Queen Elizabeth I

Question 1

How did Philip II plan to invade England in 1588?

Answer 1

• An aramada of ships were sent from Spain
• This armada would escort the Duke of Parma’s army across the English Channel
• This army would be suppied with 6000 troops brought to England by the Armada

Question 2

Why was the Spanish Armada a failure?

Answer 2

• Lack of deep water ports in the Netherlands
• Rendezvous with Parma’s army was difficult (communication)
• Superior England commanders/tactics
• Use of fireships
• Geography of England Channel (having to circle around Scotland and Ireland)
• Weather conditions

Question 3

Why was the authority of Elizabeth’s government tested in the last 10 years of her reign?

Answer 3

• Opposition to taxation caused by the war
• Bad harvests/food shortages/plague
• The Earl Of Essex’s rebellion in 1601
• Uncertaintly about succession
• Opposition to monopolies
• Irish rebellion

Question 4

How was Elizabeth able to restore the authority of her government?

Answer 4

• Poverty and vagrancy delt with effectively
• Parliament’s grievance of monopolies addressed
• Her ‘Golden Speech’ to parliament
• Defeat of Essex’s rebellion

Question 5

What was Elizabeth’s legacy to James?

Answer 5

• Given few pensions, titles, gifts etc and so courtiers expected more from James
• No debt but had failed to modernise the finance system
• A ‘middle way’ church
• Spainish war