant farmers
Landless and labouring poor
Vagrants, homeless
How was hierarchy determined in towns
Often based on wealth and occupation.
Craftsmen
Skilled employees, included apprentices
2 key features of the court
- Mostly made up of members of the nobility
- They were the monarchs key servants, advisers and friends
Role of court
To entertain and advise the monarch
A public display of wealth and power
2 key features of the privy council
Made up of approximately 19 members chosen. y the monarch
Met at least 3 times a week, the meetings were often attended and presided over by the monarch
Role of the privy council
To debate current issues and advise the monarch on government policy
Monitored the proceedings of parliament
Describe Elizabethan society
- Very interconnected
- The Devine right of king legitimised the monarchy
- Status was extremely important
- the monarch was highest source of authority
Status
Your families position over generations - intangible
Divine right theory
Suggests that the Queen was answerable to only God
To criticise the king or queen was close to blasphemy
How did the divine right theory help maintain the Queen’s power
The idea provided a powerful legitimising ideology for the power of the monarch
Made opposition to the monarch difficult
2 key features of parliament
- Could only be called and dismissed by the monarch (weak)
- Parliament have the ability to grant things
Role of parliament
- To grant extraordinary taxation
- Passed laws
Challenges of being an early modern monarch
- At court she had to display her power - present herself well
- Have to manage groups of very influential people
- Need to have control to create a standing army
Key features of the Elizabethan government
- The queen was the most powerful figure in the political system
- Was based on the theory of divine right
- Was not a democratic system
- The privy council was the most important element after the monarch
Patronage
To provide someone with an important job or position
How is patronage used to get support from people
What the queen gave, she could also take away if displeased. Queen was the ultimate patron
Who was Elizabeth’s most important privy councillor
The secretary of state - advised the Queen on matters important to the crown
What was one of the only things that limited Elizabeth’s power
Taxation could only be done with parliaments agreement. Although the queen could issue direct orders, they could not be enforced in England’s law courts. Acts of parliament could be enforced and so any important policies would be presented to parliament for its approval.
Definition of royal prerogative
The areas that only the monarch had the right to decide upon, it was her right to stop parliament discussing any issues she didn’t want them to discuss.
Elements of the royal prerogative
Foreign policy, marriage and the succession.
Problems that Elizabeth faced at the beginning of her reign
Religion
Foreign affairs
Finance
Legitimacy
Marriage and gender
How did legitimacy pose a threat to Elizabeth’s reign
To inherit the throne it was essential that the monarch was legitimate, however Elizabeth’s legitimacy was in doubt as her father had divorced his first wife in order to marry Anne Boleyn, the queens mother. The head of the catholic church refused to grant the divorce between Catherine of Aragon and Henry vIII, leading to the reformation.
Why did catholics not see Elizabeth as the legitimate queen
Committed catholics refused to acknowledge Henry’s divorce because the pope had not agreed to it. Some catholics were even executed for refusing to accept her legitimacy.
How did gender pose a threat for Elizabeth
The christian religion taught that women should be under the authority of men. Women were not considered emotionally. physically or mentally capable of governng.
How did marriage pose a threat for Elizabeth
It was difficult for Elizabeth to marry a suitor
Why did France pose a threat to England
- France was wealthier and had a larger population than England.
- England’s traditional enemy
- France was an ally to England’s other enemy Scotland (known as Auld Alliance)
- There was an added complication - Mary Queen of Scots (Liz cousin) had a strong claim to the throne. She became queen of France in 1559 when her husband became King Francis II.
When did Mary Queen of Scots declare herself legitimate Catholic claimant to the English throne
When Mary I died
Why did Mary Queen of Scots pose a threat
Catholics who had not accepted Elizabeth’s reign could rally to Marry Queen of Scots’ claim to be England’s legitimate, Catholic monarch.
How did Scotland pose a threat to Elizabeth
- Scotland was an independant country
- It’s bordered England was remote and hard to defend
- French troops were stationed in England
Since when had England held the French port of Calais
1347
What was the significance of the return of Calais to France
- Was an important trading post for England
- Meant England had a military base in France
What triggered the return of Calais
In the 1550s England had sided with Spain in a war against the French. In 1559 the conflict ended with the Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis which meant England had to return Calais to France.
How were England left to feel after the loss of Calais
Humiliated so regaining Calais was an important aim for Elizabeth’s foreign policy.
Why was Elizabeth concerned that Spain and France were no longer at war
There was a real possibility that Catholic Spain and France would unite against England and it’s Protestant queen.
What factors meant foreign affairs didn’t pose as serious of a threat
Phillip II does not have the intention to invade England as it isn’t in Spain interest - it was a strategic choice
How did Religion pose a threat to Elizabeth
There was a religious divide between Protestants and catholics
Elizabeth was protestant ruling in a catholic country
There was a great deal of religious conflict spreading through Europe as Roman Catholics and protestants fought to establish their faith as the ‘true religion’.
What factors meant that religion didn’t pose as serious of a threat
- The pope hadn’t called for a Catholic crusade against Elizabeth’s reign which gave Elizabeth more time to deal with the unrest
- Wasn’t a direct threat to her royal authority
How did financial weakness pose a threat to Elizabeth’s reign
- Elizabeth could not do whatever she pleased in terms of Finance
- Elizabeth’s monarch did not have a lot of money due to their previous wars
- Taxes were unpopular and parliament had to agree to them - she did not want to rely on parliament for her income
When Elizabeth took the throne how much was the crown in debt by
£300,000
Why did the reformation begin in Europe
Because a grwoing number of poeple believed that the Roman Catholic Church had become corrupt.
When did the reformation begin
1532
What did the protestants believe
- Believed that the bible should be translated into their own language so that people were able to more easily engage with their religion
- There should be no pope
- Sins can only be forgiven by God
Area less likely to accept protestantism
Lancashire - areas tended to be further from London
What areas tended to be more protestant
- London East, Anglia and the south-east as they had closer links with the Netherlands and the German states where Protestantism had become popular.
Puritans
Radical protestants - wanted to manage their own churches themselves, rather than bishops or pope choosing for them.
Why did the Queen not want to fulfill puritans needs
Under their system, there was no role for the monarch as head of the church.
When was Elizabeth’s religious settlement
1559
Why did Elizabeth introduce her religious settlement
To establish a form of Protestantism that Catholics could accept. She did not want catholics to feel forced to choose between loyalty to their religion and the Queen.
Why did the religious settlement not involve the Puritans
- She didn’t want to turn her catholic subjects against her
- Puritans wanted to develop their own church under their leadership, which would challenge her authority as queen
Key features of the Injunctions
To reinforce the acts of supremacy and Uniformity
- Condemn images and the use of relics
- Report recusants top the local JP
Key features of the act of supremacy
- Reestablished the monarch as head of the church
- All clergy and church officials were to take an oath of loyalty to the queen
Key features of act of uniformity
Established the appearances of the churches and the form of services they held
- specified the use of a single Common Prayer book
- Included two possible wordings for the communion service
Who issued the Injunctions
William Cecil on behalf of the Queen
How were clergy impacted by the religious settlement
- All members of the clergy had to take an oath (8000 priests and less important clergy did so)
Under the uniformity act what was the fine for not turning up for Church on Sunday or other holy days
Had to pay one shilling
How were the clergy a problem for Elizabeth after the religious settlement
Only 1 bishop agreed to take the oath, others stepped down. However this gave Elizabeth the opportunity to appoint 27 new protestant bishops instead, strengthening her authority.
The did some people react to the settlements negatively
In some places Puritans welcomed the new services with violence (smashing statues in catholic churches)
Puritans were upsetting the balance in the church
How did people receive the religious settlement and what helped this
The majority of people accepted it despite most people being catholics. This was helped by the wording of the new Prayer Book as it could be understood to mean different things.
Role of the church of England
- Enforced the religious settlement
- Ran church courts
- Legitimised power to the monarch
- Gave guidance to communities - people turned to it in times of hardship and uncertainty
- Controlled what was preached - priests needed a special licence from the government to preach, Elizabeth could control this
How did churches enforce the settlement
- Visitations and inspections of churches to ensure that everyone took the oath of supremacy
- Visitations would take place every four years
When was the first visitation of churches and what happened
1559 - resulted in up to 400 clergy being dismissed
Why were visitations used in teachers, midwives surgeons ect.
So the church was able to monitor other professions for the government
The crucifix controversy
Puritans thought that crucifixes represented idols however Elizabeth liked them and wanted churches to keep their familiar feel and look. The demand of the crucifix in each church was an element of the settlement, however after the Puritans threatened to resign, the queen backed down as she could not afford to ignore their concerns.
The vestment controversy
What priests wore was an issue for puritans as it suggested that priests were set apart from ordinary people, however in the catholic faith they were special. Elizabeth wanted to the clergy to wear special vestments as set out in the Royal Injunctions. By 1565 it was clear that not all clergy were wearing what the queen wanyed.
Penalties for those who did not conform to the religious settlements
- Fines
- Imprisonments
- Loss of property
- Loss of job
- Loss of life
Why were recusants not looked at too closely
- Liz did not want to create martyrs
- Wanted to maintain the stability of England in her reign
What percentage of nobility were recusants
It is estimated that one third were recusants especially in the north England and tended to come from ancient families
When was the revolt of the Northern Earls
November 1569
What was the reason for the revolt of the northern earl’s
Reasons for rebelling stemmed from a lack of political power and influence however the catholic religion brought many other Northerners to the cause.
The earls and their followers wanted Catholicism restored in England
Was the revolt of the Northern Earl’s succesfull
No - On the 11th of November 1569 the rebels were forced to retreat. The rebellion was successfully put down by royal troops under the leadership of earl of Sussex.
Elizabeth’s reaction to the revolt of the Northern Earl’s
Hundreds of rebels were executed in towns and cities across the north
these public displays of Crown power marked a change in Liz’s relationship with her Catholic subject
Greatest strength of the revolt of the northern earls
- They had money and status
- They had power over people lower down the heirachy and therefore can gain support
- Had wide spread influence
Countries with a growing protestant population
Scotland , France, parts of the holy roman empire, and the Netherlands
What did the Habsburg family want
Determined to limit the spread of protestantism and defend the catholic faith
What did the Habsburg family control
Controlled both the Spanish and Austrian empires and holy roman empire.
Why did Phillip II oppose Elizabeth
He was a strict roman catholic and did not look favourably upon Elizabeth’s support for protestant rebels in Scotland and France.
When did Phillip II ban the import of English cloth to the Netherlands and why
1563 as he believed that English merchants were encouraging the spread of protestantism there.
What triggered the dutch revolt
There had been growing unhappiness in the Netherlands about Spanish interference in Dutch affairs. When Phillip II brought the Spanish Inquisition to the Netherlands the catholics and protestants united against Spain.
When did the dutch revolt first break out
1566
How did Phillip respond to the dutch revolt
Sent an army of 10,000 men and the Duke of Alba to the Netherlands to put down the revolt.
Why was Elizabeth concerned about Albas presences in the Netherlands
- Alba’s large army with its mission against protestantism was within easy striking distance of England
- Liz did not want to become seen as Europe’s leading Protestant monarch as she wished to avoid war and openly condemned the dutch rebels.
Why did Liz want to avoid war
England do not have the resources to take on Spain
What did Elizabeth want to do after the dutch revolt
Harass the Spanish forces to leave and allow the dutch to continue governing themselves
Why did the catholic threat from within England become more serious
Mary Queen of Scots fled to England from Scotland and had a stronger claim to the throne to Elizabeth from the point-of-view of many Catholics.
Revolt of the northern earls could foster support
Why did the Scottish protestant lords rebel against Mary Guise
Because they did not like the French Catholic influence brought to Scotland by Mary Guise.
How did Elizabeth help the rebels in Scottland
Sent money and eventually sent troops too
Why did Elizabeth send help to rebels in scotland
She was worried that with French help Mary Queen of Scotts would take her throne
How did the Scottish rebellion end
With the treaty of Edinburgh in 1560
What did the treaty of Edinburgh say
Said that Mary Queen of Scots would give up her claim to the English throne and Mary returned to Scotland from France
Why did Elizabeth not fulfil Mary Queen of Scots wishes to name her the heir
Because choosing Mary would divide England as she would not be popular with Protestants. Divisions would damage the kingdom and weaken Elizabeth’s position.
When did Mary Queen of Scots arrive in England
1568
How did Elizabeth find out about the revolt of the northern earl’s and what did it confirm
The Earl of Leister told Liz of the plan, it confirmed how dangerous Mary was, even in captivity. She was moved to coventry.
What was the plan involved in the revolt of the northern earls
To marry Mary to the Duke of Norfolk as they were a strong claim to the throne.
Who were the key people involved in the revolt of the Northern earls
Thomas Percy, Earl of Northumberland
Charles Neville, Earl of Westmorland
Thomas Howard , Duke of Norfolk
Mary, Queen of Scots
Thomas Percy, Earl of Northumberland
- Catholic
- Held an important position at court under Mary I but lost influence under Liz as she favoured new protestant gentry
