Topic 1 - Queen, government and religion 1558-69

Question 1

Why was Elizabethan society dangerous

Answer 1

There was no police force or a permanent army

Question 2

What was the social hierarchy of Elizabeth based on

Answer 2

How much land someone owned. If you were higher in the hierarchy you were expected to look after those below you, who were expected to show respect to those higher

Question 3

What were the fourth classes in Elizabethan society

Answer 3

Gentlemen - Gentry, lords, nobility
Middling sort - Merchants, professional and master craftsmen
Yeomen - Own their land
Fourth sort - vagrants, landless labourers and unskilled workers

Question 4

Outline the nobility in Elizabethan society

Answer 4

The wealthiest landowners who had huge local influence (Around 50 families)

Question 5

Outline the gentry in Elizabethan society

Answer 5

Owned their own land and lived off of it (less land than nobility)

Question 6

Outline the yeomen in Elizabethan society

Answer 6

Farmers who owned their own land

Question 7

Outline the tenant farmers in Elizabethan society

Answer 7

Farmers who rented land

Question 8

Outline the the landless/labouring poor and the unskilled workers in Elizabethan society

Answer 8

Usually employed as an agricultural worker on a seasonal basis. There was a big divide between rich and poor.

Question 9

Outline the merchants and professionals in Elizabethan society

Answer 9

Merchants -Based on wealth and they often owned a lot of property
Professionals - Lawyers, clergy, doctors, teachers

Question 10

Outline the skilled craftsmen in Elizabethan society

Answer 10

-Could be wealthy business owners or skilled employees
-Organised into guilds

Question 11

Outline towns in Elizabethan society

Answer 11

Population was increasing and towns and cities were growing rapidly though most lived in rural areas

Question 12

Who was head of the Elizabethan government and what power did they have

Answer 12

-The monarch who could declare war and make peace and call/dismiss parliament
-However needed nobles/gentry to keep law and order and provide soldier’s

Question 13

What were Justices of Peace in Elizabethan government

Answer 13

Large landowners who kept law and order. Unpaid but position of status and they reported to the Privy Council. Oversaw social and economic policies

Question 14

Outline Lords Lieutenant in Elizabeth’s government

Answer 14

Chosen by the monarch in each county and they were members of nobility and in Privy Council. In charge of training local military and oversaw enforcement of policies.

Question 15

Outline the court in Elizabeth’s government

Answer 15

Body of people who lived in or near palace as monarch. Made up of nobles and had to entertain and advise monarch, they had influence with the monarch.

Question 16

Outline the Privy Council

Answer 16

-Group of 20 of Queen’s most trusted counsellors who advised her and ensured her wishes carried out
-Met at least 3 times a week
-Most important roles were to debate issues and advise the monarch and oversee law + order

Question 17

Why could QE be considered a good Queen pre her being crowned

Answer 17

-Intelligent - she learned Greek, Latin, French and Italian and her tutor said -“Her mind is free from female weakness”
-Could cope in stressful situations - Wrote to Mary after accused of treason and said she was her ‘most faithful subject’. and she was taken from family + called illegitimate + mother beheaded

Question 18

Why was QE being a women viewed as a weakness

Answer 18

-In the 16th century it was believed women should be domestic and silent wives as they were physically inferior
-Female rulers were seen as a liability (her closest advisor told someone off for discussing things too heavy for a woman)
-Mary I reign confirmed this as she started an unpopular war which showed women weren’t strong enough to be queen

Question 19

What was Elizabeth’s response to the doubts about her being queen due to her being a woman.

Answer 19

She was unable to solve the problem unless she immediately married and handed off her power. Her only choice was to prove herself as a good ruler.

Question 20

Why was QE being viewed as illegitimate a problem

Answer 20

Henry VIII made himself head of C of E to divorce Catherine of Aragon. Some Catholics didn’t believe QE had a claim to the throne as only the pope could authorise a divorce so QE’s parents’ marriage wasn’t valid

Question 21

What was Elizabeth’s response to the problem of her being viewed as illegitimate

Answer 21

Little she could do as even marrying and having children wouldn’t change the validation of her parents marriage. She needed to win people against her ruling due to the illegitimacy over.

Question 22

How was QE being unmarried without an heir a problem for her

Answer 22

People expected she would marry more quickly and have children to be here to the throne. In early weeks of her reign she turned down 2 potential husbands because her and the council were focused on the war w/ France and religious settlement.

Question 23

How did QE respond to the problem of her her being unmarried without an heir

Answer 23

-She decided not to marry as whoever she would have married would have been a problem as marrying an English nobleman would have caused anger/jealousy between nobles
-Marrying a foreign suitor would have been problematic as most were catholic and she couldn’t anger her Protestant subjects
-Later in her reign she presented herself as the ‘virgin queen’ married to England.

Question 24

Why was QE facing financial weakness in 1558

Answer 24

She inherited a £300,000 debt. Edward VI’s wars with Scotland and Mary I’s war with France had been expensive and the annual income of the crown in 1558 was just over £285,000

Question 25

Why was financial weakness a problem for QE

Answer 25

-In the 16th century the monarch was expected to pay for all of the costs of running the country and the costs of running the royal household -Money made her powerful, without it she was reliant on others.

Question 26

How could QE get money for the crown in 1558

Answer 26

-Rent or sale of crown lands -Fines given by judges -Customs duties on imports -Additional taxes which had to be agreed by the government

Question 27

Why was there no easy solution for QE’s financial weakness in 1558

Answer 27

-Rents were fixed and couldn’t be increased -Mary I had sold a lot of land to cover her debts which reduced income from rents further -England was suffering high levels of inflation and so the poor could not afford to pay anymore in taxes -QE didn’t want to increase tax for nobility and gentry as she risked losing their support -Asking parliament to introduce new taxes would give them too much power

Question 28

Why was QE choosing the Privy Council a problem?

Answer 28

-If Elizabeth chose the right councillors she would have a loyal team to help her run the country, however if she got it wrong she would have alienated the most powerful men in the country -She may have had to keep some Catholic councillors because of their experience -She needs powerful nobles, but needed to be in charge as she was a woman

Question 29

How were France and Scotland linked in 1558

Answer 29

-MQS was Queen of Scotland and married to heir of the French Throne -Both were Catholic

Question 30

Why was war with France a problem in 1558

Answer 30

-France was a Catholic country and Catholics wanted MQS on the throne so France could invade England on her behalf. -£100,000 was spent at the start of her reign on military arms and munitions such as guns, pike-heads, bows and gunpowder.

Question 31

Why should Elizabeth have either continued or ended the French war in 1558?

Answer 31

Continue the war : a military victory would be a popular start to her reign and making peace could make her look weak Make peace : Defeat would start her reign off terribly and take the governments time and England was only fighting as Mary I wanted to support her husband - QE had no interest in continuing

Question 32

How did QE respond to the war with France in 1558

Answer 32

Peace was signed with France in January 1559, just three months after she became Queen in the Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis and Calais was lost forever.

Question 33

Why was there still a problem with France after the war ended in 1558

Answer 33

When QE decided England would have a Protestant Church it increased the likelihood of a European religious crusade against England to restore Catholicism

Question 34

How did QE respond to the problem of choosing the Privy Council

Answer 34

-Only had 20 councillors -Immediately made William Cecil her secretary of state -Thanked all past councillors to keep their support -Didn’t make close friend Robert Dudley member to stop jealousy -Kept 10 who served on the old council - trying to not offend powerful nobles -Chose new councillors from relatives and trusted colleagues -Most important meetings carried out with an inner circle (Protestant)

Question 35

How did QE respond to her financial weakness in 1558

Answer 35

-QE cut back government spending right from the beginning of the reign and strictly monitored the costs of her household -Exchequer officials were ordered to balance the accounts and make sure all debts called in -Crown lands were sold off throughout the 20 years bringing £600,000 into the Exchequer -By 1585 Elizabeth had paid off Mary’s debt and had £300,000

Question 36

How was poverty a problem for QE in 1558

Answer 36

-Inflation had worsened -1550 overproduction of wool led to slump in trade and loss of jobs -Enclosed fields meant less farms so less jobs -Not doing anything could make her unpopular and have those in hardship join rebellions -Henry VIII had closed monasteries = less help for the poor as monks had supported them as part of their duty to God.

Question 37

How did QE respond to poverty in 1558

Answer 37

The harvest in 1558 was very good so QE had breathing space. In future she could only pray and hope for good harvests

Question 38

What did the three main religions think about the Head of the Church in 1558

Answer 38

Protestant - Wanted the King or Queen as Head of the Church with bishops and archbishops to help them Catholic - Wanted to keep the Pope in Rome as Head of the Church, and have a structure with cardinals, archbishops and bishops to help the Pope govern the church Puritan - Didn’t believe in a head of the church or bishops, instead wanted committees elected by churchgoers to make the rules

Question 39

What did the three main religions think about decoration in church in 1558

Answer 39

Protestant - Didn’t think money given to the Church should be spent on decoration. They wanted a less decorative Church Catholic - Wanted to show glory of God through decorations (e.g. stained glass windows, statues, pictures, murals, huge altars and organs) Puritans - Plain and simple church so no distractions from worshipping God. They argued decorations weren’t based on the Bible so approved by God.

Question 40

What did the three main religions think about the clergy

Answer 40

Protestants - Believed the clergy could marry and should wear plain gowns Catholic - Believed they shouldn’t marry and should wear richly decorated robes (vestments) Puritans - Believed they should wear plain black gowns

Question 41

What did the three main religions think about the Bible and services

Answer 41

Protestant - Wanted the Bible in English for everyone to read and church services in English with Communion. Bread and wine = bread and wine + body and blood of Jesus Catholic - Wanted the Bible in Latin, only read by priests with the Latin Mass. Catholics believed that a miracle took place during mass and bread and wine = Jesus body and blood Puritan - Bible and church services in English with Communion. They believed bread and wine was just that and Jesus was spiritually present

Question 42

Why was religion so important to people in the 16th century

Answer 42

-Following the right religion would be rewarded when people died and so it was crucial that people followed the religion they believed to be the right one -Most people went to Church every Sunday and they had the most important moments of their lives conducted here (marriages, baptisms and holy days) -People had been prepared to die rather than change religion under Henry VIII, Edward VI and Mary I. Over 300 Protestants refused to change during Mary’s reign -Churches attended to moral issues such as bigamy, slander and wills/inheritance -Provided assistance to poor in times of need as there was no government or organised relief

Question 43

Why did religious division cause a problem that could weaken the country or create civil

Answer 43

-Elizabeth wanted the country to be united -Division could make it harder to fight against a foreign invader -It could lead to civil war which would make it easier for invaders

Question 44

Why did religious division cause a problem of threat of rebellion

Answer 44

-There had been rebellions in the past such as Henry VIII closing monasteries which sparked Pilgrimage of Grace. -Mary I burnt 300 rebels led by Sir Thomas Wyatt -Edward’s government created new prayer book and Catholics in Devon and Cornwall rebelled

Question 45

Why did religious division cause a problem that could increase threat from powerful Catholic countries and the Pope

Answer 45

-France, Scotland and Spain were all Catholic, going against Catholicism could start war -Most of QE’s potential suitors were Catholic so she would have to give them power if she married -If she was excommunicated she would lose her powrr

Question 46

Why did religious division cause a problem that could upset hopeful protestants

Answer 46

-A lot of QE’S advisors were Protestant -Marian exiles returned home expecting a Protestant country -Lots of people didn’t accept religious change especially in the North

Question 47

Why did religious division cause a problem that meant comprise was difficult

Answer 47

-There was no tolerance for other religions -QE was a committed Protestant so couldn’t accept Pope as the Head of the Church -Puritans wanted no part of Catholicism in the Church

Question 48

What was the Act of Supremacy (Religious Settlement) and who did it please

Answer 48

-Elizabeth was Head of the Church - but went by ‘Supreme Governor’ instead the ‘Supreme Head of the Church of England’. -This was a positive for Catholics as they could still think of the Pope as the head

Question 49

How was the Act of Supremacy enforced

Answer 49

-All clergy and royal officials had to swear an oath of allegiance to her as head of the church, if they refused they could be imprisoned (8750/9000 clergy/priests agreed) (only 1 bishop agreed out of 28) -The C of E was responsible for checking

Question 50

What is the Act of Uniformity and Royal Injuctions

Answer 50

-Everyone was to attend Church on Sunday and holy days -Bread and wine were to be offered during services -A Protestant Book of Common Prayer written in English was to be used in all church services -Each church had to have a copy of the Bible in English -Priests were to wear vestments (robes) and could marry -All clergy were to teach Royal Supremacy -Pilgrimages and monuments to fake miracles were banned -Allowed some religious images and statues in church -Stained glass windows, organs and hymns stayed

Question 51

How was the Act of Uniformity and Royal Injuctions enforced

Answer 51

-Fine of one shilling for not attending church (almost a weeks wages for majority) -Anyone who refused to attend church would be reported to the Privy Council -Clergy could not preach without a licence from the government -Any clergy refusing to use the Book of Common Prayer would be punished -C of E would carry out visitations to churches to check the clergy had their licenses and were following the terms of the settlement

Question 52

Why were puritans opposed to the religious settlement - head of the Church and Bishops

Answer 52

-They were against bishops running the church and Elizabeth being head of the Church -They wanted the Church to be run by committees elected by church goers. And Puritans didn’t believe in head of the church.

Question 53

Why were puritans opposed to the religious settlement - church decoration and music

Answer 53

-They were against the music, stained glass windows, alters, pictures and statues -They wanted plain churches so there were no distractions from God

Question 54

Why were puritans opposed to the religious settlement - Bible and services

Answer 54

-They hated the wording of the prayer book -They thought the presence of Jesus in the Communion was spiritual not physical

Question 55

Why were puritans opposed to the religious settlement - clergy

Answer 55

-The robes they wore were like vestments -Puritans wanted the Parish clergy to wear only plain black gowns

Question 56

What was the vestment controversy

Answer 56

-People believed the clergy should have either no special clothing or plain black clothing as elaborate clothing was a Catholic thing showing that Priests could forgive sins and turn bread/wine into the body and blood of Christ

Question 57

How did QE respond to the vestment controversy

Answer 57

-‘Book of Advertisements’ issued guidelines in Archbishops of Canterbury’s book -He also held exhibition in London and 37/100 who didn’t attend lost their posts

Question 58

Which influential positions did Puritans hold increasing the Puritan threat

Answer 58

-MPs in the House of Commons -Some members of the Queen’s -Francis Walshingham and Earl of Leicester

Question 59

How did Puritans try to persuade QE to make changes to the religious settlement

Answer 59

-Pushed for the removal of things they didn’t like as they were too Catholic, such as holy days and organ music

Question 60

Why did Elizabeth refuse to agree to Puritan wishes

Answer 60

She liked some of the Catholic of the old Catholic ways and they want to get rid of bishops which could destroy power to rule of England

Question 61

Why were Puritans not a significant threat

Answer 61

They were a minority and most people like the Church of England and they’d never try overthrow her.

Question 62

Why were some Catholics opposed to the religious settlement

Answer 62

-The omission of Catholic mass could risk their chance of going to heaven

Question 63

How did some Catholics oppose to the religious settlement

Answer 63

They attended a secret mass in a house or refused to go to the services at all (recusants)

Question 64

Why were Catholics not a big threat to Elizabeth after the religious settle,ent

Answer 64

-They had no support from the Pope or foreign powers and QE is lenient towards it as long as they don’t try overthrow her because it could cause a bigger problem

Question 65

Why was there generally acceptance of the religious settlement from Catholics and Protestants

Answer 65

There were clear elements to please both like the appearance was but services was Protestant

Question 66

Why did QE leave parts of the religious settlement open to interpretation

Answer 66

So they could satisfy both religions. In the Book of Common the wording of the service meant Catholics could interpret the bread and win as becoming the blood and body of Christ during Communion

Question 67

How did the Pope, Spain and France respond to the religious settlement? And why?

Answer 67

-None of them took action against it which her time to enforce new laws -France was busy with Civil war and both were dealing with Protestant rebels

Question 68

What did Elizabeth do in 1560 that increased the Catholic threat

Answer 68

The Protestant Lords in Scotland rebelled against the French rule in the 1550s led by preacher John Knox. In 1560 QE sent troops and money to support the rebels. The French were defeated and forced to leave Scotland which greatly reduced the risk of a French invasion from Scotland but also made it clear that QE would support Protestants over Catholics.

Question 69

What did Elizabeth do in 1962 that increased the Catholic threat

Answer 69

A religious civil war broke out in France and QE agreed to help Protestant rebels to try get Calais back however this failed as France made peace. In 1964 she signed the Treaty of Troyes which confirmed Calais belonged to France. QE supported Protestants once again which Phillip was open annoyed by.

Question 70

What did Elizabeth do in 1963 that increased the Catholic threat

Answer 70

At this time Netherlands belonged to Spain. Philip banned the import of English cloth to the Netherlands in 1563 as he believed the English merchants would spread Protestantism there, QE ceased trade with Netherlands. This embargo lasted for about about a year.

Question 71

What happened in 1566 that increased the Catholic threat (Pope)

Answer 71

-The papacy offered no leadership to English Catholics opposition to religious settlement. -In 1566 the Pope issued instruction that they shouldn’t attend C of e E services

Question 72

What did Philip do in 1566 that increased the Catholic threat

Answer 72

Both Catholics and Protestant in Netherlands rebelled against the Spanish rule leasing to the Dutch Revolt in 1566. Philip II sent an army of 10,000 led by the Duke of Alba to crush the revolt. Now a large Spanish army close to England.

Question 73

What did Elizabeth do in 1567-68 that increased the Catholic threat

Answer 73

Dutch rebels fled to the water to attack Spanish ships carrying men and resources. In 1567 QE allowed Sea Beggers to shelter in English harbours. Once the revolt was crushed by the Spanish in 1568 thousands of Dutch Protestants fled to England. Publicly Elizabeth condemned the actions of the Dutch rebels as she was anxious not be seen as their Protestant saviour and subsequently anger Philip.

Question 74

What did Elizabeth do in 1568 that increased the Catholic threat (Genoese)

Answer 74

Spanish ships carrying gold to pay Alba’s 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 event which became known as the Genoese Loan and Philip was furious.

Question 75

What happened do in 1568 that increased the Catholic threat (MQS)

Answer 75

-In 1568 MQS fled to England from Scotland. Many Catholics thought she had a stronger claim to throne than QE and now she was in England they had more chance of working with her to rebel.

Question 76

Who was MQS

Answer 76

-She became MQS 6 days after her birth in 1542. Her French mother, Mary of Guise, ruled as regent (on her behalf) -She was Elizabeth’s cousin and as long QE remained childless she was heir to the English

Question 77

Why was MQS’ marriage to Lord Darnley a problem

Answer 77

-Strengthened her claim to the throne -Angered Scottish lords as Scotland was a Protestant country and she married a Catholic

Question 78

What happened to Lord Darnley in 1567

Answer 78

-He was murdered and the Earl of Bothwell was the main suspect

Question 79

What was QE’S reaction to Darnley’s murder

Answer 79

She was horrified and surprised MQS was associated with Bothwell and encouraged Mary to not support Bothwell

Question 80

Who did MQS marry in 1567 and what problem did it cause

Answer 80

-Earl of Bothwell -Confirmed her involvement in Lord Darnley’s death

Question 81

What was the reaction of Scottish lords to MQS and Earl of Bothwell’s marriage

Answer 81

-Bothwell was allowed free -MQS was imprisoned, forced to abdicate and her son was crowned and taken away from her

Question 82

What was QE’s reaction to MQS’ imprisonment

Answer 82

-She was very unhappy as the English nobles may see it as an example

Question 83

Why did MQS flee to England

Answer 83

To get her throne back as she had been told QE was on her side

Question 84

What did QE do with MQS

Answer 84

Put her on house arrest

Question 85

What problem did QE face when MQS arrived in England

Answer 85

-If she had been found guilty of Darnley’s murder she would have been handed over to Scottish Lords and QE would have been supporting nobles to overthrow a monarch -If she let MQS free she would be free to raise an army (possibly with French support) and take the English throne

Question 86

What was the outcome of MQS’ trial?

Answer 86

As part of the York Conference the Scottish parliament presented ‘Casket Letters’ from MQS to Bothwell saying they were evidence for her involvement. The enquiry failed to reach a verdict which suited as she could keep MQS in prison