Elizabethan England

What accusations did Elizabeth I face in her early life?

Accusations of illegitimacy

Who was Elizabeth I's father?

Henry VIII

Who was Elizabeth I's mother?

Anne Boleyn

What type of education did Elizabeth I receive?

Exceptional humanist education

What languages was Elizabeth I fluent in?

Latin, Greek, French, Italian

What caused Essex's rebellion?

Loss of patronage and political ambition

What qualities did Elizabeth I demonstrate?

Political astuteness, determination, rhetoric

What approach did Elizabeth I prioritize in politics and religion?

'Via media' approach

What was the role of the court during Elizabeth I's reign?

Center of political power; Hub of social life and culture; Constantly moving with the Queen

What was Francis Walsingham known for?

Developing a network of spies

What was the result of courtiers competing for Elizabeth I's favor?

Factions and rivalries emerged

Who was William Cecil?

Chief advisor and Lord High Treasurer

Who was Robert Dudley?

Earl of Leicester and childhood friend

What challenges did Elizabeth I face as a female ruler?

Questioned ability to rule and fears of manipulation

How did Elizabeth I present her gender as a strength?

As a 'Virgin Queen' married to her country

What was the primary function of Parliament during Elizabeth I's reign?

To approve taxation and pass laws

What was the expected role of marriage for Elizabeth I?

To provide a male heir and alliances

What issues did Elizabeth I clash with Parliament over?

Marriage, succession, and freedom of speech

How did Elizabeth I manage Parliament?

Using charm, flattery, and firmness

How did Elizabeth I use her unmarried status?

As a diplomatic tool for marriageability

What was the consequence of Elizabeth I refusing to name an heir?

Created a succession problem and national anxiety

What challenges did Elizabeth I face in her later years?

Costly warfare, bad harvests, and factionalism

Who led the failed rebellion in 1601?

Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex

What was the outcome of Essex's rebellion?

It was crushed, and Essex was executed

What characterized the 'Golden Age' of Elizabethan times?

Relative peace and prosperity; Cultural flourishing; Primarily experienced by the wealthy elite

What was the living standard of the wealthy during Elizabethan times?

Luxury with elaborate clothing and diets

What characterized the life of the poor during Elizabethan times?

Harsh life with subsistence living

What were sumptuary laws?

Laws dictating what classes could wear

Who excommunicated Elizabeth I?

Pope Pius V

What led to the rise of the gentry during Elizabethan times?

Increased trade, exploration, and agriculture

What was significant about the Elizabethan theatre?

Flourishing drama with notable playwrights

What themes did Elizabethan plays explore?

Universal themes and historical narratives

What opposition did the theatre face?

Puritans viewed it as immoral

Who pioneered the English slave trade?

John Hawkins

What concerns did city authorities have about the theatre?

Crowds breeding crime and disease

What were the reasons for the increase in poverty during Elizabethan times?

Population growth, inflation, and enclosure

How were the poor categorized?

'Deserving poor' and 'undeserving poor'

How did the dissolution of monasteries affect the poor?

Removed a traditional source of charity

Why did the government take action regarding poverty?

Poverty was a threat linked to crime

What were the attitudes towards the poor?

Ranged from charity to harsh punishment

How was the Poor Laws funded?

By local taxation on property owners

What was the aim of the Poor Laws?

To provide relief and work for the poor

What did Raleigh promote?

English exploration and colonization

Who was Walter Raleigh?

Courtier and explorer

What was Francis Drake known for?

Privateering and circumnavigation

What was the significance of Drake's circumnavigation?

Brought wealth and boosted English prestige

What was Elizabeth I's primary goal regarding religion?

To unite the nation with a stable settlement

What was the Northern Rebellion?

A Catholic uprising to restore Catholicism

What did the papal bull Regnans in Excelsis declare?

Declared Elizabeth illegitimate and excommunicated her

What was the government's view on Catholic priests arriving from abroad?

Seen as treasonous and a threat

What was the outcome of the Northern Rebellion?

Swiftly crushed by royal forces

What was the attempted colony promoted by Raleigh?

The colony of Roanoke

How did Walsingham's spy network contribute to Elizabeth's security?

Uncovered plots against Elizabeth's life

What were the major Catholic plots against Elizabeth I?

Ridolfi, Throckmorton, Babington plots

What did Puritans believe about the Church of England?

Not sufficiently reformed and needed purification

What elements did the Elizabethan Religious Settlement retain?

Some traditional elements in the church

What was the Elizabethan Religious Settlement?

Established a Protestant church with Elizabeth as Governor

What was Mary's claim to the English throne?

Direct descendant of Henry VIII's sister

How did Elizabeth I respond to open dissent?

Cracked down harshly on recusancy

Why was Mary Queen of Scots imprisoned?

Seen as a threat to Elizabeth's throne

What did Parliament repeatedly petition for regarding Mary?

Her execution due to the threat she posed

What role did Mary play in Catholic conspiracies?

Symbol and focal point for Catholic hopes

What happened to Thomas Seymour in 1549?

He was executed for treason

What was the relationship between Elizabeth and Parliament?

Monarch decided when Parliament met; Needed Parliament's permission for new laws/taxes; Elizabeth viewed Parliament as an inconvenience; Parliament's role was to turn her policies into laws

What was the date of Elizabeth's birth?

7 September 1533

What was the outcome of Lady Jane Grey's claim to the throne?

She failed and Mary was proclaimed Queen

What issues did Elizabeth's government face by the 1590s?

War, plague, poverty, harvest failures

Who did Henry VII marry to secure his rule?

Elizabeth of York

What civil war ended in 1485 with Henry Tudor's victory?

War of the Roses

Who was crowned King after defeating Richard III?

Henry VII

Who succeeded Henry VII as King?

Henry VIII

What was the significance of the marriage between Henry VII and Elizabeth of York?

It cemented control of the country

What was Henry VIII's main issue with Catherine of Aragon?

She only bore him a daughter, Mary

Who became Henry VIII's mistress?

Anne Boleyn

Why did Henry VIII believe he was being punished by God?

He had only one daughter with Catherine

What action did Henry VIII take when the Pope refused his divorce?

He broke from Rome

What did the Act of Succession declare about Elizabeth?

She was the heir to the throne

Who taught Elizabeth during her early life?

Kat Ashley and Roger Ascham

What languages could Elizabeth speak fluently by age 14?

French, Italian, Spanish, and Latin

What athletic skills did Elizabeth possess?

She was an accomplished horsewoman and dancer

Who was Henry VIII's sixth wife?

Catherine Parr

What did the Third Act of Succession state about Elizabeth?

She could only succeed after Edward and Mary

Who succeeded Henry VIII after his death in January 1547?

Edward VI

What happened in summer 1553?

Edward VI died

Why was Elizabeth questioned regarding Thomas Seymour?

He was accused of plotting against Edward

Why was Elizabeth imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1554?

She was suspected of working with rebels

What rebellion was provoked by Mary's marriage to Philip of Spain?

Wyatt rebellion

When did Mary I die?

November 1558

How long was Elizabeth imprisoned in the Tower?

2 months

When was Elizabeth's coronation ceremony?

January 1559

What were the purposes of Elizabeth's progresses?

Travel with her Court to visit nobility; Build relations with subjects; Flatter the nobles; Live in luxury at subjects' expense; Avoid plague by leaving the capital

What were the functions of the Court during Elizabeth's reign?

Social hub; Entertainment center; Political center; Subtle propaganda for the Queen's image

What was the role of patronage in Elizabeth's government?

Favoritism in appointing individuals to important jobs; Created competition and rivalries; Ensured loyalty to Elizabeth; Kept Elizabeth at the heart of the political system

What was the structure and function of the Royal Court during Elizabeth's reign?

Run by the Lord Chamberlain; Located wherever the Queen was; Consisted of 500 nobles, advisors, officials, and servants; Access to the Queen was crucial for politicians; Served as the center of political power

How did Elizabeth manage her Privy Council after becoming Queen?

First Council had 19 members for efficiency; Half from Mary's Council for experience; Half new to reward loyal followers; Gradually moved nobility out for a professional group

What was the significance of William Cecil in Elizabeth's reign?

Most important early appointment; Managed correspondence and advised the Queen; Helped manage political patronage; Maintained a successful working relationship with Elizabeth

How did changes within Parliament affect Elizabeth's control?

MPs became more confident and educated; Complained about her marital status and policies; Elizabeth limited influence by attending sessions and using royal veto; Imprisoned MPs for arguing against her

How did Elizabeth implement a divide and rule strategy in her Privy Council?

Appointed men hostile to each other; Encouraged competition for her affection; Allowed for contrasting advice in decision-making

What happened to Elizabeth's trusted advisors in the 1590s?

They began to die one by one

What were the key functions of the Privy Council?

Coordinated financial departments; Comprised members from nobility, gentry, and church; Elizabeth could choose and dismiss members; Advised and directed policy, but she was not obliged to follow their advice