Queen, Government and Religion Flashcards
what was the importance of the cloth and wool trade?
woollen cloth was England’s main export
what was the role of the monarch?
- 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
what was the role of the Privy Council?
- 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
how did Elizabeth control the Privy Council?
- only 19 members
- appointed councillors with different viewpoints
- used flattery
- used rewards and threats to maintain control
- discussed issues with non-members
who was the House of Lords made up of?
members of the nobility, bishops and clergy
who was the House of Commons made up of?
representatives of common people
what was the role of Parliament?
- introduce new laws through an Act of Parliament
- raise money, as Parliament’s consent was necessary for the collection of taxes
how did Elizabeth control Parliament?
- 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
what was the financial issue of 1558?
- 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
why was Elizabeth considered illegitimate?
- 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
why was gender a problem for Elizabeth?
- 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
what characteristics did Elizabeth have?
- charismatic
- resilient
- well educated
- understood politics
how did she show charisma?
- through confidence, allowing her to win over her subjects and support in parliament
how did she show resilience?
- when she spent time in the tower for treason, she was able to cope with the pressures of being queen
how did she show she was educated?
- she spoke Latin, Greek, French and Italian
how did she show she understood politics?
- she understood her subjects and used patronage effectively
what was the importance of religion?
- it was central to life
- it guided people’s morals and behaviours
- they believed it reduced purgatory
what were Catholic beliefs?
- 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
what were Catholic practices?
- services are in Latin
- priests wear vestments
- Churches are highly decorated
where was Catholic support?
- mainly in the north and west of England
what were Protestant beliefs?
- there is no pope
- only God can forgive sins and religion is personal
- bread and wine only signify Christ
- 2 sacraments
- priests can marry