Topic 1 Flashcards
What was nobility
- great landowners
- wealthy
- huge influence
- 50 families
What was gentry
- lesser landowners
- social elite
- owned land
- 10,000
- no other work
What was yeomen
Owned there own land
What were tenant farmers
Rented land from land owners
What were merchants and professionals?
Wealthy merchants then professionals
Eg. Lawyer, doctor
- 30,000 families
What were skilled craftsmen
Skilled employees and trainees
- in guilds on the standard of their trade
What where the landless labourers ans unskilled workers
Could join from bad harvests/illnesses
Eg, leather trade (forced into)
500,000 families
What were the 4 classes
Gentlemen
Middling sort
Yeomen
Fourth sort
Who were in the gentlemen class
Nobility
Lords
Gentry
Who were in the middling sort
Merchants
Master craftsmen
Professionals
Who were in the yeomen class
Owned there own land
Who was un the fourth sort class
Vagrants
Landless labourers
Unskilled workers
Tenants
Evidence to support that Elizabeth was well educated and intelligent
Learnt Greek, latin, french and Italian
Evidence to show that Elizabeth could cope in stressful situations
When Elizabeth was accused of a treason she kept calm when writing to mary
What were the doubts about Elizabeth as queen
Women were viewed as weak
She was seen as illegitimate
She was unmarried and without an heir
Evidence to show that women were viewed as week in the Elizabethan period
- in the 16th century it was believed that woman should be wise and silent, obedient and domestic under authority of men. Physically, intellectually and emotionally inferior to men.
- female rulers were seen as unnatural and a liability.
- thought that they were not strong enough to dispense justice, make harsh decisions, declare war, lead armies, keep powerful nobles under control.
- marys 1 reign seemed to confirm beliefs because she got England into war.
What was Elizabeths response to ‘women were viewed as weak’
Elizabeth couldn’t do anything to immediately solve the problem unless she married immediately and handed power to husband.
Only was to address gender problem would be to prove she was a good ruler as any man and win over critics
Evidance to show that Elizabeth ‘was seen as illegitimate’
E. Farther, Henrys Vlll had made himself head of the english church so he could divorce his first wife and marry Anne Boleyn. (Pope didn’t authorise)
Some catholics didn’t believe e. Had a legitimate claim to the throne as the pope didn’t authorise divorce , some believed that henry and annes marriage wasn’t valid
What was e. Response to ‘illegitimacy’
Little she could do s even marriage and children couldnt change the legitimate of his parents marriage so she needed to win people over.
Evidence to explain the reason that e. Problem of being ‘ unmarried and without an heir’
People expected e. To marry quick and have children to ensure political stability
In the early weeks of her reign E. turned down two potential husbands as she wanted to focus on her immediate problems of war with France and religious settlement
What was e. Response to her problem of being ‘unmarried and without an heir’
Elizabeth decided not to marry .regardless of who she chose to marry it would’ve caused more problems
- English nobleman would’ve been problematic as it would have caused anger and jealousy among other nobles
- yet marrying a foreign suit would be problematic as most were catholic and she didn’t want to anger her Protestant subjects
- later in her reign she said she was married to England
Local government: lords lieutenants?
Chosen by monarch
Nobility and or privy council
Raised, trained local military
Oversaw policies and country defences
Local government: justices of peace (JPs)
Large land owners Kept law and order in their local area Unpaid Reported to privy council Popular job Made sure all social and economic policies happened
Examples of the monarchs power
Punished criminals
Declare war + make peace
Call, dismiss parliament
Reject laws
Limits on the monarchs power
No full time royal army
Had to be advised by leading Nobels
National government: the court
Lived near the monarch Members of nobility - advise - display wealth - influence on monarch
National government: privy council
20 trusted councillors Advised and obeyed queen Chosen by monarch Met 3x a week or more - debate current issues - carried out queens orders -oversaw law and order - monitored JPs
Secretary of state
Closest to monarch, advised queen
Sir William Cecil held the position until 1573
National government: parliament
Made of nobility and gentry
Queen needed parliaments consent for new laws or tax raises.
Queen summoned parliament ( tried to avoid)
Used 13x
Who was john hawkins
Naval commander and administrator
Who was the earl of northumberland
Most famous holder are the house of Percy (most powerful Nobel family)
Who was the earl of Westmorland
Title first created in 1367 for Ralph neville
Why did E. have financial problems
E. Inherited £300,000 debt. Edwards V1’s wars with Scotland and Mary 1’s war with France had been very expensive.
Why did e. Need money
1) to pay for all costs or running the country and costs of running royal households
2) money made her powerful, without it she was reliant on others
Where could the monarch get money from
1) rent or sale crown lands
2) fines by judges
3) taxes
4) additional taxes (had to be agreed on by parliament)
Why wasn’t their an easy solution to financial problems
1) rents fixed and couldn’t be increased
2) Mary 1 sold a lot of land to cover her debts wich reduced income from rents further
3) England was suffering high levels of inflation, poor couldnt afford to pay anymore in taxes
4) e. Didn’t want to increase tax for nobility and gentry as she risked losing their support
5) asking parliament to introduce new taxes would give them too much power.
Two reasons why the privy council was important
1) decided on big decisions (war, religion, marriage)
2) responsible for administration (finances, controlling business, foreign ambassadors)
Why was choosing the privy council a problem
If she chose right she would have a loyal team to help her run the country
If she chose wrong she would have alienated some of the most powerful men in the country
Issues Elizabeth had to consider when choosing the privy council
1) chose from power and class or who has most ability
2) choose people who all have same opinions or people with arrange of different views
How were France and Scotland linked
1) the queen of Scotland was married to the french heir
2) both catholic
Why was there a threat of invasion from France In 1558
France was a catholic country and they wanted mqos to be queen of England, so they could have invaded on her behalf.
War with France - why to continue?
- a military victory would get the reign of to a good start
- victory would end danger of invasion from France and Scotland
War with France - why make peace with France?
- nothing to suggest that England could win
What would happen if E. did nothing to tackle poverty
Unpopularity could increase
People living through hardship were more likely to join a rebellion
What was E. response to the war with France
- made her decision quickly
- peace signed with France in January 1559, only 3 months after she became queen.
How great was (the war with France) a problem?
- spent £100,000 on military arms and munitions at the start of her reign on things such as guns, pike-heads, gunpowder.
- restocking the realm’s armouries required taking out massive loans
Why was poverty less of a problem for E.
There were several bad harvests in 1550s, however the harvest in 1558 was very good. This game E. more time. She could only hope for good weather and harvest - which there were and there was no immediate problem
Evidance to show e. Was cautious when appointing her privy council
- thanked all past councilers for there work
_ did not appoint her closest friend (robert dudley - earl of leicester) for another 4 years as it might create jealousies.
Evidance to show that E. privy council was also chosen by men she could trust.
- chose largely from her trusted colleagues, particularly supporters who stood by her through mary’s catholic rule.
How did Elizabeth strengthen the royal finances?
Severely cut back government spending right at the beginning of her reign
Strictly monitored costs of households
Crown lands sold thought 20 years (600,000)
Elizabeth not only paid of Mary’s 1 debts but she also built up a reserve of… how much?
£300,000
What did protestants want as the head of the church
Wanted king or queen as head
With archbishops and bishops to help the monarch
What did catholics want as the head of the church
Keep the pope in rome as head
Structure of cardinals, archbishops, and bishops to help the pope
What did puritains want as the head of the church
Didn’t believe in head or bishops, and wanted committees elected by churchgoers to make rules
What did protestants want as church decoration
Less decorative church
What did catholics want as church decoration
Elaborate and expensive decorations, eg. Stained glass windows, pictures, statues
What did Puritans want as church decoration
Plain and simple (no distractions from worship)
Decorations not based on bible - so not approved by god
What did protestants want as the clergy
Marry
Wear plain gowns
What did puritains want as the clergy
Wear plain back gowns
What did catholics want as the clergy
Not marry
Wear richly decorated robes - called vestments
What did protestants want as the bible and services.
Bible in english (everyone could read)
Bread and wine in communion service remained bread and wine
But were also the body and blood of jesus
What did puritans want as the bible and services
Bible in english
Church services in english
Bread and wine in communion service remained bread and wine
Jesus was spiritual, not physically present
What did catholics want as the bible and services
Bible in latin
Church services with the latin mass
Believed a mirical took place during Mass when the bread and wine were given to people they were turned to the body and blood of Jesus through the power of the priests
Evidence to show that religion was significant in peoples everyday lives
- most people went to church every sunday, most important moments in their lives conducted by the church (marriages)
Evidence to show that following the right religion will be rewarded by God when you die and so is crucial that people follow the religion they believe the right one?
- people prepared to die rather than change there religion under henry vlll, Edward Vl, Mary l.
Over 300 protestants refused to change religion during Mary’s rule. - choice of religion was were there souls went when they died - anyone who followed wrong religion would go to hell
Evidence to show that religion gave hope and support during hard times
Church taught that if people lead a good life they would ensure eternal salvation
Church provided assistance to the poor in times of need as there was no government organised poor relief
Reasons why religious devision was a problem. (5)
- they could weaken the country with conflict or even a civil war
- threat of rebellion
- threat from powerful catholic countries and the pope
- situation in 1558
- compromise would be difficult.
Why did E. want everyone to follow the same religion
To be united as a country
Divisions could lead to civil war
Makes England weak if invaded
Examples of past religious rebellions
Henry Vlll - the pilgrimage of grace
Edward Vl - catholics in penvon and Cornwall rebelled.
Mary l - Wyatt’s rebellion ( rebellion read by sir Thomas Wyatt)
Examples of threat from powerful catholic countries and the pope
France, Spain and Scotland all catholic.
Pope could excommunicate E. (release all her catholic subjects from obeying her)
Pope could call the catholic powers in Europe to lead a religious crusade to overthrow her.
What was the situation in 1588
Mary re-introduced Catholicism
E. Appointed mainly protestant advisers
Many exiles returned home expecting a Protestant country
Why would compromise be difficult
Catholics couldn’t accept a women as head of church
Puritans didn’t want a church that had decorations
Why did E, rule out a Puritan religion
Didn’t want to turn her catholic subjects against her
How did the bishop and clergy respond to the oath?
Only 1 bishop agreed and 27 had to be appointed
Why was there a general acceptance from catholics and protestants
Clear elements in the settlement to please both
Why did E. leave parts of the settlement open to interpretation
So it could satisfy both religions
How did the pope, Spain and France respond to the settlement?
No one took any action against the settlement - gave E. more time to enforce her new laws
What were the priorities for Spain and France at this time?
Spain didn’t want to replace E. at this time as mqos has strong ties with France (spain’s enemy)
France was dealing with protestants rebels.
What were the 3 parts of the religious settlement
The act if supremacy
The acts of uniformity
Royal injunctions
Key features of the religious settlement
Elizabeth not the pope was now head of the church - she did not call herself supreme head of the church of England as henry Vlll and Edwards Vl had done.
Everyone was to attend church on a Sunday and holy days
Bread and wine were offered during services
A Protestant book of common prayer written in English is what is to be used in all church services
each church had a copy of the Bible in English
Priests wear vestmates
priest could marry
all clergy were to teach Royal supremacy ( the monarch was the head of the church)
Some religious images and statues in churches
Stained glass windows, organs, hymns stayed
How was the religious settlement enforced?
- all clergy and royal officials were to swear an oath of allegiance, if refused would be imprisoned . The church of England was responsible for checking the clergy and bishops had taken the oath.
- there was a fine if one shilling for not attending church
- anyone refusing to attend church would be reported to the privy council.
- clergy could not preach without a license from the government
- any clergy refusing to use the book of common prayer would be punished
- church of England would carry out visitations churches to check the clergy had their licenses-and were following the terms of the settlement
Why were puritans opposed to the bishop and queen of supreme court running the church.
- puritans didn’t believe in the head of church
- puritans wanter it to be run by committees elected by churchgoers not bishops
Why were puritans opposed to the catholic appearance of the new church
Puritains wanted a very plain church with no music, no stained glass, no pictures of statues
Why were puritans opposed to some of the wording in the new prayer book
Puritans believed that Jesus in communion services was spiritual not physical
Why were puritans opposed to religious robes (vestments)
Wanted clergy to wear only plain black gowns
Why was there opposition to vestments
Puritans ( some) thought that they shouldn’t-have special clothing at all or plain black
However in catholic faith they were special therefore causing opposition
What was Elizabeths response to the vestment controversy
E. Wanted special vestments
Matthew parker issues further guidelines
Which influential positions did puritans hold increasing the puritan threat
MPs in the house of commons and some members of the queens council
How did the puritans try to persuade Elizabeth to make changes
Pushed for the removal of too catholic things
Campaigned about wearing plain black gowns
Why did E. refuse to agree to puritans wishes
She liked some old catholic ways
The puritans were a minority
Some puritans want to get rid of bishops that would destroy her church power
Why was the puritan opposition not a significant threat
The puritans will never plot to overthrow or help a foreign country to attack E.
Why were some catholic opposed to the religious settlement (latin mass)
The catholic latin mass in favour of new protestant services was unacceptable- without catholic mass they believed they might not go to heaven,
Recusants
Didn’t go to church
How did some catholics oppose the religious settlement
Go to mass in secrete
Not going to church services at all
Why were the catholics not a significant threat
If the catholics were loyal to her she would turn a blind eye
Why was catholic potential threat significant
Foreign catholic dominance surrounded England.
Did Mary q of s return to a catholic or protestant country
Protestant country , yet she was a catholic monarch
How old was Mary q of s when she became a monarch
6 days after her birth in 1542 but her french mother ruled on her behalf
How were mary and E. related
Cousins
Who did mary q of scots marry in 1558
Francis (heir of the french throne)
In France when Henry ll died what happened the Mary
She became queen fo Scotland and France
Why did Mary Qos) marriage to lord Darnley( english) in 1565 anger Elizabeth
Strengthened Mary (Qos) connection to the english throne
Why did Mary (Qos) marriage to lord Darnley anger the Scottish lords
Darnley was catholic yet Scotland is a protestant country with protestant lords
What were the problems in Mary (Qos) marriage to lord darnley
Drunk
Violent
Vicious
Agressive
What happened to darnley in 1567
Murdered
Who was the main suspect to darnleys murder
Earl of bothwell
What was E. reaction to darnleys murder
Horrified - concerned for reputation Encouraged Mary (Qos) to investigate to save reputation
What was rumoured about darnley’s murder
Mary worked with brothwell
Who did mary marry in 1567 and why was it a mistake
Brothwell - confirmed queen involvement in murder
What was the reaction of the protestant Scottish lords to Mary (Qos) marrying brothwell
Imprisoned her in lochlein castle (yet let Brothwell flee)
Took her son away, forced to give up the throne to give to son
What was Elizabeths reaction to marys treatment by the Scottish lords when they found that she married Brothwell
English nobles could see this as an example as the Scottish nobles succeeded
Why did Mary (Qos) flee to England
She believed E. was on her side and would help her
What did Elizabeth do with Mary when she arrived in england
Imprison her
Ordered an enquiry into her role in darnleys murder ( known as the York conference)
As a part of the York conference what did the Scottish parliament present
Casket letters - written by Mary to Brothwell
Why did the failed enquiry into Mary’s involvement in darnley’s murder suit E.
She could keep mary in prison
If she had been found guilty she would have been handed over to Scottish lords and E. would have been supporting nobles to overthrow an anointed monarch
If Mary had been found not guilty she would be under pressure to release Mary who could then raise an army (possibly with french support - take the english throne)
Evidence to show that Elizabeth supported protestants in Scotland
The Protestant laords in Scotland did not like the French catholic influence in their country
so they rebelled against French rule in 1550s
(Lead by John Knox)
then in 1560 Elizabeth sent troops and money to support the rebels this greatly reduce the risk of the French invasion from Scotland but also made it clear that Elizabeth would support Protestant over Catholics
Evidence to show that Elizabeth supported Protestants in France
When a religious Civil War broke out in France in 1562 Elizabeth agreed to help the French Protestants hoping to get Calais back however she failed when the French Protestants made peace with the Catholic Later in 1562.
in 1564 she signed the Treaty of Troyes confirming calais belong to France
once again Elizabeth had supported Protestants over Catholics and had angered Philip the second of Spain
Evidence to show Philip and Elizabeth stop trading with each other
In the 16th century the Netherlands belong to Spain
Philip the second banned the import of English cloth to the Netherlands in 1563 as he believed English merchants were spread Protestants
Elizabeth retaliated by seizing trade with the Netherlands
Evidence to show them that the pope ordered Catholics not to go to church
Although the papacy did not offer any leadership to English Catholics and the opposition to the religious settlement
in 1566 the pope issued an instruction that they should not attend Church of England services
Evidence to show the Spanish Army was now near england
Both Catholics and Protestants in the Netherlands rebelled against Spanish rule leading to the Dutch revolt in 1566
Philip sent an army of 10,000 led by Duke of Alba to crush the revolt
the Dutch revolt increase the Catholic threat because there was now a large Spanish army close to England
Evidence to show that Elizabeth gave seabeggers shelter and anger Philip
Some Dutch rebels fled to the water to attack Spanish ships carrying man and resources
they were known as Seabeggars
in 1567 Elizabeth began allowing shelter in England harbours
once the revolt was crushed by the Spanish in 1568 Thousands of Dutch Protestants fled to England
publicly Elizabeth condemn the action of the Dutch results as she was anxious not to be seen as the Protestant saviour and subsequently anger Philip.
Evidence on Elizabeth Stole Phillips gold (genoese loan)
Spanish ships carrying Gold for albas troops took shelter from the sea beggars in an English port
the gold had been loaned to Philip by bankers in Genoa Italy
Elizabeth took the gold for herself in an events which came known as the Genovese loan this Angered Philip
Why did Mary Queen of Scots coming to England increased the catholic threat
As she was now in England they had more chance of working with her to rebel
