Key topic 1: Queen, government and religion, 1558–69 Flashcards
Elizabethan Government
Elizabethan England in 1558: society and government - what was England like in 1558?
Structure: God, Queen, Nobility, Gentry, Yeoman, peasants.
Society worked on patronage.
Queen; Privy Council; Parliament: House of Lords and The House of Commons
JPs and Sheriffs - local government, tax collection. implement laws etc.
Judiciary: Judges and the Courts
The Church of England: Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
The Virgin Queen - what problems did Elizabeth have on her accession to the thone?
Problem of Legitimacy: legitimacy of her parents marriage: Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII; Divorce from Catherine of Aragon; Execution Anne Boleyn and Henry removed Elizabeth from the succession. Alternative successsor - Mary Queen of Scots.
Gender: Female monarchy seen as being potentially tyrannical and unstable and lacking power: Bloody Mary example. Women don’t have the ability to rule.
Strengths: intelligent, educated, excellent grasp of politics; spoke multiple languages; resourceful.
Weaknesses: vain, stubborn, liked flattery
Challenges at home and abroad in 1558: what challenges did she face?
Problems at home: The Crown was £300,000 in debt. Mary I had sold a lot of lands so there ewas less rental income. The Crown had devalued the coinage. Inflation.
Problems abroad: French threat - war with France.
Spain - wealthy, Catholic nation; Spain and France could unite to fight Protestant England.
Elizabeth supports Dutch Protestants rebelling against Spain.
Mary Queen of Scots and her claim to the throne.
Religious Divisions in England in 1558: what were they?
Protestants: Majority Anglicans: No Pope; Everyone has a personal relationship with God; Bible in English; Plain Churches; Only two sacraments. Mainly in South East.
Puritans: Stricter Protestants - same beliefs but want the Refomation to go further; Very plain Churches - mainly in London and East Anglia.
Catholics: Pope is head of the Church; Priests need to intercede with God; 7 Sacraments; Elizabeth is illegitimate. Majority are in the North and West of England.
Religious Settlement of 1559: what were its features and its impact?
The : of Supremacy: Elizabeth Supreme Governor. All clergy swore an oath to her.
The Act of Uniformity: detailed the appearance of churches, religious services and attendance.
The Book of Common Prayer: how the service should be conducted; clergy had to follow the wording. Could be interpreted.
The Royal Injunctions: set out that crosses and candles and music could be used in services.
What was the role of the Church in Society? Why was the Church important?
Clergy preached Elizabeth’s political message.
Church courts dealt with disputes about moral issues.
Encouraged loyalty to the Crown and preached Divine Right of Kings.
Social role: parish church provided help in hard times. Meeting place and a place for information.
What was the Puritan Challenge to Elizabeth? How extensive was it?
They are thorn in Elizabeth’s side but not dangerous.
Protest about the the Church but support the Queen and the Government.
Government ignored their requests for change.
Active in London and East Anglia - little effect in other parts of the country.
What was the extent of the Catholic Challenge? Nobility, Pope and Foreign Powers
1/3 nobility and many gentry recusants (catholics)
Catholic Nobility felt their influence dwindling
Pope instructed Catholics not to attend Anglican services - gave them a reason to rebel
Catholic’s concentrated in North and West
The Pope excommunicated Elizabeth
France and Spain Catholic powers
The Problem of Mary Queen of Scots: her claim to the throne and her arrival in England; What were relations between Mary and Elizabeth like?
Mary’s claim was legitimate; she was Henry VII’s great grand-grandaughter; she was Elizabeth’s heir; She was a Catholic so Catholics in England would see her an an alternative; Mary had close links with France.
Issue Mary is a a woman and a fellow queen. Second cousins.
