Queen, Government and Religion Flashcards
(53 cards)
1
Q
what was the importance of the cloth and wool trade?
A
woollen cloth was England’s main export
2
Q
what was the role of the monarch?
A
- make all the decisions but advised by nobles
- led armies in war, but relied on nobles and gentry to provide soldiers
- enforced the law and punished criminals but needed nobles and gentry to keep law and order in each community
3
Q
what was the role of the Privy Council?
A
- a group of powerful noblemen appointed by Elizabeth
- they advised her but did not control her
- small group of 19
- daily meetings
- most powerful part of the machinery of the government
- advised on domestic and foreign issues e.g war, ambassadors, Religious Settlement
4
Q
how did Elizabeth control the Privy Council?
A
- only 19 members
- appointed councillors with different viewpoints
- used flattery
- used rewards and threats to maintain control
- discussed issues with non-members
5
Q
who was the House of Lords made up of?
A
members of the nobility, bishops and clergy
6
Q
who was the House of Commons made up of?
A
representatives of common people
7
Q
what was the role of Parliament?
A
- introduce new laws through an Act of Parliament
- raise money, as Parliament’s consent was necessary for the collection of taxes
8
Q
how did Elizabeth control Parliament?
A
- they only met when Elizabeth called it and under her agenda
- only discussed what Elizabeth allowed
- used it to grant her taxes (her main source of income)
- could close Parliament at any time
- Privy Councillors were also in Parliament to help control proceedings
9
Q
what was the financial issue of 1558?
A
- the Crown was in debt of £300,000, with an annual income of £286,000
- over £100,000 of the debt was owed to foreign moneylenders and high interest rates of 14%
- Mary Tudor had sold off Crown lands to pay for wars with France, so income was falling
- she needed money to remain secure on the throne and reward her supporters
- the value of the currency fell
10
Q
why was Elizabeth considered illegitimate?
A
- she was born out of wedlock
- her father divorced his previous wife but this was not accepted by Catholics
- Catholics believed the divorce never happened and thinks she has no right to the throne
11
Q
why was gender a problem for Elizabeth?
A
- religious teaching taught that women were inferior to men and not capable of leading
- women were expected to marry and obey their husbands (queens are meant to rule)
- the previous queen was not too good so doubts arose about her reign
12
Q
what characteristics did Elizabeth have?
A
- charismatic
- resilient
- well educated
- understood politics
13
Q
how did she show charisma?
A
- through confidence, allowing her to win over her subjects and support in parliament
14
Q
how did she show resilience?
A
- when she spent time in the tower for treason, she was able to cope with the pressures of being queen
15
Q
how did she show she was educated?
A
- she spoke Latin, Greek, French and Italian
16
Q
how did she show she understood politics?
A
- she understood her subjects and used patronage effectively
17
Q
what was the importance of religion?
A
- it was central to life
- it guided people’s morals and behaviours
- they believed it reduced purgatory
18
Q
what were Catholic beliefs?
A
- the pope is the head of the Church
- Church is the intermediary between God and people
- During Mass, bread and wine become Christ
- 7 sacraments
- priests are celibate
19
Q
what were Catholic practices?
A
- services are in Latin
- priests wear vestments
- Churches are highly decorated
20
Q
where was Catholic support?
A
- mainly in the north and west of England
21
Q
what were Protestant beliefs?
A
- there is no pope
- only God can forgive sins and religion is personal
- bread and wine only signify Christ
- 2 sacraments
- priests can marry
21
Q
what were Protestant beliefs?
A
- there is no pope
- only God can forgive sins and religion is personal
22
Q
what were Protestant practices?
A
- priests were simple vestments
- services are in English
- Churches should be plain and simple
23
Q
where was Protestant support?
A
- mainly south-east England (London, Kent, East Anglia)
24
who were Puritans?
- extreme Protestants
- same belief as Protestants
- Churches should be whitewashed
- they were found in London and East Anglia
25
what is the historical religious context?
- the north is Catholic
- Reformation in caused divide
- some Protestants became Puritans
26
when was the Religious Settlement?
- in 1559, a year after coming to the throne
27
what were the aims of the settlement?
- to be accepted by many people
- ease tensions from religious divide
28
what was the impact of the settlement?
- 8000 out of 10,000 clergy accepted it
- many Catholic bishops opposed the settlement and were replaced
- the majority of ordinary people accepted it and attended Church services, while keeping Catholic beliefs
29
what were the Royal Injuctions?
- a set of instructions for clergy to follow:
teach the Royal Supremacy
report recusants
hold a copy of the English Bible
licence to preach
vestments
30
what was the Act of Supremacy?
- England is officially Protestant
- Supreme Governor
- Bishops ran the Church
- all clergy and royal officials swore oath to Elizabeth, if they refused three times they could be executed
31
what was the Act of Uniformity?
- Protestant Prayer Book, clergy took an oath in promise to use it
- Church services and the Bible in English
- bread and wine taken but the meaning was not defined
- some ornaments and decorations were allowed in Church
- priests wore vestments and could marry
- fine for not attending Church but was not fully enforced
32
what was the nature of the Puritan challenge? (crucifix)
- Elizabeth kept a crucifix in the Church, part of Catholicism
- Puritans opposed this and threatened to resign so she backed down as she could not replace them with Protestant clergy
33
what was the nature of the Puritan challenge? (vestments)
- Elizabeth wanted the clergy to wear special vestments (Ro Inj)
- Puritans resented this and after the Book of Advertisements, 37 priests lost their jobs for not conforming
34
what was the extent of the Puritan challenge?
- they were a vocal group and open with their opinions
- they were active in London but not so impactful in the north where the Catholics were
- the government ignored most of their demands, suggesting their support was limited
35
what was the Counter Reformation?
- the attempt to reverse the Protestant Reformation
36
what was the extent of the Catholic threat?
- 1/3 of the nobility and gentry were recusants
- Catholic nobility prospered under Mary Tudor so they resented the loss of their influence and the growth of others (William Cecil)
- nobility in the north were influential and had always enjoyed freedom of action (in a good position for a rebellion)
- the pope gave them instructions, giving them a powerful religious reason to rebel
37
what was Mary Queen of Scots' claim to the throne?
- she was the great-granddaughter of Henry VIII
- catholic
- cousin of Elizabeth
- descended from Mary Tudor
38
why was Mary important?
- she was Catholic, meaning people were prepared to support her
- no concerns about her legitimacy
- this meant Mary would be at the centre of plots and conspiracies against Elizabeth
39
why did MQS escape Scotland?
- there were suspicions that she helped to kill Darnley
- Scottish lords rebelled against her and imprisoned her and made her give up her throne
- she looked to Elizabeth for help
40
what would happen if Elizabeth helped Mary regain her throne?
- anger Scottish nobility
- Elizabeth would have a Catholic monarch on her northern border
- Auld Alliance could be revived
41
what would happen if Elizabeth handed Mary over to the Scottish lords?
- with permission, she could be executed
- France and Spain could come to together and create a war
42
what would happen if Elizabeth allowed Mary to go abroad?
- she could return to France
- provoke a French plot to remove Liz from the throne and be replaced by Mary
43
what would happen if Elizabeth kept Mary in England?
- Catholic plotters could try to overthrow Liz and replace her with Mary
44
why didn't Elizabeth make Mary her heir?
- upsets Protestants and those in her Council
- without the council, Elizabeth would have few supporters
45
what did Elizabeth do for the finance issue in 1558?
- hoarded her income and cut her household expenses
- sold Crown lands raising £120,000
46
what was the French threat?
- they had more wealth and more people
- MQS had strong ties to them
47
what was the Auld Alliance threat?
- French alliance with Scotland threated ENG
48
what was the Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis
- ENG lost Calais which was ENG's last remaining territory on the continent
- lots of pressure for Liz to regain it but she didn't want to risk a war ($$ and danger)
49
how did Elizabeth deal with challenges from abroad?
- imprisoned MQS and made peace with France
- signed French peace treaty
50
what key issues did Elizabeth face in 1558?
- expectance to marry but this would reduce her power
- she was inexperienced and needed support of her Privy Council
- could govern without Parliament consent but laws were passed through them
51
what did Catholics think of the settlement?
- not too happy
- they enjoyed religious freedom before but now had to change or deny their beliefs
- some grudgingly accepted the new regime
52
what was the role of the Church of England?
• provided guidance for communities
• responsible for Church courts
• enforced the Religious Settlement
• legitimised Elizabeth’s rule
• preached the government’s message
