Queen, Government and Religion 1558-1569

Question 1

What proportion of the population lived in the countryside at the start of Elizabeth’s reign?

Answer 1

90%

Question 2

Who was the Secretary of State at the start of Elizabeth’s reign?

Answer 2

William Cecil

Question 3

How much debt was the Crown in when Elizabeth came to the throne?

Answer 3

£300,000

Question 4

Did Elizabeth hold complete power over England?

Answer 4

No. She could not pass laws without parliament’s approval, or raise taxes without their agreement.

Question 5

What is the name given to Elizabeth’s group of closest advisers?

Answer 5

The Privy Council

Question 6

What religion was Elizabeth?

Answer 6

Protestant

Question 7

What religion was most of England when Elizabeth came to power?

Answer 7

Catholic

Question 8

What religion were most bishops and most members of the House of Lords at the start of Elizabeth’s reign?

Answer 8

Catholic

Question 9

What were the key problems facing Elizabeth in 1558?

Answer 9

• Religion
• Illegitimacy
• Money
• Gender
• Marriage and an Heir

Question 10

What were Elizabeth’s key character strengths?

Answer 10

• Charismatic
• Resilient
• Well educated
• Excellent understanding of politics

Question 11

What alliance joined Scotland and France?

Answer 11

The Auld Alliance.

Question 12

Why was the Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis a problem for Elizabeth?

Answer 12

There was pressure for Elizabeth to win back Calais from France, which they had lost under this treaty. To do this she would need a war, which would be very expensive.

Question 13

Why were Spain and France a problem for Elizabeth?

Answer 13

Both were Catholic countries. They were previously at war with one another but this had ended, which meant they had resources available to potentially have a war with England. Spain owned the Protestant Netherlands.

Question 14

When did Elizabeth pass her religious settlement?

Answer 14

1559

Question 15

What were the three parts of the religious settlement?

Answer 15

Act of Supremacy, Act of Uniformity, Royal Injunctions

Question 16

Identify some features of Catholicism.

Answer 16

• The pope is the head of the Church
• Church services and the bible in Latin
• Highly decorated churches and priests in vestments
  You may have others too!

Question 17

Identify some features of Protestantism.

Answer 17

• No pope
• Personal relationship with God. Priests not needed as an intermediary
• Services and the bible in English
• Plain churches and priests in simple robes

Question 18

What were the features of the Act of Supremacy?

Answer 18

Elizabeth became Supreme Governor of the Church of England. All clergy have to swear an oath of loyalty to her.

Question 19

What were the key features of the Act of Uniformity?

Answer 19

Established the appearance of churches and how services would be held. Everyone had to attend church.

Question 20

What were the Royal Injunctions?

Answer 20

Set of instructions to the clergy that reinforced the Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity. Included instructions on how to worship and how services should be conducted.

Question 21

How did Elizabeth enforce her religious settlement?

Answer 21

Through the Ecclesiastical High Commission. Visitations begin in 1559.

Question 22

How many clergy lost their jobs following the first round of visitations?

Answer 22

400

Question 23

What was the aim of Elizabeth’s religious settlement?

Answer 23

To be inclusive and accepted by as many of the country as possible. Eg there was space to interpret the Book of Common Prayer in a way that fitted with personal beliefs.

Question 24

What proportion of the clergy took the oath of loyalty to Elizabeth? How many of these were bishops?

Answer 24

80%. Only one bishop. Rest had to be replaced.

Question 25

How widely accepted was the religious settlement by ordinary people?

Answer 25

Widely accepted. Most peopled attended church services and accepted the settlement, even though they held onto their Catholic beliefs.

Question 26

How did the Puritans challenge the religious settlement?

Answer 26

Crucifix Controversy and the Vestment Controversy

Question 27

What was the Crucifix Controversy, and how did it end?

Answer 27

Puritans angry at having to display the crucifix in churches. Some bishops threatened to resign. She could not replace them, so she backed down.

Question 28

What was the Vestment Controversy, and how did it end?

Answer 28

Puritans were angry about being forced to wear vestments. Elizabeth enforced this and 37 priests resigned.

Question 29

When was the Treaty of Edinburgh signed?

Answer 29

1560

Question 30

When did the pope ban Catholics from attending Church of England services?

Answer 30

1566

Question 31

What proportion of the gentry were recusants?

Answer 31

1/3

Question 32

What is a recusant?

Answer 32

Someone who refuses to attend church

Question 33

What were the consequences of the 1562 religious war in France?

Answer 33

Elizabeth supported the Protestants, who lost. This angered Catholics.

Question 34

When did religious war break out in France?

Answer 34

1562

Question 35

Who was Mary, Queen of Scots?

Answer 35

Elizabeth’s Catholic, Scottish cousin

Question 36

When did Mary Queen of Scots arrive in England?

Answer 36

1568

Question 37

Why did Mary, Queen of Scots come to England?

Answer 37

Following a rebellion by Protestant lords in Scotland, and she abdicated the throne.

Question 38

Why was Mary, Queen of Scots a threat to Elizabeth?

Answer 38

She had no problem with legitimacy and was seen as a good, viable alternative to Elizabeth as queen. Her arrival in England provided English Catholics with a figurehead for a rebellion.