Mary I - Political/Foreign Policy

Question 1

What caused the Succession Crisis of 1553?

Answer 1

The crisis was caused by the illness and death of Edward VI, who was aged 15, in July 1553.

Question 2

Who did Edward VI and Northumberland wish to avoid as his successor?

Answer 2

They wished to avoid the succession of Princess Mary, the Catholic daughter of Catherine of Aragon.

Question 3

Who did Edward VI name as heirs to the throne in his ‘device’ for succession?

Answer 3

Edward named Lady Jane Grey and her heirs as heirs to the throne.

Question 4

Who was Lady Jane Grey?

Answer 4

Lady Jane Grey was the eldest granddaughter of Henry VIII’s younger sister Mary, a good Protestant, and recently married to Northumberland’s son.

Question 5

What were the legal weaknesses of the conspiracy?

Answer 5

The conspiracy had important legal weaknesses, including that Edward, as a minor, could not make a legal will.

Question 6

What did the Succession Act of 1543 declare?

Answer 6

The Succession Act of 1543 declared that Mary was Edward’s heir if he died childless.

Question 7

What happened when Northumberland failed to capture Mary?

Answer 7

Mary was able to reach her estates in East Anglia and call on loyal gentry to back her.

Question 8

What was the outcome when Northumberland gathered troops against Mary?

Answer 8

Northumberland’s Counsellors backed down in the face of Mary’s popularity.

Question 9

How did Mary’s success in the succession crisis manifest?

Answer 9

Mary’s success was bloodless and showed respect for the law and for Edward’s real heir, despite her known Catholicism.

Question 10

How was the conspiracy viewed in the context of Northumberland’s ambitions?

Answer 10

The conspiracy was seen as a desperate attempt by ambitious Northumberland to cling on to power after Edward’s death.

Question 11

Who was the first female sovereign?

Answer 11

She was the first female sovereign, facing Protestant opposition to female rule, as noted in John Knox’s pamphlet of 1558.

Question 12

What significant personal event affected her before 1553?

Answer 12

She was disfigured by the spectacular divorce of her mother, Catherine of Aragon, by her father, Henry VIII.

Question 13

Why was marriage a concern for her after her accession?

Answer 13

At 37, marriage was seen as dangerous for the realm, with Catholics viewing her as the real sovereign since 1534.

Question 14

What was her situation during Edward VI’s reign?

Answer 14

She spent much of her adult life under house arrest, fearing execution for not conforming to the Edwardian Settlement.

Question 15

What was the significance of marriage for Mary as Queen?

Answer 15

Marriage was vital to provide a Catholic heir but was controversial due to fears of her husband becoming the real ruler.

Question 16

What was Mary’s religious duty as a firm Catholic?

Answer 16

It was her duty to God to change the religious Settlement and bring England back to Papal obedience.

Question 17

What did her accession indicate?

Answer 17

Her accession in preference to Lady Jane Grey indicated God’s special favour towards Mary.

Question 18

What challenges did Mary face upon her accession?

Answer 18

Mary inherited a divided Counsellor situation but soon imposed order.

Question 19

How did Mary handle disagreements among her Counsellors?

Answer 19

Despite inevitable disagreements, Mary imposed her will on her advisers and conducted herself well as the first female sovereign.

Question 20

What were the differing views among Mary’s Councillors regarding religion?

Answer 20

Gardiner and others wanted a swift return to Catholicism, while Paget and others preferred a slower pace with limited persecution.

Question 21

What was the division regarding Mary’s marriage?

Answer 21

Councillors were divided, with Paget favouring a Spanish match and Gardiner supporting Edward Courtenay.

Question 22

What was the general sentiment towards the Spanish Marriage?

Answer 22

Most Councillors were probably against the Spanish Marriage and war against France.

Question 23

How did Mary manage to maintain control despite disagreements?

Answer 23

Mary listened to differing advice but ultimately exercised her sovereign rights, ensuring no serious divisions arose.

Question 24

What was the nature of Mary’s government relations with Parliament?

Answer 24

Mary’s government worked well with Parliament, with no serious opposition over religious changes.

Question 25

What was the most significant opposition in Parliament during Mary’s reign?

Answer 25

Perhaps 25% opposed the First Statute of Repeal in 1553, marking the most significant opposition.

Question 26

What concession did Mary make regarding monastic lands?

Answer 26

Mary conceded on the non-return of monastic lands.

Question 27

What was Gardiner’s attempt in April 1554?

Answer 27

Gardiner attempted to pass an act reviving old heresy laws to gain favour with Mary but was defeated by Paget.

Question 28

What economic cooperation occurred between the Crown and Parliament?

Answer 28

Crown and Parliament cooperated in the economic sphere, passing three acts to preserve town rights.

Question 29

What improvements were made to town defenses under Mary?

Answer 29

The Militia Act and Arms Act (1558) improved town defenses.

Question 30

How did corporate status for towns change under Mary?

Answer 30

More towns received corporate status, averaging 4 towns per year, e.g., High Wycombe.

Question 31

What major financial reforms occurred under Mary?

Answer 31

Revenue courts were reformed as a result of the 1552 Commission report.

This shows continuity in government between Edward and Mary.

Question 32

What significant annexation did Paulet make in 1554?

Answer 32

Paulet annexed the Courts of First Fruits and Tenths and of Augmentations to the Exchequer.

These reforms established a financial system that operated until the Civil War of 1642.

Question 33

How did royal revenue from Crown lands change under Mary?

Answer 33

Royal revenue from Crown lands may have increased by £40,000 per annum after a survey ordered by the Privy Council in 1555.

Question 34

What was the impact of the new Book of Rates for Customs introduced in 1558?

Answer 34

Revenue to the crown from customs increased from £29,000 in 1558 to £83,000 in 1559.

Question 35

What was the royal revenue in the early years of Elizabeth?

Answer 35

Royal revenue reached approximately £265,000 per annum, a major improvement on what Mary had inherited.

Question 36

What plans did Mary’s Counsellors draw up by summer 1557?

Answer 36

They drew up plans for a full recoinage to eliminate the debased coinage in circulation.

Question 37

Why were the recoinage plans not implemented?

Answer 37

The plans failed due to serious economic and social problems at the time.

Question 38

When was the Marian plan for recoinage successfully adopted?

Answer 38

The Marian plan was adopted and successfully implemented in the early years of Elizabeth’s reign (1560-1).

Question 39

What military reforms did Mary’s government implement?

Answer 39

Mary’s government improved defenses, including significant naval reforms and the rebuilding of fortifications at Berwick.

Question 40

What was the outcome of the Spanish marriage?

Answer 40

The Spanish marriage enhanced England’s standing in Europe and was part of a successful war against France.

Question 41

What were the terms of the marriage treaty regarding Philip’s power?

Answer 41

The terms made it clear that Philip would not be able to wield power in England.

Question 42

What would have happened if a child had been born from the Spanish marriage?

Answer 42

A child would have inherited both the Low Countries and England.

Question 43

What was the outcome of the war against France supported by Philip?

Answer 43

While the war went well for the Earl of Pembroke, the English garrison at Calais was defeated, leading to its fall on January 13th, 1558.

Question 44

What was the significance of the loss of Calais?

Answer 44

The loss of Calais was a humiliating blow for the English government.

Question 45

What did the English force attempt instead of attacking Calais?

Answer 45

The force attempted to take Brest but captured the smaller port of Le Conquet instead.

Question 46

What was the outcome of the expected decisive battle between Henry II and Philip II?

Answer 46

Both men preferred to negotiate a settlement, and the death of Mary in November 1558 took England out of the equation.