Elizabethan England Government & Society

Question Types in Paper 2

• For a 'describe' question, provide two facts about the topic, event, or person, including specific details to demonstrate knowledge.
• For an 'explain why' question, provide three reasons, elaborating on each with evidence.
• For a 'how far do you agree' question, consider the factors given, add at least one more of your own, and evaluate your answer in the conclusion while referring back to the question.

Important Background Knowledge

• England had no police or army
• English society had the following social hierarchy: nobility, gegntry, yeomen, tenant farmers, landless and working poor, homeless and beggars
• Town social hierarchy: merchants, professionals, business owners, skilled craftsmen, unskilled workers

Government Under Elizabeth

• The Court was comprised of people close to Elizabeth who influenced her decisions.
• The Privy Council debated issues and oversaw laws, money, and Parliament, consisting of 19 members chosen by Elizabeth (e.g., William Cecil).
• Parliament passed laws and authorized extra taxes, composed of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, Elizabeth only called parliament 10 times
• Lord Lieutenants were in charge of training local military forces, one in every county, also on the Privy Council
• Justices of the Peace were large landowners who kept law and order, ensure laws were carried out

The Monarchy and Elizabeth's Rights

• The Divine Right of Kings was the belief that rulers had a right to rule by the 'grace of God'.
• Rights as Queen: declare war/peace, call/dismiss parliament, agree/disagree to laws, grant titles/money/land, and be a patron.
• The Secretary of State was second in command, who advised the Queen on important matters (Sir William Cecil)
• Extraordinary Taxation allowed for the Queen and Parliament to raise extra money from taxes in case of war or needing more resources.
• Royal Prerogative meant only the Queen had the right to decide on some issues.
• Legal Legitimate: Whether or not a monarch had the right to be King or Queen, the child as to be born while the King and Queen are married
• Elizabeth’s father, Henry VIII, divorced his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, in order to marry Elizabeth’s mother, Anne Boleyn.

Marriage and Gender

• Marriage reasons: A child makes country more stable, husband as military leader, strengthen her position, become accepted by public
• Reasons not to marry: Foreign prince would prioritize his country, threat of losing power, king more powerful due to sexism
• Gender was an issue because Christian religion had taught that women should be under control of men and not capable physically/emotionally/mentally
• It was unusual for women to be in power
• Public opinion was that a woman should not rule
• Mary I had given women a bad reputation for extreme leadership

Elizabeth's Character

• She was an intelligent, well-educated woman with excellent knowledge of politics.
• Spoke Italian, Greek, French, and Latin
• She empathized with the lower classes as a previous prisoner.
• Elizabeth knew dangers of others challenging her power, a confident, and good speaker
• Negative characteristics included a temper and slow decision-making.

Problems for Elizabeth 1558-69

• She did not have a lot of money because of the costly wars fought when Mary I was the Queen.
• England was £300,000 in debt.
• Taxing people was very unpopular but she needed to make some money.

Problems Elizabeth Faced from Abroad

• France was rich and had a bigger population.
• France helped the Scottish in border battles between England and Scotland.
• Loss of Calais: England controlled port in Northern France; lost after a battle with Spain
• Catholic France and Spain saw Protestant England as a threat
• Scotland had links to France and disagreements with England.
• Mary Queen of Scots: Thought she had the right to become the next English Queen
• Constant fighting on the border between England and Scotland
• The Auld Alliance: The name of the friendship between Scotland and France

The Settlement of Religion

• England was dominated by the Catholic Church but Elizabeth was now more Protestant.
• Religious Reformation questioned Roman Catholic Church
• Reformation: People challenged the Roman Catholic Church and began their own church without the Pope
• Henry VIII began it when he created the Church of England after he wanted a divorce from Catherine of Aragon.

Protestant vs. Catholic Beliefs

• Protestant: king/queen as leader, The Bible translated from Latin to English, no church decorations, no pope, sins forgiven by God, no miracles, priests allowed to marry
• Catholic: pope as the leader, Bible written in Latin, Beliefs in miracles and saints, Churches decorated to honor God, Priests are not allowed to marry

Religious Problems and Settlement

• Henry VIII started as Catholic, after the Break from Rome and divorce from Catherine of Aragon, Edward VI (Protestant), Mary I (Extreme Catholic)
• Tension between Catholics and Protestants as well as geographical division (London Protestant; rural Catholic)
• The Puritans were extreme Protestants
• The Religious Settlement was Elizabeth's attempt to compromise and make all religions happy.

Features of Elizabeth's Religious Settlement (1559)

• Act of Supremacy made Elizabeth the supreme governor of the Church of England.
• Act of Uniformity ensured church services appeared the same; everyone had to attend church on Sundays/Holy Days or be fined.
• Royal Injunctions contained rules, ensuring the clergy followed the Acts, people worshipped correctly, parishes had an English Bible, and no unlicensed preaching.

Impact of Religious Settlement

• 8,000 priests took an Oath of Supremacy to the Queen, however, only one bishop agreed.
• Shortage of qualified clergy
• Acceptance by the people, though many kept Catholic beliefs.
• Many people in London destroyed Catholic statues.
• More Catholic places such as the north west was slow to change.

The Religious Settlement Acts

• Act of Supremacy had clergies sworn an oath to Elizabeth, and set up the High Commission to keep discipline.
• The Act of Uniformity set out church rules, the book of common prayer was used, clerics that didn’t use it were punished, and ordered attendance on Sunday and Holy Days.
• Royal Injunctions included clergy teaching Royal Supremacy, churches refusing being reported, special religious garments, and a ban on miracles.

Challenges to the Religious Settlement from England

• Recusants: Some who refused to follow new church services
• Church courts checked marraiges and births
• Inspections carried out by the church made sure people were following rules, 400 clergy were sacked and professions checked for lisences.

Religious Challenges to the religious settlement from England

• The Puritan clergymen wanted a more extreme the religious settlement.
• This group began to disobey parts of it and refused to play the organ.
• Crucifix controversy: Puritans didn’t want the crucifix, but Elizabeth liked it
• Vestment controversy: Puritans didn’t want special (vestments) clothing. Elizabeth liked the clergy to wear them
• The Archbishop of Canterbury held a special exhibition to show the priests what to wear, 37 refused to attend and lost their jobs
• Rule by the Pope and Catholic followers
• The Counter Reformation made Catholics fight back against new changes and those that disagreed

The Northern Earls/England's Nobility and the Revolt of the Northern Earls.

• 1/3 of the nobility were recusants.
• The Gentry/Nobility in the North West of England were recusants.
• The nobility were a more powerful threat to Elizabeth compared to the ordinary people.
• The Earl of Northumberland led a rebellion in the north against Elizabeth.
• They took over Durham Cathedral and marched south until Elizabeth’s troops stepped in and evened them out.

Challenges to the Religious Settlement from Abroad

• France: Religious war in 1562, Elizabeth tried to stop England from getting involved she offered to help French.
• They signed a treaty giving Calais back to France.
• Philip of Spain was angered.
• The Netherlands belonged to the Spain and was influenced by the Spanish Inquisition
• The Protestants against Philip then started up the revolt.
• 10,000 Spanish were used to defeat the revolt.
• The Council of Blood that made sure everyone obeyed Catholic laws lead to 1000’s Protestants deaths.
• Dutch rebels or sea beggars travelled to England to try and get support.

Factors That Were A Threat To The Religious Settlement From Abroad

• Spain could invade the English channel.
• The Spanish inquisition influenced the rebellion
• Netherland in close proximity to England
• Religious war in France could start again.
• Elizabeth put under pressure from leading countries.
• Elizabeth took gold from an Italian Ship (Genoese Loan) which angered Philip.

The Problem of Mary, Queen of Scots

• Many Catholics believed that Mary was a better claim than Mary
• She became Queen of Scotland in 1542 at age 6.
• Elizabeth helped defeat Mary of Guise while Mary Queen of Scot’s was away with her Husband in France.
• She sent secret money to the Scotts for the rebellion against Mary.
• Mary of Scot’s would not claim to be Queen of England, as long as they stopped Protestant attacking the Catholics.

Background Of Mary, Queen of Scots

• She was accused of murdering her Husband, Lord Darnley.
• Forced to give up her throne by Lords (Protestant).
• Later imprisoned but escaped to start a new army, and fled to Elizabeth for help.
• Catholic plan was for her to marry Duke of Norfolk who could help her become Q.O.E.
• Developed into a rebellion by the Cathollic Earls Northumberland and Westmoreland.
• Elizabeth kept her in comfort under guard as they were still a threat.

Success of the Religious Settlement

• Accepted by Catholics and Protestants.
• New growth of the Protestant religion in England.
• There were inspections to make sure the rules were being followed.
• Mary, Queen of Scots was not killed, just kept her ‘out of the way’
• Elizabeth did not send over English troops to help the Dutch Revolt against the Catholics.

Main Threats 1569-88

• The Puritans- Vestment and Crucifix Controversy
• English Catholics
• The Revolt of Northern Earls 1569
• The Ridolfi Plot 1571
• The Throckmorton Plot 1583
• The Babington Plot 1586
• Mary, Queen of Scots
• Spain
• The Dutch Revolt

Revolt of the Northern Earls

• The Earls wanted the Catholic Church restored and had lost power since Elizabeth became Queen
• Elizabeth did not have an heir-uncertainty about her throne
• Wanted leadership from Mary (QoS)
• Caused due to Catholic northern powers, influence being lost under Elizabeth (Q1), dislike of Archbishop James Pilkington.

Main People in Revolt of Northern Earls

• Thomas Percy, Earl of Northumberland- Catholic lost power under Elizabeth
• Charles Neville, Earl of Westmoreland- Catholic and wealthy landowner
• Thomas Howard Duke Of Norfolk-Prot links but ties to a Catholic landowner
• Mary Queen Of Scots- Catholic Queen of Scotland, wanted to marry Norfolk.
• Ann Percy-wife to Thomas Percy and supported the plot

Features of revolt of the Northern Earls

• Norfolk got arrested to the ToL in 1569
• Earls took Durham and controlled the Cathedral
• Parts of cathedral destroyed
• Mass celebrated in Durham, celebrated over the next two weeks.

Failure of the revolt of 1569

• Spain did not give any support whatsoever.
• 14,000 raised against it.
• Duke of westmoorland escaped
• Elizabeth raised an army of 14,000 men against it.
• Elizabeth moved Mary,QoS to Coventry so she would not escape.

Consequences of the Revolt

• 450 rebels killed
• People scared, Duke Westmoorland escaped
• Duke Northumberland executed in 1572

Significance of the Northern Earls Revolt

It was the first and most serious rebellion against Elizabeth. Ended power in Northern families. Much harsher to Catholics (the persecution). Showed people struggled if they supported her or the pope. It Ended the power of important northern families in England. It brought about much harsher treatment of Catholics

Why Was The Papal Bull Significant?

• Pope wanted Elizabeth out of power
• Meant anyone could try to remove Elizabeth

The Ridolfi Plot-1571

• Roberto Ridolfi.
• Italian banker spy for pope who had the plan to murder Elizabeth
• And make the Spanish put MQoS on the throne

The Ridolfi Plot Features

Elizabeth to be murdered, invasion set up, Mary married to Duke of Norfolk, messages send with Philip of Spain to set up a 10,000 man attack on England. Sir William Cecil found out Duke of Norfolk was arrested

Ridolfi Plot Significance and Consequences

• Catholics still serious about the attack
• Catholics supported by Spain and there was still a huge threat that Elizabeth would lose control of England
• Catholic priests and safe spaces were placed into England

The Throckmorton Plot 1583

• French cousin (Duke of guise) to invade England and free Mary and then reinstate Catholicism
• The French,Spain and Mary herself were also involved with wanting to move Elizabeth and make England a Catholic state

Features of Throckmorton Plot

• Francis Throckmorton was the key point between other plotters
• His plot got found out by Sir Francis Walsingham
• He got arrested and then executed

Significance of Throckmorton Plot

• Catholics did want Mary to get crowned
• A list of names was found (of Catholics) which Elisabeth could use to get them arrested
• Showed she was not save because of some people of the court not safe

The Babington Plot 1586

Anthony the leader had connections with French who planned to murder her to encourage English catholics to rebel the French would then invade England with 60,000 me. Mary would become Queen. Philip the 2nd supported the plot who then got found out and then had all who were involved arrested and killed for their crimes.

How Was The Plot Discovered?

Babington was always writing to Mary over the plot. The Mail of hers was always checked. Found by Francis Walsingham. Was it significant- completely broken down Spain and England esp. with Elizabeth helping the Dutch it ended the idea of Mary being next monarch.

Why Was The The Babington Plot Significant?

• It broke down Spain and England further.
• Catholic faith-determined to be crushed crushed the catholic faith Mary was in too many plots leading her to be found guilty + killed

Ways the Mary, Q of S, Threatened Elizabeth

• Too many plots
• If she escaped she would remain threat to Elizabeth
• Act of parliament meant if ever Elizabeth got kill Mary wouldn’t become Queen

Walsigham importance for Elizabeth?

• He was key second in command and Secretary of State
• He set up a network of informers in England and in Europe to undercover many networks.

How Did Walsingham Operate for Elizabeth

• He often paid people for their services
• By 1580 operated in 12 towns in France

Walsingham Operations Continued

• writing code to receive messages
• Catholics were persuaded to provide information
• Nobels were used to get information

England & Spain Rivalry

• England wanted better trade, protection, stop invasion and wanted to protect english throne(4)
• Wanted to avoid war as well
• English merchants - discovered - turkey,china India.
• New world with America with spain had with access too

Problems With Spain and The Dutch

• Controlled the Netherlands
• Controlled most of new world/ Americas could not touch in it
• Needed a license
• British/ English began ignoring spain rules, they just decided to attack ships this enraged Phillip the 2nd

Privateers and Francis Drake

• Privateers (Engish people with armed ships with steel
• Francis Drake merchant in the new world
• Invested money by voyagers from the queen
• He got money of slaves 40,000 from panama
• Took their cargo

Why did Drake cause tension with Spain.

• Took the cargo, ignored trading and even angered Phillip
• Drakes support, made Phillip bad
• Drake also successful attacked ships

Significance If Drake

• Showed spain didn't rule and wasn´t there
• England now had war and money helped that too
• Drake was national hero
• Drake actions damaged relations between Spanish and England

Political and Religious Rivalry between Spain & England

• They wanted more power which meant more,power wealth and more pop
• There was Catholics V protestors
• They had been allies, then England changed that
• All Ships from spain needed to pass though Alba with this

Elizabeth's Response to Religious Rivalry

• Privy Council put pressure on Elizabeth to help the Dutch Protestants.
• Spain would have help from Pope and war against England.
• She unofficially helped, attack on ship and allowed this to continue.

Spanish Fury in Dutch City

• Spanish unable to pay so refused to fight
• Led to lists by NL troops sent away from Netherlands which had to be in their own government

The Spanish agreed from now onward in 1577.

• Philip sent another army, Dutch asking the French help instead due to experienced to have a good control/force

Treaties

• France and Spain now very high on power and made allies
• Elizabeth was way to slow

More Spanish leaders.

Good leaders. The spanish were able to take the opportunity in making new chances

Summary

• Relationship for spain got worse
• Elizabeth had a big impact
• Drake continued to make Phillip angry
• The Ditch lead big military presence

Out Break of War (1585-88)

• French and Spanish in allience
• Treaty of nonsynch (1585)- English dutch alliense
• Finaced to take a army
• Spanish angery- pop had power
• Spanish in allience
• Began attack navy at important place

Spanish Armada Airm

• Remove prostain with England.
• Remove Elisabeth in the process
• Catholics plots against Elizabeth
• Philip did not link Drake attacks.

Facts Armada

• Owned Portugal
• Alot of ships, men

Armada and Plan

• Largest fleet of Europe.
• Lead by Duke Medina Sidonia
• Made Parma meet with the duke and meet in London to take Elizabeth

Reasons Armada did not win

• English ship design
• Fast and easier to win
• Effective canons
• English canons being fire quickly

Armada- The Route

• Spanish Armada setting sail in the weather
• Spanish had lots of ships and 1100 men
• Armada was at sea for weeks on end suffereing great loss

Armada - supplies

• Spain- wasn't prepared
• Food was rotten
• Armada low on cannons

Armada: Battle Of Gravelines 1588

• English cause cahos.
• Had the spanish attack without Duke parma even ready- slow English

Result

• They turned to england.
• Had thousands of spanish.
• Had 6 more canons the spanish.
• Avoid big hits that did it too with these

Philip the 2nd

• He was second to his captain

• People to be with good experience with little knowledge

Aftermath-Victory

• Victory against spain- great propaganda.
• Elisabeth part of Great parede
• God had save the protestent
• Strengthed the English to explore

Society

• Did not stop Phillip

Education

• Rich people
• To prepare to born in or had been from

Different Styles of Eduction

• Humanis wanted them to understand stuff to stop superstitions
• Business also helped to tell to learn

Nobles

• Educated higher.
• High literecy skill
• Languages

People higher up

• Attend schools and can pay, had holiday and good with learning and debate great for debating

Merchartis

• Had great schools

Schools

• In houses for kids or girls for girls they were to have a marriage or skills or some
• Poor children had no skills work and learnt basic knowlage or had to do basic life task

Impact of schools

• Boys were helped but not girls
• A big amount of men help to do the school test which then help it become a big skill

Lesuire Times

• What they what had the help with to go through

• nobles and gentry could hunting a lot of fun

• working class to take part.

• Music and worship and dance to have an amount of great skill time off with all