The situation at the start of Elizabeth’s reign and problems she faced

Question 1

What were the five key problems faced by Elizabeth at the beginning of her reign?

Answer 1

Legitimacy
Marriage
Religion
Foreign powers
Money

Question 2

Legitimacy

Answer 2

Due to the fact that Elizabeth was the daughter of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII after Henry’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon many did not accept Elizabeth’s legitimacy ( especially Catholics). Many thought that Mary Queen of Scots was the legitimate Queen.

Question 3

Marriage

Answer 3

Women were thought to be inferior. A Queen ruling by herself was very unusual so many felt that Elizabeth should marry. Being unmarried also made her look weak.

Question 4

Religion

Answer 4

In 1558, England was divided by religion (Protestant and Catholic).

Question 5

Foreign Powers

Answer 5

England was weak compared to other countries. France and Spain were more powerful and were both Roman Catholic.

Question 6

Money

Answer 6

England had fought in costly wars before Elizabeth became Queen. They were £300,000 in debt when she took the throne.

Question 7

The Problem of Mary Queen of Scots

Answer 7

Many Catholics saw Mary Queen of Scots (MQOS) as the legitimate monarch ( she had a direct link to the throne. Mary arrived in England in 1568 after she was kicked out of Scotland after the suspicious death of her husband

Question 8

How did Elizabeth deal with MQOS early on?

Answer 8

She did not want to hand her over to the Scottish lords but also did not want her to go abroad so ultimately she decided to keep her in England in captivity

Question 9

How did Elizabeth find a Religious ‘middle way’?

Answer 9

In 1559 Elizabeth created a religious settlement that included an act of Supremacy and an act of uniformity. The idea was to create a protestant church that Catholics could accept by having a Catholic feel within the churches.

Question 10

What was the act of supremacy 1559?

Answer 10

Elizabeth was referred to as the Supreme Governor not “Head” of the church. This
allowed Catholics to continue to call the Pope the head of the Church.

Question 11

What was the act of uniformity 1559?

Answer 11

This made clear what the Church of England was and stood for.
E.g It was protestant
Priests had to wear Catholic style vestments not plain black ones worn by
Protestants