Queen, government and religion 1558-69

Question 1

Give one reason why Elizabeth’s gender was a problem.

Answer 1

The belief that women were weak- made England vulnerable to invasion
Concerns over who she would marry- the man would have a lot of power
Mary Tudor (Bloody Mary) was a bad ruler before Elizabeth

Question 2

Why was religion a problem for Elizabeth when she became queen?

Answer 2

England had been through years of religious change and turmoil. The country was still split between Catholics and Protestants.

Question 3

Why was Elizabeth’s legitimacy questioned by some in England?

Answer 3

-Henry VIII had declared Elizabeth illegitimate soon after he executed her mother.
-Catholics do not recognise divorce so believed Henrys VIII’s marriage with Anne Boleyn was not legitimate.

Question 4

From which country did Elizabeth face the most serious threat of invasion when she became queen in 1558?

Answer 4

France

Question 5

Which body had to be consulted if Tudor monarchs wanted more money?

Answer 5

Parliament

Question 6

How many times did Parliament meet during Elizabeth’s 45-year reign?

Answer 6

13

Question 7

What was the name of the body of Elizabeth’s advisers?

Answer 7

The Privy Council

Question 8

How many men sat on the Privy Council?

Answer 8

19

Question 9

What was the name given to the growing middle class?

Answer 9

The gentry. Cecil was a member of the gentry.

Question 10

How much debt did Elizabeth inherit when she became queen?

Answer 10

£300,000

Question 11

What were two of Elizabeth’s aims regarding religion?

Answer 11

1. To heal the division between Protestants and Catholics to avoid Civil War
2. To maximise her personal power by taking as much control over the church as possible

Question 12

Who was Sir Francis Walsingham?

Answer 12

He was a close advisor of Elizabeth and her spymaster.

Question 13

Who was Robert Dudley the Earl of Leicester?

Answer 13

Leading Nobleman, advisor and favourite of Elizabeth.

Question 14

What did Elizabeth do in 1559 to solve the issue of religious division?

Answer 14

The Religious Settlement. Also known as the Middle Way.

Question 15

Name two features of the Act of Supremacy, 1559

Answer 15

-To re-establish the break from Rome
-and an independent Church of England -and all clergy members had to swear an oath of loyalty to Elizabeth.
-Elizabeth was the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. This meant that the Catholics could still recognize the Pope as the head of the Church.
-However, as a compromise with the archbishops and bishops being kept, it was hoped would please Catholics.

Question 16

Name two features of the Act of Uniformity, 1559

Answer 16

Catholic mass was abandoned
the Bible was written in England (to please Protestants).
-Ornaments such as crosses and candles could be placed on the communion table
-Priests had to wear traditional-style Vestments (to please Catholics).
-Clergy were allowed to marry.
-Failure to attend church meant you could be fined.

Question 17

How were the two Acts (Supremacy and Uniformity) viewed at the time?

Answer 17

The majority were happy but Puritans and extreme Catholics thought it gave too much away to ‘the other side’.

Question 18

Geographically, where was Catholicism strongest in England?

Answer 18

North East and North West.

Question 19

What is a Puritan?

Answer 19

An English Protestant that wanted to further simplify the Church of England and remove anything related to Catholicism.

Question 20

What was the impact of the religious settlement on the Clergy?

Answer 20

8,000 priests took the oath of supremacy showing their support for the Acts introduced.
However, only 1 bishop took the oath so 27 new bishops were appointed.

Question 21

Name two features of the Crucifix controversy

Answer 21

Elizabeth wanted crucifixes in churches. Puritans did not like crucifixes.
Several Puritan Bishops threatened to resign, there were not enough replacement bishops so the Queen backed down and removed crucifixes from the church.

Question 22

Name two features of the Vestment controversy

Answer 22

Elizabeth wanted priests to wear special vestments (clothes) but many Puritan priests refused. A special exhibition was held in London to show what vestments they should wear. Of the 110 priests invited 37 refused to attend. They lost their post. Elizabeth won this battle.

Question 23

How did the pope challenge Elizabeth’s Religious Settlement, and what was the impact of this?

Answer 23

He issued a statement in 1566 that Catholics should not attend protestant church services. This had virtually no impact.

Question 24

What proportion of the nobility was Catholic?

Answer 24

1/3

Question 25

Why were some Catholic nobles unhappy with the Religious Settlement?

Answer 25

Elizabeth chose to have protestant advisors so their political power and influence decreased.

Question 26

What is a heretic?

Answer 26

People that didn’t believe in the teachings of a Catholic church.

Question 27

What is a recusant?

Answer 27

Someone who refused to attend Church of England services

Question 28

How did Elizabeth reduce the threat from France?

Answer 28

Elizabeth signed the Treaty of Troyes confirming Calais belonged to France in 1564.

Question 29

Give two reasons why Spain was unhappy with Elizabeth in 1559?

Answer 29

1) Elizabeth had supported protestants in the Netherlands
2) Elizabeth had stolen gold from a Spanish ship
3) Elizabeth had refused to marry him

Question 30

Why was Mary Queen of Scots a threat to Elizabeth in 1568?

Answer 30

1) She was next in line to the thrown. Her grandmother was Margaret Tudor and her great-grandfather was Henry VII. She also had a son, James.
2) She had close links with France through her french mother, first husband (King of France) and a childhood spent in France. The French might also support her claim.
3) She was catholic and had the support of many catholic nobles in England who didn’t believe Elizabeth was a legitimate Queen

Question 31

How did Elizabeth deal with Mary in 1568?

Answer 31

Mary was kept under house arrest.

Question 32

In what year did the Pope introduce a Papal Bull to excommunicate Elizabeth?

Answer 32

1570

Question 33

Why was the Bull in 1570 significant?

Answer 33

Because English Catholics didn’t have to be loyal to Elizabeth.

Question 34

When was the Treason Act?

Answer 34

1571

Question 35

What did the Treason Act state?

Answer 35

Anyone denying Elizabeth’s supremacy and bringing in the Pope’s Bull of Excommunication will be executed.