Key Events and Figures of Elizabeth I's Reign

Elizabeth I's reign years

1558-1603.

Spanish Armada size

130 ships.

Guns carried by the Armada

Approximately 2,500 guns.

Spaniards died during the Armada's defeat

Around 20,000 Spaniards.

Spanish ships returned after the Armada campaign

60 ships returned.

Factors contributing to England's victory over the Spanish Armada

Faster, more maneuverable ships, superior naval tactics (line-ahead formation & fireships), storms (the "Protestant Wind"), logistical difficulties for Spain.

Symbolism of the Armada's defeat for England

England's emergence as a major naval power, a triumph of Protestant England over Catholic Spain.

Artist for Elizabeth I's miniature portraits

Nicholas Hilliard.

Symbol in Nicholas Hilliard's portrait of Elizabeth I

A globe (symbolizing global power).

Affordable arts during the Renaissance

Decorative silverware and patterned textiles.

First permanent theatres built in Elizabethan England

The Theatre (1576), Curtain (1577), Rose (1587), Swan (1596), Globe (1599).

Famous playwrights during Elizabeth's reign

William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson.

Scientific innovators in Elizabethan England

John Dee (mathematics and astrology), John Napier (logarithms), Francis Bacon (experimental method), William Harvey (blood circulation), William Gilbert (magnetism and electricity).

Champion of the experimental method

Francis Bacon.

William Harvey's medical discovery

The circulation of the blood pumped by the heart.

Innovation that spread ideas rapidly

The printing press.

Literacy changes during Elizabeth's reign

Literacy increased among the gentry and middling classes; ordinary laboring classes remained largely illiterate.

Change in England's population during Elizabeth's reign

It grew from about 2.8 million to 4 million.

London's population growth

From roughly 60,000 to 200,000.

Major land redistribution before Elizabeth's reign

The Dissolution of the Monasteries (1536-1540) freed up vast church lands, allowing the gentry to purchase these lands and expand their estates and wealth.

Court favourites sponsoring theatre companies

Robert Dudley (Leicester's Company), Lord Hunsdon (Lord Chamberlain's Men).

English explorer who circumnavigated the globe

Sir Francis Drake.

Patent received by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1584

Patent to colonize "heathen" lands in North America (Roanoke).

Fate of the Roanoke colony

It mysteriously disappeared (the "Lost Colony").

Roles of John Hawkins during Elizabeth's reign

Naval commander and privateer, early English slave trader, introduced tobacco to England.

Narrow hulls

Designed for speed and stability.

Combination of square and lateen sails

Provides maneuverability.

Broadside gun ports

Allows for powerful cannon volleys.

Muscovy Company

Traded in Russia for furs and timber.

Eastland Company

Traded in the Baltic for timber, tar, and canvas.

Levant Company

Traded in the Eastern Mediterranean for dyes, dried fruit, wine, and silk.

East India Company

Traded in India & Far East for spices, silk, tea, and cotton.

Henry VII's policy on noble retinues

Limiting noble retinues left many retaining soldiers and servants unemployed.

Trade collapse under Edward VI

Caused by debasement of the coinage leading to inflation and foreign traders demanding more coins.

Consequences of the bad harvests in the 1590s

Food shortages, starvation, increased poverty and vagrancy.

Social issues from London's population growth

Overcrowding, high rents and homelessness, poor sanitation and crime.

Percentage of Norwich's population in poverty around 1570

Approximately 80%.

Elizabethan authorities' control of beggars

Vagabonds Act 1572: whipping and branding of vagrants; Act for Setting the Poor on Work 1576: local work schemes; Houses of Correction for idle poor.

Key provisions of the 1601 Poor Law

Parishes taxed wealthier residents for relief; able-bodied poor required to work or face punishment; settlement laws determined parish responsibility.

Major flu outbreak in 1556

A severe influenza epidemic that killed around 200,000 people, disrupting food production.

Plague outbreaks during Elizabeth's reign

Occurred repeatedly, roughly every decade, in major epidemics (e.g., 1563, 1580-81, 1593).

Treaty that brought English troops to the Netherlands

The Treaty of Nonsuch (1585).

Duration of the war with Spain

From 1585 until the Treaty of London in 1604.

Spanish Armada attempts in 1596 and 1597

Both fleets were scattered and defeated mainly by severe storms.

Impact of war with Spain on England

Drained royal finances, increased taxes, caused inflation and hardship, especially for the poor.

Key figures who died between 1588 and 1598

Robert Dudley (1588), Francis Walsingham (1590), William Cecil (1598).

Personal problems faced by Elizabeth late in her reign

Depression, irritability, insomnia, loss of appetite.

Main rivals in Elizabeth's court after 1598

Robert Cecil and Robert, Earl of Essex.

Essex Rebellion in 1601

Essex burst into the Queen's chamber, was arrested; raised 300 supporters in a failed coup; rebellion lasted ~12 hours; Essex executed for treason.

Treatment of Catholics during Elizabeth's reign

Recusancy fines under Acts of Uniformity; seminary priests/Jesuits declared traitors; attendance at Mass punishable by fines, imprisonment, or death.

Main Catholic plots during Elizabeth's reign

Ridolfi (1571), Throckmorton (1583), Babington (1586) led to increased repression and the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Puritans and Separatists challenge to the Church of England

Puritans pressed for reform; Separatists punished under 1593 Act Against Seditious Sectaries; Elizabeth enforced the Middle Way with moderate persecution.

Roanoke colony

It vanished without a trace, known as the 'Lost Colony.'

Beneficiaries of printing, scientific advances, and the arts

The gentry and nobility.

Ordinary workers' benefits during this period

Did not benefit as much compared to the gentry and nobility.

Ordinary workers' benefits

They faced low wages, poor living conditions, and limited access to education.

Belief about women ruling

Many believed women were weaker and less suited intellectually or temperamentally for rule.

Doubt about Elizabeth's authority

Prevailing misogyny held that women could not maintain authority over men.

Perceptions of women's suitability for leadership

Forced Elizabeth to emphasize her masculine virtues and rule with strong symbolism.

Advantages of Elizabeth marrying an Englishman

Strengthened domestic alliances and secured loyalty from powerful English nobles.

Risks of Elizabeth marrying an Englishman

Could cause factional rivalries and jealousy at court; potential threats to Elizabeth's authority.

Advantages of Elizabeth marrying a foreign prince

Strengthened international alliances and could bring military or financial support.

Risks of Elizabeth marrying a foreign prince

Risked England being drawn into foreign wars; loss of English sovereignty or influence.

Elizabeth's role as queen and marriage

As a sovereign, she was the ultimate authority and could not legally obey a husband without losing power.

Political groups pressuring Elizabeth to marry

Parliament and some nobles pressured her to marry to secure the succession and political stability.

Year Elizabeth lost temper over marriage discussion

1559

Consequence of Elizabeth's reaction to marriage pressure

She asserted her royal prerogative strongly, refusing to marry and warning Parliament not to interfere with personal decisions.

Prince Eric of Sweden

A suitor considered early in her reign, but negotiations ended without marriage.

Controversy of King Philip of Spain as suitor

Due to political and religious conflicts, especially England's opposition to Spain's Catholic power and Philip's role in Mary I's reign.

Elizabeth's distrust of Philip

She distrusted Philip because of his harsh treatment of Mary and feared loss of her own authority.

Consequences of Mary's marriage to Philip

Political unrest, religious tension, and fear of Spanish dominance.

Robert Dudley's scandalous potential marriage

Elizabeth's close favourite; marriage was scandalous due to his questionable wife's death and court gossip.

Mysterious event surrounding Amy Dudley

Amy's sudden and suspicious death, rumored to be murder.

French noble considered for marriage in late 1570s

Francis, Duke of Alençon.

Privy Council division over Francis, Duke of Alençon

Some supported alliance with France; others feared Catholic influence.

Impact of St Bartholomew's Day Massacre on marriage

It worsened fears about Catholic plots and made the marriage politically risky.

Year Elizabeth contracted smallpox

1562; it was a crisis because smallpox was often fatal and there were fears she might die without an heir.

Parliament's response after smallpox illness

Parliament pressured Elizabeth to marry and produce an heir to secure the succession.

Reasons for Elizabeth refusing to marry after smallpox

She claimed marriage would limit her power and she wanted to avoid political instability over succession.

Main succession claims threatening Elizabeth

Lady Catherine Grey and Mary, Queen of Scots.

Henry VIII's will

According to Henry VIII's will, the descendants of his younger sister, Mary Tudor (Lady Catherine Grey's line) were supposed to inherit the throne if his children died without heirs.

Lady Jane Grey

Lady Jane Grey was Elizabeth's cousin who was briefly queen before being executed for treason.

Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary was Elizabeth's first cousin once removed and a Catholic; she claimed the English throne and was seen as a focus for Catholic plots.

Mary, Queen of Scots' religious upbringing

Mary was raised Catholic in France.

James VI of Scotland

By the end of Elizabeth's reign, James VI of Scotland was the obvious heir to the English throne.

Basis of James VI of Scotland's claim

He was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, and descended from Henry VII.

Acceptance of James's claim

Cecil and Elizabeth's advisors accepted James's claim in the late 1590s to early 1600s.

Elizabeth's successor naming

Elizabeth never officially named a successor, keeping it secret to avoid political problems.

Robert Cecil's secret action in 1601

He began secret negotiations with James VI to secure a smooth succession after Elizabeth.

Mary, Queen of Scots' marriage in 1558

Mary married Francis, Dauphin of France (later King Francis II).

Mary's titles after marriage

Mary held the title of Queen consort of France briefly after her marriage.

Mary's claim to the English throne

Mary believed she was the rightful Queen of England because she was a legitimate Tudor descendant and Catholic claimant, challenging Elizabeth's legitimacy.

Year of French king's death

The French king died in 1560, prompting Mary's return to Scotland.

Religious change in Scotland

During Mary's absence, Scotland became Protestant under John Knox's influence.

Mary's unpopularity in Scotland

Mary was unpopular when she returned to Scotland due to her Catholic faith and French influences clashing with Protestant nobles.

Accusation against Mary

Mary was accused of being involved in the murder of her second husband, Lord Darnley.

James crowned King of Scotland

Mary's son James was crowned King of Scotland in 1567.

Mary's fate after James's coronation

After James was crowned, Mary was forced to abdicate and imprisoned.

Mary's flight after abdication

Mary fled to England in 1568 after being forced off the throne.

Protestants' fear of Mary

Protestants feared Mary's presence in England as they saw her as a Catholic figurehead for rebellion against Elizabeth.