the reign of queen elizabeth

Question 1

who was queen elizabeth biologically?

Answer 1

-daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife Anne Boleyn
- She became queen at 25 after the death of her brother Edward VI and sister Mary I

Question 2

what was elizabeths role

Answer 2

• she was sovereign of England so she had upmost authority, compared to monarchy today.
  -she surrounded herself with loyal group of advisers (the Privy Council) to guide her
  -controlled Parliament and
  set the agenda of what it discussed and passed laws about
  (but during her reign Parliament became more influential and was in conflict with Elizabeth over issues e.g. religion, marriage)

Question 3

give a brief overview of what religion was like during the elizabethan period

Answer 3

-16th century= England was divided by religion because it was Roman Catholic country for around a thousand years until Henry VIII’s reign which caused tension and divisions
-when elizabeth came to the throne she changed official religion to protestantism but there was a settlement which let catholic practices continue(passed act of uniformity and supremacy)

Question 4

why was elizabeth’s reign seen as the golden age for culture

Answer 4

theatre becoming popular across all of society. It was in the latter years of her reign, from the 1590s, Shakespeare wrote many of his plays

Question 5

what foreign countries did elizabeth face challenges from

Answer 5

• France and Spain =more power + wealth,+ Catholic
  -France big threat due to strong links with Mary, Queen of Scots -(many wanted MQS on throne because she was seen as more suitable because she was catholic)
  -Spain turned out to be bigger threat. During Elizabeth’s reign, tensions built between two countries in the Spanish Armada in 1588 – Spain’s failed attempt to invade England and overthrow Elizabeth. England’s victory over Spain was a highpoint for Elizabeth and she seized on the propaganda opportunity to boost her image and international status