GCSE AQA History - Elizabethan England

Elizabeth's Parents

Elizabeth's Parents

Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII

Anne Boleyn

Accused of adultery and executed for treason before Elizabeth's 3rd birthday.

Thomas Seymour

Husband to Katherine Parr (Henry's 6th Wife) and executed for treason after rumours spread that they were to marry.

Mary I

Became Queen After Edwards death and feared threats and rebellions. Imprisoned Elizabeth in the Tower Of London after she was accused of starting a rebellion.

Parliament

Made up of the house of lords and house of commons. Had influence over tax and was responsible for passing laws. The queen decided when to call it.

Privy Council

Took responsibility to the day to day running of the country. Elizabeth had to appoint the most powerful landowners to avoid the risk of rebellion. It was hard for Elizabeth to go against the _ _.

Secretary Of State

Leader of the privy council.

Justices Of The Peace

Ensured laws were effectively enforced. 1 JP could imprison someone but multiple were needed to sentence someone to death.

William Cecil

Secretary Of State twice and Elizabeth's most trusted adviser. Played a key role in Poor Laws and Catholic rivalry.

Francis Walsingham

Served As Secretary Of State and one of Elizabeth's closest advisers. Known as Elizabeth's 'Spymaster' he was said to have 'eyes and ears' everywhere. Took lead in foreign rivals and in the trial and execution of Mary Queen Of Scots.

Succession crisis

There was no Heir to the throne after Elizabeth making it unclear who would be ruler. This issue was raised in 1562 when Elizabeth nearly died of smallpox.

Mary, Queen Of Scots

Next in line to the English throne and was Catholic, a major threat for Elizabeth.

Taxation

The government needed more money but _ would make the population very unhappy

Foreign affairs

Relations with other countries

Marriage

It was used for political deals, Elizabeth risked losing her power over England but could secure an heir to the throne.

Elizabeth's suitors

Robert Dudley, Francis, Duke of Anjou and Alencon and King Philip II of Spain.

Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester

The queens childhood friend and many assumed they would marry. He was accused of killing his wife making him an invaluable marriage candidate.

Francis, Duke of Anjou

The French king's brother and could cause an alliance with France however the risk of her not bearing a child causing England to be under French rule was too big.

King Phillip II Of Spain

One of the most powerful men in the world as well as one of the wealthiest. Her brother in law due to him being married to Mary I.

Why Elizabeth didn't marry

She did not want to give up the English throne to a King as she claimed she was 'already married to her country'.

Robert Devereux

Earl Of Essex, Very popular with the Queen and gained the sweet wine monopoly. Rivalled to Cecil. He quarrelled with the Queen over Ireland and she hit him, causing him to almost draw his sword.

Why rebellions failed

- Spies
- Unconvincing alternatives
- Punishments
- Religious Settlement
- A skilled politician

Religious Settlement

Elizabeth's Religious Policy meant Catholics could remain Catholics as long as they do not express it in public.

Punishments

Elizabeth quickly tortured and put to death any traitors and many people feared this.

The Great Chain Of Being

Used to show the important of beings with god and angels at the top with humans followed by animals and then wildlife.

Social status

Monarch -> Nobility -> Gentry -> Peasants.

Fashions

- Banquets with foreign foods
- White face powders
- Ruff (Worn around the neck)

Housing Fashions

- Symmetry
- H or E shaped houses
- Glass and Plaster work
- Glass
- Chimneys (Blocks of 3-5)

Theatres

Very popular and cheap form of entertainment making it extremely popular with William Shakespeare's plays being very popular.

Why was theatre unpopular

Crime and drunken people made it dangerous.
Puritans found it sinful.

Tiring Rooms

The dressing room in the theater.

Pit

Where ordinary people sat and was open to the weather.

Stage

The area where actors performed. A door was present for actors to enter and exit.

Heavens

The roof over the stage used for sound and visual effects.

Galleries

Seated and covered areas for the richer members to sit.

Art

Portraits were very popular and had a lot of symbolism. Used as propaganda for the queen.

Exploration

Europeans discovered new lands, England was a superpower at the time.

Theatre

Hugely popular as a cheap form of entertainment.

Buildings

Elizabethan stately homes were build to impress the queen and other nobles. They were not designed with defense in mind for the first time.

Literature

Poetry and Shakespeare's plays were very popular including many references to ancient Greece or Rome.

Education

Mainly male dominated however some females did receive a limited education.

Science and Technology

Breakthroughs in navigation and astronomy and a growing understanding of magnetism. Books and Pamphlets were widespread leading to a faster spread of information.

Vagabonds

Poor who did not have work and relied on charity.

Bad Harvests

1594-1598 causing food shorateges. Many people were unemployed after landowners wanted to keep sheep instead of crops. Also caused large inflation.

Types Of Poor

Deserving Poor (The poor who cannot find work)
Undeserving Poor (The poor who did not want to work and had robbed for money)
Idle poor (Poor who couldn't be bothered to work)

Punishments To The Poor

1) Whipping
2) Hole Burnt In Ear
3) Hanged

Poor Law

1601, Stated the wealthy should be taxed to pay for the poor and vulnerable. The idle poor were still punished.

Issues With The Poor Laws

They were not used consistently and did not affect all poor. It also caused debates over what county people were a part of.

Francis Drake's circumnavigation

1577-1580

Francis Drake

Known as El Draque by the Spanish and was knighted.
Died in 1596 of dysentery.

Lateen

Triangular sails allowing ships to move faster and easier to steer.

Astrolabe

Allowed sailors to judge where they are and lead to better compasses.

Sir Walter Raleigh

Sent by the Queen to colonise any land not ruled by a christian and in return the Queen received 1/5th of the gold and silver found there.

What Francis Drake did

Raiding Spanish ships and ports resulted in a lot of gold and slavery generated a lot of money. Trading companies also allowed for more profit.

Causes Of Conflict Between England and Spain

- Phillip II had been married to Elizabeth's Sister and wished to marry Elizabeth but she did not agree.
- England was Protestant
- The Pope called for all Catholics to challenge Elizabeth
- Elizabeth helped Protestant rebels
- Drake looted Spanish ports and ships

When was Drake's circumnavigation?

1577-1580

What was Drake's original plan for his Circumnavigation?

Explore the Atlantic coast of Southern South America, sail through the Straits of Magellan and up the Pacivic coast to investigate trading, conquest and settlement opportunities in areas occupied by the Spanish, returning along the same route.

How had the situation with Spain changed by the time of Drake’s circumnavigation?

Spain was persuing an aggressive policy in the Netherlands, English sailors were inspired by reports of wealthy Spanish and Portuguese colonies.

What was the Strait of Anian? Why was Drake interested in it?

It was a possible Northwest sea passage linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Drake wanted to investigate this claim as it would open up trade and speed up the time taken to travel between East Asia and Europe

Who were Drake's backers?

The Hawkins brothers, the Earl of Leicester, Sir Francis Walsingham, Sir Christopher Hatton and Queen Elizabeth (in secret)

Who was the voyage kept secret from because he was anxious to prevent any breach with Spain?

William Cecil, Lord Burghley

What were Drake's crew told about the voyage?

That they were travelling to Egypt to collect a cargo of dried fruit.

How many ships left Plymouth with Drake?

(5) the Pelican, the Elizabeth, the Marigold, the Benedict and the Swan.

What was the name of Drake's flagship?

The Pelican (Later the Golden Hind)

Why did Drake rename the Pelican to the Golden Hind?

He renamed it in honour of his sponsor, Sir Christopher Hatton whose family crest was a female dear (hind)

How many crew members were on the Golden Hind?

80

How did Drake gain the Christopher?

He captured the Spanish vessel off Morocco, renamed it and gave the Spanish crew the Benedict

When did Drake leave Plymouth?

15th November 1577 but a storm forced them back for repairs. They left on the 13th December.

What did Drake gain when he captured the Santa Maria off the west coast of Africa?

The ship (which he renamed the Mary), a collection of maps, a rutter, an astrolabe and the ships captin Nuno da Silva who had considerable knowledge of navigation in the Americas.

When and why did Drake lose the Swan and the Christopher?

Storms off the coast of Brazil scattered the fleet. When it reassembled in May 1578 Drake sank the Swan and abandoned the Christopher due to damage.

What happened while Drake and his crew were waiting to sail around Cape Horn?

His relationship with his crew became strained, Doughty questioned Drake's authority and Drake accused him of mutiny and treason, he was beheaded on 2nd July 1578

When did Drake's fleet (now only containing the Marigold, the Elizabeth and the Golden Hind) pass through the Strait of Magellan?

August 1578

What was the consequence of the storms faced in the pacific after passing the Strait of Magellan?

The Golden Hind was blown south resulting in the discovery of Drake's passage between Cape Horn and Antarctica. The Marigold was never seen again and the Elizabeth turned home.

What did Drake capture at Valparaiso on the pacific coast?

Spanish ships along with their more accurate navigation charts and a ship carrying silver.

What happened at Mocha Island?

Drake's landing party were attaced by the indigenous Mapuche people, he and Diego were wounded.

Which Spanish ship heading to Spain did Drake persue?

Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion

What did Drake gain from the Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion?

£480 million worth of treasure (in today's money)

How did Drake's plans change after capturing the Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion?

He now wanted to get his treasure safely back to England, so he headed for North America for safe anchorage

What did Drake gain from Spanish ships on his way to North America?

charts and useful information from officers who had experience of crossing the Pacific to the Philippines

What did Drake find in June 1579?

A protected natural harbour. Here he met the indigenous Miwok people of North America and named the area 'Nova Albion' claiming the land for Queen Elizabeth.

Which way did Drake decide to return home after capturing the Nuesta Senora de la Concepcion?

The Pacific Route

When did Drake set off for the long voyage home?

23rd July 1579

What did Drake buy in the Maluku Islands on his way home?

Six tons of cloves to sell at home.

When did Drake return to Plymouth with 59 crew members and a valuable cargo of treasure and spices?

26th September 1579

How did Elizabeth I respond to Drake's return home?

She had him knighted on his own ship

What did Philip II of Spain do as a result of Drake's trip?

He reinforced his territories with more colonists and troops, causing English ambitions to turn towards North America

What did Drake give Elizabeth I on his return?

- A diary covering the entire three year voyage
- A map showing the route he had taken
- 46 parcels of treasure, 650 bars of silver, coin wighing nearly 23,000lbs and 100 lbs of gold

How much wealth did Drake distribute among his crew?

£40,000

What were the consequences of the voyage for Drake?

- He became one of the richest men in the country (Elizabeth gave him an extra £10,000)
- He bought a house in London
- He appeared in court, visiting the queen often and giving her presents
He gave presents to the Chancellor and secretaries of state
- Given permission to buy Buckland Abbey in Devon
- He was knighted

How did members of the onbiligy view Drake?

They saw him as a pirate

What did Fransico de Zarata say about Drake's maps?

that 'no one who uses them as a guide can possibly go astray'

What were Drake’s rutters like?

They had drawings of coastlines accompanied by written descriptions, details of places visited, how to approach harbours, nature of the currents, depth of water and features on the sea bed.
He also corrected many errors on existing European maps including a more accurate plan of the coast of Chilie and was the first European to chart and navigate the south coast of Java

What was Drake's main achievement?

He had completed the second Circumnavigation of the globe by a European (Magellan had been the first but had died on the voyage)

What was Drake's reputation in Spain?

He was known as El Draque (the Dragon), a pirate and heretic who operated outside the normal maritime and political rules. Many in Spain believed he was a servant of the devil as a rseult of the Protestant services held on the Golden Hind and the plundering of churches in Spanish colonies. HOWEVER individual Spaniards who met him reported he was likeable and friendly.

What was Drake's reputation like in England?

It varied by social class. The wider public saw Drake as a hero, he was the subject of popular ballads.
Those who had sailed with him saw him as a cruel tyrant.
The nobility often disliked him for being from a lowly family and did not approve his knighthood.