Untitled Quiz

Social Structure

• The social hierarchy in Elizabethan England placed God and the monarch at the apex, reflecting the belief in the Divine Right of Kings.
• The poor, including laborers and vagrants, occupied the lowest tier of society, holding minimal influence or power.

Government

• The court, composed mostly of nobility, served as the monarch's close advisors and functioned within the same locale as the Queen.
• The Privy Council included around 19 key courtiers like Sir William Cecil, selected by the monarch to guide governance.

The Monarch

• Monarchs claimed to rule "by the grace of God," asserting divine rights to authority.
• Monarchs were empowered to establish government policy, including decisions on war and peace.

The Virgin Queen

• Elizabeth never married or had children, resulting in no direct heir to the throne.
• Her perceived illegitimacy, due to her parents' divorce, raised concerns about her ability to govern effectively.

Challenges in England

• Northern England presented significant challenges, primarily from Catholic populations aiming for a counter-reformation.
• Puritan groups also challenged Elizabeth, opposing certain practices in the Church of England.

Religious Settlement

• The Act of Supremacy declared Elizabeth as the supreme governor of the Church of England, establishing her authority.
• The Act of Uniformity defined church appearances and the structure of services, standardizing religious practice.

The Role of the Church of England

• The Church had a profound societal impact, with efforts made to balance the needs of Catholics and Puritans.
• The Queen made ecclesiastical decisions, commanding bishops to enforce her directives.

Enforcing the Settlement

• Bishops conducted church inspections to ensure adherence to the oath of supremacy among clergy.
• Regular visitations occurred every few years, examining not just the church but other societal aspects too.

Spain and the Netherlands

• Spain, under Phillip II, took control of the Netherlands, exacerbating tensions with England.
• Phillip II attempted to counter English influence, banning English cloth imports in 1563 to curb Protestant support.

Elizabeth's Concerns about Alba's Presence

• Alba’s presence in the Netherlands posed a threat due to the proximity to England and the Protestant mission he represented.
• Elizabeth wanted to avoid being seen as a leading Protestant monarch and condemned Dutch rebels despite their arrival in England.

Mary, Queen of Scots' Arrival in England

• Mary’s claim to the throne was viewed as legitimate, challenging Elizabeth's rule among those questioning her legitimacy.
• Mary became a rallying figure for disgruntled Catholics opposed to Elizabeth's Protestant reforms.

Mary, Queen of Scots' Claim to the Throne

• Mary’s legitimacy derived from being born to married parents, unlike Elizabeth, fueling claims to the throne.
• Her noble lineage lent credibility to her claim, as she descended from powerful, respected families.

Elizabethan Pastimes

• Football, primarily played by the lower classes, was a rough sport with few rules, resulting in frequent injuries.
• Horse riding was a favored activity among the nobility, enjoyed by both men and women.

Raleigh's Attempted Colonization of Virginia

• Raleigh dispatched 107 colonists, predominantly men, ensuring future population growth in the colony.
• Many chosen colonists were lower-class individuals and soldiers, experienced in hardship and self-defense.

The Ridolfi Plot

• The Ridolfi Plot sought to free Mary Queen of Scots, marrying her to the Duke of Norfolk to restore Catholicism in England.
• Collaboration with Spain aimed to dethrone Elizabeth through military action.

The Throckmorton Plot (1583)

• The plot involved a French duke's plan to invade England, freeing Mary and reinstating Catholicism.
• Discovery by Sir Francis Walsingham led to Throckmorton's arrest, torture, and eventual execution.

Significance of the Throckmorton Plot

• The plot underscored the substantial threat posed by foreign Catholic alliances and domestic Catholic sentiment.
• Resulted in increased suspicion of English Catholics and harsher penal laws for aiding Catholic priests.

The Babington Plot (1586)

• This plot mirrored earlier conspiracies, with a plan to murder Elizabeth and place Mary on the throne with foreign support.
• Walsingham intercepted correspondence confirming Mary's involvement in the conspiracy.

Significance of the Babington Plot

• The plot culminated in Mary, Queen of Scots’ execution, significantly impacting Elizabeth's political stability.
• It prompted a more aggressive stance against Catholic threats during heightened tensions with Spain.

Early Elizabethan Theatre

• Theatre gained immense popularity, leading to the creation of numerous new venues.
• Performance roles were exclusively male, with boys portraying female characters.

Importance of Education in Elizabethan England

• Protestant advocates emphasized literacy for scriptural study, driving the need for education.
• Economic needs increased literacy among the populace, promoting reading and writing skills for trade purposes.

Features of Education in Elizabethan England

• New grammar schools emerged for boys, independent of Church influence, with scholarships for lower-income students.
• Girls received limited education, though wealthier families could afford private tutors or attended Dame Schools.

Attitudes towards Education

• Only 15-20% of the population could read and write, as education aimed to fulfill societal roles rather than academic pursuit.
• School access was largely restricted by fees, leading to a view that education was primarily for the wealthy.

Reasons for Poverty in Elizabethan England

• Population growth from 3 million in 1551 to 4.2 million by 1601 strained food supplies and labor markets.
• Land enclosure reduced access to common land, diminishing the ability to grow food.

Attitudes towards Poverty in Elizabethan England

• There was a growing fear that poverty might lead to social disorder; views on the poor became increasingly stigmatized.
• Society differentiated between the "deserving poor" needing assistance and the "idle poor," deemed culpable for their situation.

Policies towards the Poor

• The Poor Rate established a local tax for the welfare of the needy, helping them achieve self-sufficiency.
• The 1572 Vagabonds Act allowed punishment for vagrancy, while also acknowledging the need for work provisions for the poor.

Factors Promoting Exploration

• Expansion in trade and the quest for new markets drove English merchants to seek broader opportunities abroad.
• Advancements in ship design enhanced speed, maneuverability, and capacity for long voyages, encouraging maritime exploration.

Encouragement for Exploration

• Private funding from investors, including Elizabeth and courtiers, made exploration financially viable despite inherent risks.
• Standardized maps provided navigational confidence, supporting ventures into unknown territories.

Reasons for Drake's Circumnavigation

• Drake's primary objective was to raid Spanish territories, with circumnavigation evolving as a secondary goal.
• Financial incentives drove investment in the expedition, supported by Elizabeth I.

Significance of Drake's Circumnavigation

• Despite losing most ships, his single surviving vessel boosted England's maritime reputation.
• The voyage solidified the perception of the navy as crucial for England's national defense and trade protection.

Declining Relations with Spain Due to Drake

• Drake’s actions claimed territorial rights in North America, challenging Spanish authority and the Pope's endorsement.
• Elizabeth's knighting of Drake provoked the ire of Phillip II, eroding diplomatic relations and setting the stage for conflict.

Revolt of the Northern Earls (1569)

• Discontent among earls stemmed from a loss of influence under Elizabeth; they sought to restore Catholicism.
• The revolt was significant as the first major opposition to Elizabeth's reign, involving plans to replace her with Mary.

Significance of the Revolt of the Northern Earls

• Resulted in stricter treason laws and wider definitions of treason, highlighting governance threats.
• Elizabeth’s brutal response indicated the severity with which she viewed such uprisings, though many northern Catholics remained loyal.