History - Elizabethan England

Elizabethan Court & Government -

What was the Privy Council + its role?

A group of Elizabeth’s main advisors who helped govern England, including decisions on religion, foreign policy, + law + order.

Elizabethan Court & Government -

Who were Elizabeth I’s key ministers?

William Cecil (Lord Burghley), Robert Dudley (Earl of Leicester), Francis Walsingham, + Robert Devereux (Earl of Essex).

Elizabethan Court & Government -

What was the Royal Court?

A mobile political + social centre made up of nobles + advisors surrounding the monarch, symbolising her power.

Elizabethan Court & Government -

Why was marriage a political issue for Elizabeth?

People feared instability w/out an heir; marriage could strengthen alliances / cause religious conflict.

Challenges to Elizabeth’s Rule -

What challenges did Elizabeth face in 1558?

She was a young, unmarried woman w/ religious divisions, economic problems, + threats from abroad.

Challenges to Elizabeth’s Rule -

Why was Mary, Queen of Scots a threat?

She was a Catholic w/ a legitimate claim to the English throne + was a figurehead for Catholic plots.

Challenges to Elizabeth’s Rule -

What was the Northern Rebellion (1569)?

A revolt by Catholic nobles (Northumberland + Westmorland) aiming to replace Elizabeth w/ Mary, Queen of Scots.

Challenges to Elizabeth’s Rule -

What was the Ridolfi Plot (1571)?

A plan to assassinate Elizabeth + place Mary on the throne, supported by Spain + the Pope.

Challenges to Elizabeth’s Rule -

What was the Babington Plot (1586)?

A Catholic plot involving coded letters sent to Mary, which led to her execution in 1587.

Religious Settlement + Conflict -

What was the Religious Settlement (1559)?

A compromise to establish the Church of England, including the Act of Supremacy + Act of Uniformity.

Religious Settlement + Conflict -

What was the Act of Supremacy (1559)?

Made Elizabeth the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

Religious Settlement + Conflict -

What was the Act of Uniformity (1559)?

Set the rules for church services + made attendance at Church of England services compulsory.

Religious Settlement + Conflict -

Who were the Puritans?

Radical Protestants who wanted to remove all Catholic elements from the Church of England.

Religious Settlement + Conflict -

How did Elizabeth deal w/ Catholics?

Fines for recusancy, banning Catholic priests, + eventually executing key plotters like Campion.

Elizabethan Foreign Policy -

Why did Elizabeth go to war w/ Spain?

Religious differences, piracy, support for Dutch rebels, + the Spanish plots against her.

Elizabethan Foreign Policy -

What happened during the Spanish Armada (1588)?

Spain attempted to invade England; English naval tactics + bad weather led to a decisive English victory.

Elizabethan Foreign Policy -

What was the significance of the defeat of the Armada?

Strengthened Elizabeth’s position, boosted national pride, + weakened Spain’s naval dominance.

Elizabethan Foreign Policy -

How did Elizabeth support the Dutch revolt?

Sent money, soldiers, + leaders like the Earl of Leicester to help fight against Spanish control.

Society & the Golden Age -

What was the ‘Great Chain of Being’?

The belief that everyone had a fixed place in society, w/ God + monarch at the top.

Society & the Golden Age -

How did education change under Elizabeth?

Increased access to grammar schools for boys, though most of the population remained illiterate.

Society & the Golden Age -

What were the causes of poverty in Elizabethan England?

Population growth, rising prices, unemployment, enclosure, + dissolution of the monasteries.

Society & the Golden Age -

What was the 1601 Poor Law?

A system to support the deserving poor through local toaxes + punish the idle poor.

Society & the Golden Age -

Why was exploration encouraged during Elizabeth’s reign?

Desire for new trade routes, wealth, glory, + to rival Spain + Portugal.

Society & the Golden Age -

Who was Sir Francis Drake?

A famous English explorer + privateer who circumnavigated the globe + raided Spanish treasure ships.

The Cultural ‘Golden Age’ -

Why is Elizabethan England known as a ‘Golden Age’?

Advancements in theatre, literature, exploration, + the visual arts under a stable reign.

The Cultural ‘Golden Age’ -

What was the role of the theatre in Elizabethan society?

A popular form of entertainment for all classes, supported by noble patrons like the Earl of Leicester.

The Cultural ‘Golden Age’ -

Name a famous playwright from Elizabethan England.

William Shakespeare - his plays reflected themes of power, identity, + politics.

Hardwick Hall - Background & Patron -

Who built Hardwick Hall + when?

Bess of Hardwick (Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury), between 1590 - 1597.

Hardwick Hall - Background & Patron -

What was Bess of Hardwick’s background?

She was born into a modest gentry family but rose through four wealthy marriages to become one of the richest women in Elizabethan England.

Hardwick Hall - Background & Patron -

Why did Bess of Hardwick build Hardwick Hall?

To display her wealth, status, + loyalty to Elizabeth I, + as a family seat for the Cavendish family.

Hardwick Hall - Architecture & Design -

What is the architectural style of Hardwick Hall?

Elizabethan prodigy house - grand, symmetrical, influenced by Renaissance ideas.

Hardwick Hall - Architecture & Design -

What famous saying is linked to Hardwick Hall’s windows?

“Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall” - referring to its large, expensive glass windows.

Hardwick Hall - Architecture & Design -

What do the initials “ES” represent, carved into the building’s roofline?

“Elizabeth Shrewsbury” - a symbol of Bess’s pride, status, + identity.

Hardwick Hall - Architecture & Design -

What feature of Hardwick Hall showed wealth + modernity?

Extensive use of glass, symmetrical design, + long gallery - all luxury features at the time.

Hardwick Hall - Layout & Social Function -

What was the purpose of the long gallery at Hardwick Hall?

For entertainment, displaying tapestries + art, walking during bad weather, + impressing guests.

Hardwick Hall - Layout & Social Function -

How did the layout of Hardwick Hall reflect Elizabethan social hierarchy?

The most important + private rooms were located on the upper floors, reserved for the family + honoured guests.

Hardwick Hall - Layout & Social Function -

Hardwick Hall - Symbolism & Political Context -

How did Hardwick Hall demonstrate loyalty to Elizabeth I?

It included royal symbols, portraits of Elizabeth, + followed styles associated w/ court architecture.

Hardwick Hall - Symbolism & Political Context -

Why was building a ‘prodigy house’ politically significant?

These houses were often used to host the monarch + display loyalty; they showed noble status + support for the Queen.

Hardwick Hall - Symbolism & Political Context -

How does Hardwick Hall reflect Elizabethan values?

Emphasis on status, order, wealth, lineage, + loyalty to the Crown.

Hardwick Hall - Decoration & Furnishings -

What types of decoration were used in Hardwick Hall?

Lavish tapestries, portraits, carved woodwork, + expensive furniture imported from Europe.

Hardwick Hall - Symbolism & Political Context -

What was the purpose of such rich furnishings?

To show Bess’s taste, education, + elite status; also to impress visitors + reflect power.

Hardwick Hall - Interpretations & Historical Significance -

Why is Hardwick Hall historically important today?

It is one of the best-preserved Elizabethan houses, showing how the elite lived + projected power in the 16th century.

Hardwick Hall - Interpretations & Historical Significance -

What does Hardwick Hall tell us about the role of women in Elizabethan England?

Bess of Harwick defied traditional roles by becoming a powerful, wealthy woman w/ political influence.

Hardwick Hall - Interpretations & Historical Significance -

How does Hardwick Hall reflect changes in Elizabethan architecture?

It shows a move from defensive to decorative buildings, using symmetry + Renaissance influences.