Key Terms

Question 1

Courtiers

Answer 1

We’re usually members of the nobility. Courtiers spent much of their lives with Elizabeth I.

Question 2

Extraordinary taxation

Answer 2

Occasional, additional taxation to pay for unexpected expenses, especially war.

Question 3

Militia

Answer 3

A military force of ordinary people, rather than soldiers, usually raised in an emergency.

Question 4

Divine right

Answer 4

Belief that the monarch’s right to rule cake from God.

Question 5

Patron

Answer 5

Someone who gives encouragement or financial support to an individual or a cause. For example, Elizabeth I was a patron of many explorers during her reign. She funded their voyages and publicly praises their efforts.

Question 6

Crown

Answer 6

With a capital ‘C’, the Crown refers to the monarch and their government.

Question 7

Succession

Answer 7

The issue of who was going to succeed the throne after the existing monarch died.

Question 8

Roman Catholic

Answer 8

The form of Christianity followed throughout the whole of Western Europe until the 16th century. A feature of Roman Catholicism includes allegiance to the pope, the head of the Catholic Church.

Question 9

Queen regent

Answer 9

‘Regnant’ is a Latin word and means ‘reigning’. Elizabeth was a queen regnant because she ruled in her own relight, like her sister, Mary.

Question 10

Mass

Answer 10

Roman Catholic service at which Catholics are given bread and wine. Catholics believe that this involves a miracle: the bread and wine is turned into the body and blood of Christ.

Question 11

The Reformation

Answer 11

A challenge to the teachings and power of the Roman Catholic Church. This movement is said to have begun in Europe in 1517.

Question 12

Intermediary

Answer 12

Someone who acts as a go-between when direct communication is not possible.

Question 13

Last Supper

Answer 13

The last meal that Christ shared with his disciples (followers). Commemorating it is very important to Christians as it is a reminder that Christ sacrificed his life to save humanity.

Question 14

Sacraments

Answer 14

Special church ceremonies.

Question 15

Holy Communion

Answer 15

Another name for mass, often used in Protestant churches.

Question 16

Clergy

Answer 16

Religious leaders, such as bishops and priests.

Question 17

Diocese

Answer 17

An area looked after by a bishop.

Question 18

German states

Answer 18

Germany did not exist in the 16th century. There were, however, many (usually small) states where German was spoken but they were independent of each other. These states formed part of the Holy Roman Empire.

Question 19

Altars

Answer 19

The table in a church where mass is performed.

Question 20

Ecclesiastical

Answer 20

An adjective used to describe things to do with the Church.

Question 21

Royal Supremacy

Answer 21

This is when the monarch is head of the Church.

Question 22

Pilgrimage

Answer 22

A journey to an important religious monument, shrine or place.

Question 23

Saints

Answer 23

A saint is someone who lived an exceptional, holy life. To be made a saint by the Catholic Church, several conditions have to be met, including having lived a good life.

Question 24

Recusants

Answer 24

Catholics who were unwilling to attend church services laid down by the Elizabethan religious settlement.

Question 25

Papacy

Answer 25

The system of Church government ruled by the pope.

Question 26

Heretics

Answer 26

People who have controversial opinions and beliefs at odds with those held by the rest of society, but especially those who deny the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Question 27

Martyr

Answer 27

Someone who is killed for his or her beliefs, especially religious beliefs.

Question 28

Holy Roman Empire

Answer 28

A large grouping of different states and kingdoms covering a large area of central Europe, including much of modern Germany and parts of Poland and Austria. Although each state had its own ruler, the leaders of the seven largest countries elected a Holy Roman Emperor.

Question 29

Trade embargo

Answer 29

When government ban trade with another country.

Question 30

Exocommunicated

Answer 30

A very severe punishment, imposed by the pope, expelling people from the Catholic Church.

Question 31

Rome

Answer 31

Capital of Italy- but also used to mean the pope or the Catholic Church.

Question 32

Anointed

Answer 32

During a coronation, Holy oil is applied to the monarch. This is known as ‘anointing’ and is the most important part of the coronation as it is when the person becomes the monarch.

Question 33

Abdicate

Answer 33

A king or queen giving up their throne.

Question 34

Civil war

Answer 34

A war between people of the same country.

Question 35

Conspiracy

Answer 35

A secret plan with the aim of doing something against the law.

Question 36

Papal bull

Answer 36

A written order issued by the pope.

Question 37

Council of the North

Answer 37

The council of the North was used to implement Elizabeth’s laws and authority in the north of England, as it was far from London and Elizabeth’s reach. The North was sometimes unstable and often under threat from Scottish raids. It was therefore necessary to have a Council with special powers that could take action in times of lawlessness and emergency.

Question 38

Hanged, drawn and quartered

Answer 38

A type of punishment used when the accused was found guilty of high treason. The accused would be hanged until near dead, cut open, have their intestines removed, and were finally chopped into four pieces.

Question 39

Cipher

Answer 39

A secret way of writing in code.

Question 40

Agents provocateurs

Answer 40

French term referring to agents who became a part of groups suspected of wrongdoing, and encourage other members to break the law so that potential threats can be identified and arrested.

Question 41

Foreign policy

Answer 41

The aims and objectives that guide a nation’s relations with other states. The general aim is to benefit the nation. Objectives can include: trade, expanding into more territory and/or gaining more economic resources and building alliances. Foreign policy can focus on defending what a country has (a defensive policy) or conquering other lands (an aggressive policy).

Question 42

New world

Answer 42

North and South America. Europeans were only aware of their existence from 1492.

Question 43

Privateer

Answer 43

Historically, individuals (usually merchants or explorers) with their own armed ships that capture for their cargoes, often with the authorisation or support of their government.

Question 44

Circumnavigate

Answer 44

To travel all the way around the world.

Question 45

Autonomy

Answer 45

The right to self-government, so people of one country can manage its own affairs.

Question 46

Sacking

Answer 46

To rob a town or city using violence, causing a lot of damage, usually in wartime.

Question 47

Expeditionary force

Answer 47

An armed force sent to a foreign country to achieve a specific function or objective.

Question 48

Mercenary

Answer 48

A soldier who fights for money rather than a nation or cause.

Question 49

Fireships

Answer 49

Empty ships set on fire and sent in the direction of the enemy to cause damage and confusion.

Question 50

Propaganda

Answer 50

Biased information used to promote a point-of-view.

Question 51

Social mobility

Answer 51

Being able to change your position in society.

Question 52

Apprentice

Answer 52

Someone learning a trade or skill. In Elizabethan times, apprentices were not paid. In fact, it cost money to be an apprentice. Once qualified, skilled craftsmen usually enjoyed a very good standard of living.

Question 53

Rhetoric

Answer 53

The art of public speaking and persuasion.

Question 54

Rural depopulation

Answer 54

When the population of the countryside falls as people move away in search of a better life.

Question 55

Arable farming

Answer 55

Growing crops on farm land.

Question 56

Subsistence farming

Answer 56

Growing just enough to feed the family but not to sell.

Question 57

Vagabonds

Answer 57

Vagabonds, or vagrants, we’re homeless people without jobs, who roamed the countryside begging for money, perhaps stealing or committing other crimes in order to survive.

Question 58

Economic recession

Answer 58

When a fall in demand leads to falling prices and businesses losing money. This can lead to businesses failing and unemployment going up.

Question 59

Quadrant

Answer 59

Similar to an astrolabe, it was used by sailors to help with navigation at sea. It was the shape of a quarter circle.

Question 60

Astrolabe

Answer 60

An instrument used by sailors to help with navigation at sea. It was circular.

Question 61

Colonies

Answer 61

Lands under the control or influence of another country, occupied by settlers from that country.

Question 62

Monopoly

Answer 62

When one person, or company, controls the supply of something. This means they can charge whatever price they like for it.

Question 63

Barter

Answer 63

Exchanging goods for other goods, instead of paying for something outright.