the rise of the gentry

Question 1

what was the rise of the gentry

Answer 1

• then gentry rose a lot during Elizabeth’s reign
• their status was based purely from their wealth
• the Tudors suspicion of the ‘old’ nobility
  the Tudors deliberately marginalised the the nobles who they saw as a threat, by granting very few new titles and excluding them from government.
• this left a vacuum which the gentry filled and they became very powerful politically.
• many of the key councillors were promoted by Elizabeth including Cecil, Walsingham and Hatton came from the gentry class
• the gentry also dominated the house of commons as they gained their work locally through the JPS

Question 2

what was the problem of marriage and succession

Answer 2

• Elizabeth was 25 when she came to the throne
• she had not married due to her awkward position during her sisters and fathers reigns.
• everyone assumed marriage would by high on her agenda as she became queen
• if she died without an heir the Tudor dynasty would die to

Question 3

what disease did Elizabeth contract and in what year

Answer 3

smallpox in 1562

Question 4

possible suiters for Elizabeth

Answer 4

• sir eric of Sweden
• king Phillip of Spain
• earl of Arundel
• duke of Alencon
• Robert Dudley

Question 5

what was patronage

Answer 5

• showing favouritism by giving particular men important jobs
• she managed this very carefully
• she gave her male courtiers political roles and was equally careful to give key politicians places in court
• the jobs given were highly sought over because they gave prestige and wealth
• it was a highly corrupt system however effective as it made sure everyone totally loyal to her
• also made sure Elizabeth remained at the heart of the political system.

Question 6

describe the Essex rebellion in 1601

Answer 6

• as Elizabeth’s ‘old guard’ disappeared, a new generation of ambitious politicians emerged.
  -the 2 main rivals in the privy council were robert cecil and the earl of essex
• cecil was a hard working person with a heavy workload and essex was a dashing young courtier who caught Elizabeth’s eye.
  -however his actions often angered the queen, he annoyed the queen by getting married in secret.
• when she refused to promote one of his supporters, he lost his temper and insulted the queen and turned his back in anger
• elizabeth then punched essex who almost drew his sword
  -essex was given a chance to redeem himself, he had to defeat a rebellion in ireland however he made a truce instead which angered Elizabeth further.
• the queen promoted Cecil while he was away
• angered by this essex burst into the queens living quarters before she had her wig on or makeup
• he was banned rom the court and placed under house arrest.
  -in 1601 he gathered 300 supporters, he was unsuccessful and his supporters deserted him