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
Charles Neville, Earl of Westmorland
- From an important Catholic family in north-England
Thomas Howard , Duke of Norfolk
- Englands most senior nobles and protestant
- Disliked newcomers as he cam from an ancient noble family
- Later urged the Earls to call off the rebellion
Why was Mary, Queen of Scots involved in the Revolt of the northern Earls
- Supported the plan as she could possibly take the English throne
One way Elizabeth lessened the influence of Catholicism in the North
Appointed James Pilkington, a committed protestant, as archbishop of Durham in 1561 - however his efforts to impose protestantism were very unsuccessful
Why did the fact that Elizabeth hadn’t married pose a threat
If she was to die before an heir to the throne, England could be thrown into confusion - possibly even a civil war.
Why did some Earl’s begin to oppose the plan of the revolt of the northern earls
- The marriage of members of the nobility required the queens consent
- The succession was the matter of the royal prerogative
- Mary had received word that the Spanish troops were to get involved
What triggered the excommunication of Elizabeth I
The failed revolt of the Northern Earls led top the pope issuing a papal bull
How did Elizabeth fight off the revolt of the northern earls
She raised an army of 14,000 men
450 rebels were executed
Northumberland was captured and executed
Why did Liz not want to execute Mary Queen of Scots even after the revolt of the northern earls
- She didn’t want to legitimise going against the divine right
- It could be provocative for Catholics in England
Significance of the revolt of the northern earls
- First and most serious act against Liz
- Treason laws became harsher and the definition of treason was widened
- Prompted harsher treatments of catholics
- Excommunication of Liz
What was the significance of the papal bull of 1570
Marked a turning point for catholics as their loyalty to Liz was in doubt
Loyalty to both Catholics spiritual leader and political leader was no longer possible.
When was the Ridolfi plot
1571
What was the plan of the Ridolfi plot
Arranged a plot to murder Elizabeth, launch a Spanish invasion and put Mary, Queen of Scots, on the throne.
Phillip told Alba to arrange 10,000 men to send to England if necessary
Who was involved in the Ridolfi plot
- Phillip II
- Pope (knew and approved)
- Duke of Norfolk
- Roberto Ridolfi
What were the serious threats of the Ridolfi plot
- International dimension
- Phillip II had lots of troops and Pope and lots of impact
- Managed to gain some support
- Walsingham’s spy network was not completely developed
- Ridolfi had lots of wealth
What were the less serious threats of the Ridolfi plot
- It was indiscreet which made it easy for Elizabeth’s spy network to find out about
Significance of the Ridolfi plot
- Made England aware of the possibility of a Spanish invasion
- worsened relations with Spain and focused on improving relations with France
- Reinforced the threat of invasions as it was just after the papal bull
What 2 laws were passed against Catholics in 1581
- Recusants would be fined £20
- Attempting to convert people to Catholicism was now treason
When was the Throckmorton Plot
1583
Plan of the Throckmorton plot
French Duke of Guise to invade England, free Mary and overthrow Elizabeth to restore Catholicism.
Who was involved in the Throckmorton plot
- Francis Throckmorton
- Duke of Guise
- Phillip II
- Pope (knew about it)
What were the serious threats of the Throckmorton plot
- Brought both France and Spain together
- It was a well planned plot with extensive information
What were the not so serious threats of the Throckmorton plot
- Elizabeth’s spy network was preventative - infiltrated by the network
- Was known about in the early stages of planning
- Was placed under surveillance
- Throckmorton was executed very quickly
Significance of Throckmorton plot
- Accentuated concerns about Catholic loyalty and laws against Catholics were again tightened up
- Led to the Bond of Association which called on Englishmen to seek out and report anyone they thought was guilty for plotting against Elizabeth
When was the Babington plot
1586
What was the plan of the Babington plot
The Duke of Guise would invade England with 60,000 men and put mary on the throne
People involved in the Babington plot
- Phillip II knew and gave his support
- Duke of Guise
- Thomas Babington
- Pope knew
- Mary Queen of Scots was in direct contact with Babington
How did Elizabeth find out about Mary Queen of Scots involvement in the Babington plot
Letters were intercepted by Walsingham’s spy network and Babington was arrested along with other catholic conspirators
When was Mary Queen of Scots executed
8 February 1587
Significance of the Babington plot
Took place against the backdrop of worsening relationship with Spain
Elizabeth’s government were determined to suppress Catholicism so 31 priests were executed and over 300 recusants arrested.
Why was Mary Queen of Scots executed when she was
1585:the Act for the preservation of the Queen’s safety stated that, in the event of Elizabeth’s assassination, Mary Queen of Scots was to be barred from the succession.
The evidence gathered by Walsingham against Mary was enough to ensure her trial and conviction in October 1596 under the act.
It was clear that Phillip II was planning a major attack against England
When did Liz sign Mary Queen of Scots death warrant
February 1587 - reluctantly
Significance of Mary Queen of Scots execution
- Removed an important threat to Elizabeth
- The execution of Mary gave Phillip II another reason to remove Mary from the English throne
Extent of Walsingham’s
- Walsingham had a range of spies and informants in every country and important town
- Used ciphers in written communication to hide his plans to catch those plotting against Elizabeth
- Used agents provocateurs to plot and discover traitors
What type of people were Walsingham’s spies
Some were specially trained agents, but most were ordinary people who were paid for useful information
Elizabeth’s foreign policy aims
- Develop and improve trade to benefit the english economy
- Protect England’s borders
- Protect the throne
- Avoid war which would cost a lot of money and could potentially lead to her being overthrown.
How did English merchants face problems in developing trade
- Spain controlled the Netherlands, England’s main route into European markets. Antwerp was particularly important to English trade in the Netherlands
- Spain controlled much of the New World where there were valuable, ew trading opportunities
- Anyone who wanted to train in the new world needed a license from Spain.
Profits to be made in the new world
Valuable crops such as tobacco and sugar canes and huge supplies of silver
Who was Francis Drake
- English merchant who made his name and fortune trading in the New world
When did Elizabeth higher Drake as her privateer
In 1572 she hired him as her privateer. He went to panama where he captured £40,000 of Spanish silver.
Why was Elizabeth’s decision to back Drake risky
Could have provoked further conflict with Spain. When Phillip and Liz were trying to improve Anglo-Spanish relations, Phillip was angry at what he saw as English piracy so Liz did not publicly welcome Drake home
When did Drake set off for the new world
1577
What was Elizabeth’s plan for Drake when he set off for the New world
For Drake to bring back gold, silver, spices and any other valuables back to London
She also issued Drake with a secret order to attack Spain’s colonies in the New World
By 1977 how were Anglo-Spanish relations
They had worsened and there were more fears of Spanish invasion.
What did Elizabeth do to fight the threat of a Spanish invasion
She wanted to enrich England and disrupt Spain’s valuable trade with it’s colonies. It could also send a message of defiance to Phillip II as she would not allow England to be dominated by Spain.
Why did Drake’s 1577-80 voyage become famous
His actual route home led him to circumnavigate the globe. He was the first Englishman to do so which was a major achievement as long sea voyages were exceptionally dangerous.
When Drake returned to England in 1580, how much treasure did he bring
£400,000 of Spanish treasure although some of this had gone to the investor who had funded the voyage, it brought a great sum to the English Crown.
Outcome of Drake’s voyage
- Drake was knighted by Liz
- Phillip II was outraged by the public display as he saw Francis Drake as a pirate
Significance of Drake’s actions
- Drake’s actions against Spain made it clear that England did not accept Spain’s domination of the America’s
- Drake’s success gave England a national hero
- Boosted the Crown’s finance
- Liz’s public knighting of Drake also sent a strong message of defiance to Spain
What were the sources of conflict in Europe
More territory meaning more wealth and power, religion
How did Elizabeth apply pressure to Spain during the Dutch revolt
- Indirectly helping the Dutch Protestants to resist the Spanish
- By allowing Spanish shipping and colonies to come under attack from English privateers
- By pursuing friendly relations with France
- By encouraging others to fight the Spanish in the Netherlands
How did Liz encourage others to fight the Spanish in the Netherlands
She offered the promise of a marriage alliance with the heir to the French throne. She hoped to alarm Spain to give their the Dutch their independence back. When they didn’t she used her influence on the Duke of Alencon to encourage to fight the Spanish in the Netherlands
Why was encouraging the French to fight Spain in the Netherlands a risky idea
She didn’t want France to take control of the Dutch either
How did Phillip make sure that the Dutch were loyal to the Catholic faith
He reorganised the Dutch government and those who resisted the catholic faith were tortured or burnt alive.
Genoese Loan
A Spanish ship attempting to hide from the Dutch sea beggars took refuge in England., It had gold coming from Genoa in Italy. Elizabeth stole it and angered the Spanish.
Why were Spanish troops in the Netherlands unhappy
Due to Drake stealing their gold the Spanish troops in the Netherlands were unpaid.
Spanish Fury
As a result of being unpaid, the Spanish troops in the Netherlands mutinied and rampaged through Dutch provinces.
When did the Spanish troops sack Antwerp
In November 1576.
What did the Pacification of Ghent demand
- All Spanish troops were to be expelled from the Netherlands
- The restoration of political autonomy
- An end to religious persecution
Result of Spanish Fury
United Dutch Catholics ands Protestant together against Spain.
How much money did Liz send to Dutch rebels
£100,000
When did Phillip II’s brother arrive in the Netherlands and what did he do
Don Juan arrived in 1577 to sign the Pacification of Ghent. he agreed to all the terms of the 17 united provinces.
How long after the Pacification of Ghent did Phillip send troops to Netherlands
6 months later
How did Elizabeth react to the retake of the Netherlands
She hired a mercenary to raise volunteers to help the Dutch fight the Spanish
Significance of it being volunteers leading the mercenary
Meant that Elizabeth was not officially sending an English army to fight the Spanish in her name. Spain and England were therefore not officially at war.
How did Liz’s mercenary backfire
Casimir’s forces destroyed Catholic churches and persuaded Dutch catholics to make peace with Apain.
Who signed the Treaty of Joinville
The French King and Phillip
What did the Treaty of Joinville mean
Secured the King’s help against the French protestants
What was the Catholic Leagues’ aim
To rid France of Heresy
Significance of the Treaty of Joinville
France and Spain were now allies against protestantism
When did Liz take direct action in the Netherlands
In June 1585
What did the Dutch protestant representatives offer Liz.
Sovereignty of the Netherlands but she refused as it would mean deposing Phillip II
Treaty of Nonsuch
Elizabeth had agreed to intervene directly with the Netherlands on the side of the rebels. England financed an army of 7,400 troops under a commander of her choosing, Robert Dudley, earl of Leister.
Why did Francis Drake get sent to raid Spanish New World settlements in 1585, and what was the outcome.
Liz wanted to disrupt the flow of resources and finances. However rather than deterring Phillip, Drake only angered him. Phillip told the Pope he was going to invade England.
Why was Elizabeth’s intervention in the Netherlands unsuccessful
Elizabeth did not want to take initiative as she was still hoping to negotiate with Spain. Leicester was therefore not given enough money for supplies to mount a large campaign.
Leister and Elizabeth had different aims - Liz wanted to return to how the Netherlands had been governed in 1548 where as Leister wanted to liberate the Netherlands from the Spanish.
How was Elizabeth’s intervention in the Netherlands unsuccessful
- Leister accepted the role of Governor General of the Netherlands on Elizabeth’s behalf, she was furious as it implied she was deposing Phillip II
- English forces only managed to slow down the Duke of Parma’s advances
- England was betrayed by one of their captains who switched to the Spanish along with another Englishman Sir William Stanley who handed over control of some of the forts England had controlled.
Following Liz’s orders how did Drake attack the Spanish Navy
On 19 April 1587 he sailed into Cadiz harbour, Spains most important Atlantic border, and over 3 days destroyed 30 ships. Known as the ‘singeing of the King of Spain’s beard”
What was Drakes aim when attacking the coast of Portugal and
His aim was to capture Spanish treasure ships bringing silver from Spain’s new world.
Phillips strategy in the Armada
Under the command of the Duke of Medina-Sidonia it was ordered to sail along the English Channel to the Netherlands. There it would join up with the Duke of Parma and together they would transport 27,000 troops to Kent and then Parma would march on London, depose Elizabeth and impose a new, Catholic monarch
What forces did Phillip II bring to the Armada
- 130 ships
- 2431 guns
- 30,000 men
Why did Phillip II launch the Spanish Armada due to religion
- Phillip II wanted to get rid of heresy
- The Papacy had wanted Elizabeth I. thrown since excommunicating her in 1570
- The pope promised to forgive the sins of those taking part in the Armada
- Spain and the papacy had backed Catholic plots against Elizabeth I
Why did Phillip II launch the Spanish Armada due to provocation
- Drake’s action in the New World
- Elizabeth I’s support for the Dutch rebels since their rebellion began
Why did Phillip II launch the Spanish Armada due to politics
- Treaty of Joinville 1584
- Treaty of nonsuch 1585
- England would be a useful addition to Phillip II’s empire
Why did Phillip II launch the Spanish Armada due to circumstances
- Spain acquired Portugal in 1580
- Duke of Parma’s success in the Netherlands since 1579
- Elizabeth I’s hesitation indicated England’s weakness compared with Spain
How did the new ship design help England defeat the Spanish Armada
Longterm planning meant that new ships, known as galleons, were built from the early 1570s. They were designed to be easier and faster to manoeuvre.
Difference between Spanish and English ships
The cannons were mounted on smaller gun carriages than Spanish ships.
the decks on English ships had enough space for cannon recoil to be quickly reloaded by men and then pushed back through the gun port.
English ships could fire more cannon balls at the Spaish with more speed
Why did galleons alone not lead to Spain’s defeat
By 1988 England had only 24 of these ships
Who advised Elizabeth that English warships needed to be fast and easily maneuverable
The treasurer of the navy, John Hawkins, had advised Elizabeth years before that English warships needed to be fast and easily maneuverable so they could turn guns on the enemy quicker
How was Spain’s Armada not as supplied as it should of been
- Provisions were stored in barrels of inferior wood
- By the time England had engaged in the Armada it had already been at sea for 10 weeks
- The Armada was low on supplies of the necessary cannonballs and some were of very poor quality
Why was Spain’s Armada not as supplied as it should of been
- Drake’s raid on Cadiz had destroyed so many barrels that new ones had to be made quickly
- Delays in setting sail and bad weather
How did planning and communication issues help the English defeat the Spanish
Phillips plan required Medina-Sidonia to join with Parma, who was to command a fleet from the Netherlands, however this plan was weak.
Why was the plan for Medina-Sidonia to meet Parma weak
- The Duke of Parma did not control any deep sea ports (which were needed by large war ships) in the Netherlands. He therefore had to use lots of small ships which meant it would take 48 hours to load.
- Communications between Medina-Sidonia and Palma had to go by sea and were therefore unreliable. It took a week for word to reach Palma that Medina-Sidonia was in the Channel and by the time he got it it was too late, Medina-Sidonia had to fight without Parma’s ships, which were not ready.
Why was it difficult for Medina-Sidonia’s ships to fight without Parma’s
They were up against faster and more mobile ships with cannons that were easier to load.
Outcome of the Battle of Gravelines
The Armada was defeated and scattered by the winds.
Consequences of the English victory over the Spanish Armada
- Elizabeth addressed her troops at Tilbury, where they still assembled incase of invasion from Parma.
- Victory over the Armada gave Liz great propaganda victory.
- A new portrait was commissioned
- The Queen was the centre of the great parade in London
- A special commemorative medal was struck that said ‘God blew; and they were scattered’ which showed God clearly seemed to favour protestantism and Liz was eager to emphasise this.
When was the Battle of Gravelines
8th August 1588
When did the English open fire and what did they do
They set sail from Plymouth and opened fire on 31 July and captured two ships.
What was England’s tactic
The English fleet generally kept at a safe distance and chased the Armada down the channel
Outcome of the engagement off the Isle of white
the English were able to fire as many as 6 times more cannon balls than the Spanish and from further away. The Earl of Nottingham, a commander of the English fleet, realized the advantage this gave England and decided to conserve cannon balls for the decisive battle
What triggered the battle of Gravelines
On the night of 6th of August, the English sent fireships in amongst the Spanish fleet. Although they did very little actual damage to the Spanish ships, they created havoc by scattering the Armada.
How did the defeat of the Spanish affect the dutch
England had survived an attack from a more powerful foe, and therefore encouraged the Dutch rebels to renew their fight against the Spanish.
How did the Armada affect Spain financially and powerfully
The defeat cost Spain dearly, both financially and in terms of power.
The Armada marked the beginning of a long decline in Spanish fortunes
How was attitudes to education in the Elizabethan era
- There was no national system of schooling
- Education reflected the social hierarchy of the country - most people’s education was limited according to their place in society
- Education was aimed at preparing you for life you might receive
- Only a few percentage of children went to school
New influences on education
- Humanists believed that learning was important in its own right, they didn’t believe that people should just be educated for practical reasons. Protestants believed that people should be able to read. This encouraged more people to become literate.
As business and trade developed a basic education became more important.
Greatest change to education in Elizabethan era
The development of gramma schools ; 42 wsere founded in the 1560s. As a result there was more schools in Elizabethan England than there ever were before.
How did the development of schools provide more education
Previously, the Church provided most of the minimal education available to children
Why were gramma schools set up
They were originally private schools set up for boys considered bright who largely came from well-off families in towns - sons of gentry, professionals ect.
Some lower class boys who showed promise could also attend
What element of learning was focused on
Emphasis on learning large quantities of text, especially Bible passages, many of which focused on teaching moral and matter.
How was discipline maintained in schools
- Outside the classroom 2 boys were made monitors and had to report misbehaviour inside and outside school grounds, including in the streets
Punishments were harsh including exclusion, corporal punishment and expulsion
Alternative curriculum focusing on Merchants and Craftsmen
Focused on more practical academic subjects like English, Writing, Arithmetic and Geography
Why were petty schools set up
They ran in teacher’s homes. For boys whose parents couldn’t afford to send them to boarding school began their education here or in the case of girls, in Dame Schools.
Punishment in petty schools
- Beating for poor behaviour or not doing well in lessons was common
By what time did every town in England have a gramma school
By 1577
Dame schools
Provided a basic education for girls, often run by local women. For mos girls education was focused on the home as they were not expected to support themselves. It was important to know how to preserve food, brew, bake ect.
Education for labourers and poor children
- Most Elizabethan children had no form of education as the majority of the population were farmers or labourers.
- They learned what they needed from their families from working on the land or in the home
Impact of schools on Elizabethan society
It is estimated that 30% of men and 10% of women were literate by the end of Liz’s reign in 1603, compared with 20% of men and 10% of women in 1530. Showing that there was an improvement in education for boys but not for girls
2 universities in Elizabethan England and who would go there
Oxford ad Cambridge. You would start university at 1 or 15.
What college did Elizabeth found and why
Jesus College in Oxford to educate Welsh boys. She wanted her college to educate more protestant clergymen.
What determined what sports and leisure activities you participated in
Your social class and gender. the wealthier classes had much more opportunities to enjoy leisure pursuits. When it came to taking part in sports there was much more opportunity for men than women.
Sports played by the nobility
- hawking (men and women)
- Fencing (men)
- Real tennis (men)
Football played by craftsmen/ labourers and farmers
- Football - extremely violent (not unknown for men to be killed during matches)
- There were no rules against picking up the ball and running with it, or tripping up the opposing team’s players
- Random pitches
Baiting
A bear would be chained to a post and dogs would be unleashed against it.
Bear baiting was so popular in England that special arenas were built in London to house them.
Bull baiting was also popular, most towns had bull rings. As bulls were not expensive or rare the fight was to death, unlike bears.
Why did theatre develop in the Elizabethan era
As a result of protestantism. Some protestants believed that century-old plays were another way of catholic church trying to control the bible. Saints were an important part of the Catholic religion, and the plays kept their memories in the public image. Theatre instead turned to new, non religious plays.
How did secular plays differ to previous catholic inspired plays
They were more exciting as the endings were not already known
Comedies were popular
The demand for theatre rocketed and companies were formed across England
Where were plays peformed
In the courtyards of inns however with so much money to be made, purpose-built theatres began to appear like the red lion and the globe
Sometimes how big were the queues for theatres
2000 people long
Significance of instruments
Many people played instruments.
Instruments were expensive and would be found in noble and upper class households
Bagpipes and fiddles were especially popular with the lower class
Significance of music
Hugely popular
Wealthier families would employ their own musicians to play during meals and feasts though only men could be paid musicians.
The lower class would listen to music at fairs, markets or public occasions
New music was being composed to accompany the new secular plays
Significance of dancing
Was very popular and brung women and men closer
What section of poverty was Elizabethan society most concerned with
Those who were poor enough to need financial help or charity, or who begged or were homeless
Also concerned with itinerants (people who had moved from their home parishes looking for work)
What did a survey of the poor in Norwich in 1570 show
Showed that 40% of the poor counted were under 16 years old.
How did population growth increase poverty in the years 1558 -1588
- Englands population grew by 35% under Elizabeth I - towns and cities in particular grew especially fast
- This meant that the towns needed more food but they didn’t grown any themselves
- Food was grown in the countryside and brought into urban areas for sale.
- Because there were more people to feed the price of food in towns rose
How did wages increase poverty in the years 1558 -1588
Wages did not rise as fast as prices. With more people wanting to work, labour was cheaper. Many landowners cut wages to keep their costs down
Demand for land increased meaning landowners could charge much higher rents. When someone took over a piece of land they also had to pay an entry fee
How did sheep farming increase poverty in the years 1558 -1588
english wool was England’s biggest export and was very profitable (accounted for 81.6% of England’s export)
Sheep farmers had lots of sheep and they needed land to keep them on
Sheep farming took land that had been used for growing crops or it took common land
Some crops were only grown for sheep to eat taking up more land
Sheep farming did not need many workers so unemployment rose again
How did enclosure increase poverty in the years 1558 -1588
Enclosure meant replacing large fields with smaller privately owned ones.
This led to small farms merging and tenant farmers being evicted
Farmers enclosed to stop animals walking across crops. It also meant you could grown one crop in one field making them more likely to grow - new farming techniques
Although arable farming (growing crops) on enclosed land improved farming, there was now less need for labourers to work on land. Unemployment rose again
Common land was often enclosed and no longer free for everyone to use. This stopped subsistence farming where people grew crops there to survive.
How did poverty lead to an increase in vagabondage
Many left the countryside to unsuccessfully look for jobs in the city. The situation was made worse due to an economic recession (England was struggling to make money through trade because of the problems with Spain). these vagabonds lived in terrible shacks and crime was common.
How did the Tudor people respond to the deserving poor
They were given licenses and badges to beg
How did the Tudor people respond to the able bodied poor
Although the Tudor people were sympathetic towards those who were unable to work because of illness or age, those who were fit to work but didn’t were treated more harshly. Vagrants faced severe punishments if they were caught, such as whipping or imprisonment.
What 4 laws did Liz pass to deal with the poor and vagrants
- 1563 Statue of Artificers
- 1572 Vagabonds Act
- 1576 - Poor relief act
Key features of the statue of artificers
- Anyone who refused to pay the poor rates could be imprisoned
- Officials failing to organise poor relief could be fined £20
Key features of Vagabonds Act
- Vagrants whipped and a hole drilled in each ear
- Vagrants imprisoned and/or branded if caught a second time.
- Death penalty if caught a third time
- Towns were responsible for finding work for the poor
Key features of the poor relief act
- Justices of peace provided able bodied poor raw material to make and sell things
- Able bodied to be sent to a special spoor rate funded prison known as the house of correction if they refused to work
Impact of the poor laws
- Poverty still remained a prominent issue throughout Elizabeth’s reign because of the conflict with Spain and the revolt in the Netherlands
- Resembled a recognition of unemployment as a genuine problem - helped the unemployed keep some independence and dignity
How did expanding trade lead Elizabethans to explore?
- England merchants needed to look for more new trading opportunities as conflict with Spain and Netherlands had hit the traditional wool and cloth trade hard.
- It was vital to find new markets and new products to sell
- private investors like Liz and her courtiers, fiunded many of the voyagers of discoivery
How did slavery develop under Elizabeth’s reign
During Elizabeth’s reign English merchants first began to exploit the ancient African slave trade. It eventually developed on a massive transatlantic scale with the new buying or seizing of hundreds of Africans to ship to the new world.
John Hawkins contribution to the slave trade
He was a navigator, a slave trader and the man behind some of the key developments in the English navy that enabled the Armada to be defeated. He first Brough slaves from Africa in 1562, transported them across the Atlantic and sold them to the Spanish columnists
Notable expeditions of John Hawkins
He made three voyages during the 1560s, capturing Africans people and selling them into slavery in Central America to Spanish settlers.
After this he returned to England and designed and built ships for the navy. Elizabeth appointed him as a vice-admiral fighting against the Spanish Armada.
Impact of John Hawkins
Developed a new type of fighting galleon which was faster, lighter and better able to withstand harsh weather conditions than ships in the Spanish fleet.
His innovative designs were important in helping to lead England to victory.
How did new technology facilitate navigation techniques
Navigation was becoming increasingly more precise. By 1584 theEnglish mathematician Thomas Harriot worked out a simpler way of using the Sun to calculate the true sailing direction of a ship. This made voyages safer, more direct and faster.
Making navigations simpler and more accurate was vital for long journeys of discovery. These journeys were sometimes recorded, making it easier for others to follow the routes mapped out.
How did galleons provide better fire power
Galleons had gun decks running the length of the ship. Cannon could therefore fire from the sides as well as the bow and stern. This was important as piracy was common, so ships often had to defend themselves. English and Spanish ships often had to attack each other too
Significance of Drake’s expedition
- England as a great sea-faring nation - Drake’s voyage almost ended in disaster as he set out with 5 ships and, by the time he had reached the Pacific in 1578 he had only one left. The fact they they had suffered such dangerous conditions Drake and his 56 surviving men were only the second crew in history to circumnavigate the world.
How were explorers
