The Elizabethan Age (1558-1603) - Elizabethan Government Flashcards
What was Elizabeth’s family inheritance?
Mother Anne Boleyn (2nd wife of her father King Henry VIII). Brother Edward VI (Jane Seymour), Sister Mary I (Catherine of Aragon). Mary & Elizabeth had tense, toxic relationship, they followed different religions. Elizabeth and Edward were childhood friends, the Duke of Northumberland requested that they no longer see or write to each other.
What was the religious situation Elizabeth inherited?
Mary was a strict Catholic, having burned anyone who refused to covert to Catholicism at the stake. England was mainly Catholic but many Protestants were deeply unhappy. Elizabeth had been put in prison by Mary for her alleged role in a 1554 Protestant rebellion.
What was the government that Elizabeth inherited?
It was believed monarchs were chosen by God to rule with a small group of advisors. Occasionally they had meetings in Parliament to approve emergency taxes or or make laws. They also appointed JPs to help them impose law and order. Mary had been in a lot of debt from war with France and monarchs being expected to pay the full cost of governing a country. There was not enough money to pay for a full time army.
What was Elizabeth’s upbringing?
Catherine Park kept an eye out for Elizabeth. Thomas Seymour planned to marry Elizabeth. Elizabeth loved Kat Ashley, her governess, who taught her many subjects. Henry declared Elizabeth illegitimate.
What problems did Henry VIII experience during his reign?
The Reformation led to Catholic and Protestant conflict during Tudor reign.
Fought expensive wars against France, Spain and Scotland.
Increasing levels of poverty and unemployment.
What problems did Edward VI experience during his reign?
Edwards advisors made the Church of England more Protestant.
He was only nine when he came to the throne so his advisors made the important decisions.
What problems did Mary I experience during her reign?
Made religious changes making Catholicism the main religion in England.
She punished and burned at the stake those who did not conform.
Burned Archbishop Cranmer and Protestant Bishops Latimer and Ridley.
Mary refused to proclaim Elizabeth as heir to the throne?
What religion was Edward VI?
Protstant
What was Henry VIII’s relationship like with Elizabeth?
He was disappointed she was a girl and had her mother executed.
Her title of Princess was removed and she was declared illegitimate, aged two, she was banned from court.
She rarely saw him but was proud of him.
At the age of six, Elizabeth went to live with Catherine Parr, Edward and Henry.
What was Edward’s relationship like with Elizabeth?
They were originally close.
They saw each other infrequently and their childhood friendship was lost.
Te Duke of Northumberland ensured that they did not see each other and that Elizabeth’s regular letters never reached Edward.
What was Mary’s relationship like with Elizabeth?
Mary punished Protestants who refused to convert.
Elizabeth was suspected of a role in a Protestant rebellion in 1554.
Mary ordered her arrest and imprisonment.
Released but closely watched.
They were not close and there were forced tensions between the two.
What was Elizabeth’s character like?
Quick temper like her father.
Unwilling to spend money.
Well learned in reading, arts, literature, needlework, dance, archery, music and riding.
Controlled money wisely to balance the nation’s finances.
What was Elizabeth’s appearance like?
Projected an imagery of majesty and power.
Took pride in her appearance.
She painted her face in white powder after scars left by smallpox in 1562.
Teeth turned black in the 1590s and she wore wigs to hide her thinning hair.
Her paintings became less accurate so she could be presented as ageless, powerful, strong, wise and successful.
Elizabeth spent lavishly on her appearance.
What were Elizabeth’s royal portraits?
Image of royal authority - strong, ageless, powerful, wise, successful.
Nobles had her portraits in their houses.
Used as propaganda so we’re not fully accurate.
Showed Elizabeth as extremely beautiful with jewels and adornments.
Showed her pride in her appearance.
What were royal progresses?
Kept a watchful eye on nobles.
Costly, but great privilege to host Queen.
Toured the countryside, staying in the houses of nobles, and received free food, drink and entertainment.
In the Summer months she travelled the country but never the north, south west or Wales.
Propaganda to ensure she was seen by her subjects.
Helped her popularity.
Nobles presented her with expensive gifts.
How did Elizabeth develop her popularity?
Royal progresses
Royal portraits
Appearance
Character
What was the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth like?
Mary’s death was a relief for many, hope that Elizabeth would be more popular.
Designed to be splendid and colourful, lasting several days to show power.
Travelled from Whitehall to the Tower in a ceremonial barge on 12th January 1559.
On 14th January ceremonial, triumphant, coronation procession with musical instruments.
Coronation took place at Westminster Abbey on 15th January.
Crowned and anointed by Catholic Bishop of Carlisle.
Walked to Westminster for a full banquet in full state regalia.
What were Elizabeth’s strengths?
Popular
English parents
Single - keep independence but who is going to inherit throne? Banned Parliament from discussing her marriage = control.
Protestant
What were the problems Elizabeth faced?
Big debt
Government - local and National issues
Female - maternal, not physically strong, not as intellectually strong, weak, not as powerful
Illegitimate - Henry divorced Catherine of Aragon - no male heir - Catholicism doesn’t allow divorce - legitimacy in doubt after divorce - Pope did not accept.
Threats from Catholics - Remove Elizabeth - plot to overthrow.
Marriage - needed to produce an heir and provide foreign links.
Religious conflict - instability between Catholics and Protestants.
What was the symbolism of the Princess portrait?
Bible
Pearls - purity and virginity
Flowers - youth
Papers - means business
Hands - beauty
Produced by Henry VIII
Aimed to get her a husband by presenting her as a pretty, youthful princess
What was the symbolism of the Darnley portrait?
Produces in 1575, aiming to present Elizabeth as someone who would rule for a long time and a young, beautiful, pure Queen shining in the light of God.
Flowers - youth
Pearls - purity
Hands - beauty
Ruff shows God is hinting on her
What was the symbolism of the Pelican portrait?
Produced in 1575, aiming to show Elizabeth as a pure, strong leader, ready to sacrifice e herself for the nation.
Tudor rose
Hands + gloves - beauty
Pearls - purity
Crown - ruler
Pelican - sacrifice
What was the symbolism of the Phoenix portrait?
Produced in 1575 presenting Elizabeth as an ageless ruler under God.
Pearls - purity
Phoenix - God-like
Flowers - youth
Ruff - light of God
Crown + ermine how ruler
