How successful was Mary's government?

Question 1

What did Mary ensure that she had parliamentary support for?

Answer 1

The most important matters of the state: the marriage treaty, the religious settlement and the conduct if the war with France.

Question 2

Who opposed the reversal of the Edwardian religious legislation?

Answer 2

About 80 MPs (a substantial minority)

Question 3

What was the main concern of both the Commons and the Lords?

Answer 3

The issue of the church land acquired by the laity under Henry VIII.

Question 4

What was neither House proceeding in the 3rd parliament?

Answer 4

The bill to reconcile England to Rome without an agreement confirming current ownership of former church land.

Question 5

What bill was defeated in 1555?

Answer 5

A bill allowing the seizure of land owned by Protestant exiles.

Question 6

What did both of the houses working together curtail?

Answer 6

They curtailed the amount of power Phillip II had and in 1555 rejected a bill which would have included Philip in the protective clauses of a proposed new law on treason.

Question 7

What did the houses prevent for Philip and the crown’s proposal?

Answer 7

Prevented Philip’s coronation and rejected the crown’s proposal to bar Elizabeth from the succession in the wake of Wyatt’s rebellion.

Question 8

Why did Mary decide to compromise?

Answer 8

She recognised that parliament was willing to compromise.

Question 9

What are the main things that happened in the 1553 parliament?

Answer 9

• 1st act annulled the divorce of Catherine of Aragon and declared Mary legitimate;
• Abolition of the Edwardian Act of Uniformity (made England a Protestant country);
• End clerical marriage, election of Bishops (Protestant);
• The Queen tried to persuade parliament to restore papal supremacy, or return lands taken from the Church and failed;
  House of Commons petitioned Mary to marry an English man, resulting in conflict.

Question 10

What are the main things that happened in the April 1554 parliament?

Answer 10

• Repealed the attainder of Cardinal Reginald Pole;
• All other religious reforms were to wait until the next parliament.

Question 11

What are the main things that happened in the November 1554 parliament?

Answer 11

• Restoration of papal supremacy - England was returned to Rome;
• Attempts to persuade nobles to return church lands failed;
• Heresy laws were revived with the 1st burnings happened in Feb 1555;
• Question regarding Philip’s status arose when Parliament declined to extend the Treasons Act to Protect him.

Question 12

What are the main things that happened in the 1555 parliament?

Answer 12

• Issue of the coronation of Philip - the House of Lords/Commons refused to see him crowned King of England;
• Parliament also acted against Mary when they refused to vote for the confiscation of the property of Protestant exiles;
• Weavers act - attempt to prevent the development of the textile industry by strict regulations.

Question 13

What are the main things that happened in the 1557 Parliament?

Answer 13

• Onset war with France - money was voted on;
• Arms Act - made provision of arms and equipment more efficient.

Question 14

What are the main events that happened in the 1558 parliament?

Answer 14

• Book of rates - reformed custom duties to reflect the values of the current time - enhanced government revenue;
• Militia Act - existing militia was put under control of Lords Lieutenant who had been put into office by Northumberland.

Question 15

Why was the Royal Authority with Parliament maintained?

Answer 15

The interests of the Crown and MPs were largely the same.

Question 16

Why were positive relationships maintained?

Answer 16

Shared fear of social revolution.

Question 17

What happened after the death of Mary’s Lord Chancellor?

Answer 17

Left a gap in the government which was never filled; by then Pole had distanced himself from secular affairs.

Question 18

What was Mary thrown back onto in the second part of her reign?

Answer 18

The advice of the 2 men she trusted implicitly: her husband, Philip II and the imperial ambassador, Simon Renard.

Question 19

Why was the council criticised (especially by Pollard)?

Answer 19

For being too large and leading to debilitating factional squabbles between Gardiner and Paget.

Question 20

What did Philip encourage after his marriage and before his return to Spain?

Answer 20

The setting up of an inner council of 9 very capable and experienced councillors.

Question 21

Why did Simon Renard Criticise the council?

Answer 21

He was jealous of the power of the English councillors and wanted to maintain his own influence over Mary.

Question 22

What problems were there in relation between Mary and the Privy council?

Answer 22

• She didn’t try to exert any leadership and showed no confidence in her Privy council.
• Often did not consult her Privy Council until she had already decided on matters of policy herself.

Question 23

Why did things improve after 1555?

Answer 23

When Philip II left England and Gardiner died, this allowed Paget to dominate the council.

Question 24

Why was there a continued inflation in Mary’s reign? (4 points)

Answer 24

1. There was continued pressure on demand because of the rapid increase in population;
2. The impact of debasement of the coinage continued;
3. There were harvest failures in 1555 and 1556 which created shortages and strain on real wages for the poor;
4. In 1557 and 1558 the country was hit by the ‘sweating sickness’ and the death toll was devastating.

Question 25

What improvement was made to the financial administration of the country?

Answer 25

Improvement in the organisation of revenue administration.

Question 26

How did Northumberland improve the administration of crown finances?

Answer 26

Set up commission to investigate the short comings of the system. His fall from power meant this wasn’t implemented in Edward’s reign but some was passed in 1554.

Question 27

Why did Sir William Paulet, Lord Treasurer, reorganise the administration of royal income?

Answer 27

So that the Courts of Augmentations and the First Fruits and Tenths were restored to the control of the Court of Exchequer.

Question 28

What was Walter Mildmay’s recommendation’s aim?

Answer 28

To reduce embezzlement and increase control of the revenues from crown lands.

Question 29

Which way of raising money did Mary see as politically risky?

Answer 29

Selling crown lands, offices and monopolies as well as parliamentary subsidies.

Question 30

What book did Mary’s reign see in 1558?

Answer 30

Book of Customs rates

Question 31

What did Mary believe regarding the crown?

Answer 31

• Determined rates to be fixed by the crown alone;
• Believed the crown could impose new duties without parliament’s consent.

Question 32

How was long-term security of crown finances boosted?

Answer 32

By plans for the reminting of the coinage which was drawn up from 1556-1588 but not implemented until Elizabeth’s reign.

Question 33

Who reaped the benefits from reminting the coinage and the new book of customs rates?

Answer 33

Elizabeth.

Question 34

What financial costs came with Mary choosing to remit the final part of Edward’s last subsidy?

Answer 34

She inherited debts of £185,000 which increased to £300,000 due to the involvement with the war with France.

Question 35

How did Mary attempt to balance the books?

Answer 35

Sold crown lands worth £5000 per annum in 1554 and another £8000 per annum in 1557.

Question 36

Why did Mary’s income get reduced?

Answer 36

Her benevolence to the Church reduced her income by £29,000 per annum and restored her land to the Percies, Howards and Nevilles, which reduced it a further £9385 per annum.

Question 37

How did she gain some of this income back?

Answer 37

Gained from attainders against Duke of Northumberland, Sir Thomas Wyatt and various associates which brought in £20,000 per annum and at least £18,000 in cash and plate.

Question 38

Why was it argued that Mary’s financial management come too late to help Mary’s government?

Answer 38

It was Elizabeth not Mary who benefitted from these reforms.

Question 39

What did Mary and Philips marriage mean for England and the Franco-Spanish conflict?

Answer 39

It would be difficult for England to remain neutral, this became further complicated when the anti-Spanish pope renewed the Franco-Spanish conflict.

Question 40

What did Protestant exile Thomas Stafford do?

Answer 40

Sailed from France with French weapons, seized Scarborough castle and proclaimed himself ‘Protector of England’.

Question 41

Why was the English now prepared to take up arms against France?

Answer 41

Good harvest in England and prices were falling which meant England were no longer dependant on the French for grain. They also believed that war would unite a divided ruling class.

Question 42

What 4 operations did the English forces take part in?

Answer 42

1. The Navy cleared the Channel of French shipping;
2. Protected the English fishing fleet and Spanish bullion fleet;
3. A force of 5000 soldiers helped the Spanish capture town of St Quentin;
4. There were able to successfully defend the border against Scottish attack.

Question 43

However, in January 1558 it turned to disaster resulting in the loss of Calais. How did this happen?

Answer 43

The 1600 men garrisoning Calais faced 27000 French troops. They sent to Philip for reinforcement and aid but Philip had none to send. The English were forced to surrender to the French.

Question 44

When was the loss of Calais confirmed?

Answer 44

The Treaty of Cateau Cambresis 1559 signed by Elizabeth.

Question 45

What was the loss of Calais seen as a symbolism for?

Answer 45

The disasters which had befallen the realm in the latter stages of Mary’s reign.