Early Elizabethan England (B4)

"What was English society like in 1558?

A strict social hierarchy: nobility and gentry at the top, then 'middling' merchants and yeomen, then labourers and the poor; most people lived and worked in the countryside."

"How was England governed in 1558?

Through the monarch, supported by the Privy Council (advisors), Parliament (which granted taxes and laws), the Lords Lieutenant in the counties, and Justices of the Peace locally."

"Why was Elizabeth's legitimacy a problem?

Catholics saw her as illegitimate because they did not recognise her father Henry VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon, so they regarded her parents' marriage as invalid."

"Why was Elizabeth's gender seen as a problem in 1558?

Many believed a woman could not rule effectively or lead in war; she was also expected to marry, which risked giving power to a husband or foreign country."

"Why was the question of marriage difficult for Elizabeth?

Marrying a foreigner risked foreign control, marrying an Englishman risked rivalries, and not marrying left the succession uncertain — so she famously stayed the 'Virgin Queen'."

"What were Elizabeth's strengths as a ruler?

She was highly educated, intelligent, confident, politically skilful and good at managing her image to win loyalty and popularity."

"What financial problems did Elizabeth inherit in 1558?

The Crown was around £300,000 in debt and income was low; previous wars and 'debasement' of the coinage had weakened royal finances."

"What religious challenges faced Elizabeth in 1558?

England was bitterly divided between Catholics and Protestants after rapid religious changes under previous monarchs; she needed to settle religion without civil conflict."

"What was the French threat in 1558?

France was powerful and Catholic, allied with Scotland, and Mary Queen of Scots (with a claim to Elizabeth's throne) was married to the French heir — a danger on England's doorstep."

"Why did Elizabeth need a religious settlement in 1559?

To unite a country split between Catholics and Protestants and prevent religious conflict, she created a 'middle way' most people could accept."

"What was the Act of Supremacy (1559)?

It made Elizabeth 'Supreme Governor' of the Church of England (a deliberately softer title than 'Supreme Head'), confirming royal control over the Church."

"What was the Act of Uniformity (1559)?

It set how worship should look: one Book of Common Prayer, a set church appearance, and compulsory church attendance, with a fine for non-attendance."

"What were the Royal Injunctions (1559)?

Instructions enforcing the settlement — including that each parish display an English Bible and that clergy teach the royal supremacy."

"Why is Elizabeth's settlement called a 'middle way' (via media)?

It combined Protestant beliefs with some Catholic-style features (vestments, ornaments), so most people could accept it without feeling forced to choose sides."

"Who were the Puritans?

Extreme Protestants who wanted to 'purify' the Church of all Catholic features; they objected to ornaments, vestments and the crucifix."

"What was the extent of the Puritan challenge?

Fairly limited early in the reign: disputes over vestments and crucifixes, but Puritans were a small minority and Elizabeth largely held firm."

"What was the Catholic challenge to the settlement?

Some Catholic nobles kept the old faith and the Papacy opposed Elizabeth; the threat grew as foreign Catholic powers (Spain, France) and the Pope worked against her."

"What role did the Papacy and foreign powers play in the Catholic challenge?

The Pope encouraged English Catholics to resist Elizabeth (later excommunicating her in 1570), and Catholic Spain and France were potential backers of plots against her."

"What was Mary, Queen of Scots' claim to the English throne?

As a great-granddaughter of Henry VII and a Catholic, many Catholics saw her as the rightful queen of England instead of Elizabeth."

"Why did relations between Elizabeth and Mary become a problem in 1568-69?

Mary fled to England in 1568 after being forced off the Scottish throne; Elizabeth kept her in custody because a free, Catholic Mary was a magnet for plots."

"What was the Revolt of the Northern Earls (1569-70)?

A rebellion by Catholic northern nobles aiming to free Mary, marry her to the Duke of Norfolk and restore Catholicism; it was crushed and the leaders punished."

"Why was the Revolt of the Northern Earls significant?

It showed the danger Mary posed and the threat from Catholic nobles; it led the Pope to excommunicate Elizabeth in 1570, encouraging further plots."

"What was the Ridolfi Plot (1571)?

A plan involving Spain and the Pope to murder Elizabeth, spark a Catholic rebellion and put Mary on the throne married to Norfolk; it was uncovered and Norfolk executed."

"What was the Throckmorton Plot (1583)?

A plot for a French invasion to free Mary and overthrow Elizabeth; Francis Throckmorton was caught with incriminating papers and executed."

"What was the Babington Plot (1586)?

A plot to assassinate Elizabeth and put Mary on the throne; Walsingham intercepted coded letters proving Mary's involvement, sealing her fate."

"Who was Walsingham and what did he do?

Elizabeth's spymaster (Secretary of State); he ran a network of spies and informers that uncovered the major Catholic plots against the queen."

"Why was Mary, Queen of Scots executed in 1587?

The Babington Plot gave clear evidence she had agreed to Elizabeth's murder; reluctantly, Elizabeth signed her death warrant and Mary was beheaded."

"Why was Mary's execution significant?

It removed the Catholic figurehead for plots, but angered Catholic Spain and helped push Philip II towards launching the Armada."

"What were the causes of rivalry between England and Spain?

Political (Spain was the dominant Catholic power), religious (Protestant England vs Catholic Spain), and commercial (English challenges to Spain's trade and empire)."

"What was privateering?

Government-approved piracy: English sailors like Drake attacked Spanish treasure ships and colonies, sharing the loot with the Crown — which enraged Spain."

"Why were Drake's activities significant?

His raids on Spanish ships and ports brought England wealth and prestige but worsened relations with Spain, helping push the two countries towards war."

"How did the Netherlands worsen Anglo-Spanish relations?

Elizabeth sent the Earl of Leicester (Robert Dudley) with troops in 1585 to help Dutch Protestant rebels against Spanish rule — effectively an act of war against Spain."

"What was the raid on Cadiz (1587)?

Drake attacked the Spanish port of Cadiz, destroying around 30 ships and supplies; he called it 'singeing the King of Spain's beard', delaying the Armada by a year."

"What was the Spanish invasion plan for the Armada (1588)?

A fleet of around 130 ships would sail up the Channel to the Netherlands, pick up the Duke of Parma's army, and ferry it across to invade England."

"Who led the Spanish Armada and why was that a problem?

The Duke of Medina Sidonia — an able administrator but with little naval experience, as the original commander had died shortly before the campaign."

"What was the Spanish 'crescent formation'?

A defensive shape with warships protecting the weaker supply ships in the middle — difficult for the English to attack directly."

"How were fireships used against the Armada?

At Calais the English sent eight burning, empty ships drifting into the anchored Spanish fleet at night; the panicked Spanish cut their anchors and scattered, breaking formation."

"What happened at the Battle of Gravelines (1588)?

With the Spanish formation broken, the faster English ships with better long-range guns attacked closely, damaging the Armada and driving it north."

"How was the Armada finally destroyed?

Forced to flee home around Scotland and Ireland, many Spanish ships were wrecked by storms — the 'Protestant Wind' — so most losses came from weather, not battle."

"Why did England defeat the Spanish Armada?

English advantages (faster ships, better guns, fireships, the weather) combined with Spanish weaknesses (poor planning, inexperienced command, failure to link up with Parma)."

"What was education like in Elizabethan homes?

Children were taught by parents or tutors; boys were prepared for work or further study, while girls were mostly taught household skills (wealthier girls might learn to read)."

"What were Elizabethan schools like?

Petty schools taught basic reading and writing; grammar schools (for boys) taught Latin and the classics; only a small minority went on to university."

"What sports and pastimes were popular in Elizabethan England?

Football, wrestling and hunting for many; bear-baiting and cock-fighting for spectators; the wealthy enjoyed hawking and tennis."

"Why was the theatre important in Elizabethan England?

Purpose-built theatres (e.g. The Globe) became hugely popular entertainment for all classes; Puritans disapproved, but the queen supported the theatre."

"Why did poverty and vagabondage increase under Elizabeth?

Rising population, rising prices (inflation), enclosure of land, falling wages and the closure of the monasteries left more people poor, unemployed and on the move."

"How did attitudes to the poor change in this period?

People increasingly distinguished the 'deserving' poor (who could not work) from the 'idle' poor or vagabonds (who would not), who were seen as a threat and punished."

"How did policies towards the poor change?

Towns and then national laws organised relief: the 1572 and later Poor Laws taxed locals to help the deserving poor while punishing 'sturdy beggars'."

"What factors prompted Elizabethan exploration?

New ship designs and navigation technology, the search for new trade routes and goods, the desire for wealth and adventure, and rivalry with Spain."

"What was the significance of Drake's circumnavigation (1577-80)?

Drake became the first Englishman to sail around the world; he returned with huge plundered Spanish treasure, boosting English pride, wealth and confidence at sea."

"Why did England attempt to colonise Virginia?

To find wealth and trade, to create a base for raiding Spanish ships, and to spread English influence; Sir Walter Raleigh organised and promoted the venture."

"Why did the first Virginia settlement fail?

Poor planning and supplies, the wrong type of settlers (few farmers), conflict with Indigenous peoples, disease and bad relations meant the Roanoke colony could not survive."

"EXAM SKILL: What question types appear in the Elizabethan paper (Booklet B)?

Four questions: (1a & 1b) describe TWO features, (2) explain why something happened (causation), then EITHER question 3 OR question 4 — a 16-mark judgement question. Marked out of 32."

"EXAM SKILL: How do you answer a 'Describe two features' question (4 marks)?

Give two features. For EACH: state the feature (1 mark) and add one piece of supporting detail (1 mark). Keep it short — two sentences each is enough. Don't explain or analyse."

"EXAM SKILL: How do you answer an 'Explain why' causation question (12 marks)?

Write 2-3 developed paragraphs, each giving a different reason. Two prompt points are given — use them BUT add your own point too (required). Explain HOW each reason caused the outcome with specific detail."

"EXAM SKILL: How do you answer the 16-mark judgement question (Q3 or Q4)?

'How far do you agree…' — argue BOTH sides using specific evidence, then reach a clear, supported judgement. Use the two prompt points plus your own, and make sure your conclusion actually answers 'how far'."

"EXAM SKILL: Why must you always add your own point in 12- and 16-mark answers?

The stimulus points are provided to help, but the mark scheme PENALISES answers that use only the given points. You must include at least one well-developed idea of your own."

"EXAM SKILL: What is the single most common mistake in Elizabethan answers?

Writing everything you know ('knowledge dumping') instead of selecting evidence that answers the question. Always make your knowledge prove a point relevant to what is being asked."