Early Elizabethan England

What was Elizabethan England like?

90% lived in countryside

10% lived in towns

Elizabethan Society

queen

Nobility - Major landowners

Gentry- landowners

Yeoman

Farmers

poor (landless/labouring did not own or rent land and had to work to provide for themselves)

Vagrant- moved place to place looking for work)

Elizabethan towns

Merchants(owned properties)

Professionals (lawyers…)

Business owners

craftsmen

Elizabethan Government - she did not have full power (she relied on parliaments approval to pass laws and raise taxes)

Court - noblemen who acted as the monarchs advisor(displayed her wealth and power)

Privy Council- Members of nobility who helped govern the country. They monitored parliament and oversaw law and order and security.

Parliament- Advised the government, made up of house of lords(noblemen and bishops) and house of commons(elected and taxes)

Justices of the peace- Land owners appointed by government to keep law and order locally , heard court cases.

Lord’s lieutenant - noblemen who oversaw enforcement of policies in a local area

Problems facing Elizabeth when she became queen

• Age & experience: Elizabeth was only 21 and inexperienced, so she relied on her Privy Council, especially William Cecil.

• Money: England was £300,000 in debt, limiting Elizabeth’s ability to fight wars or spend money.

• Legitimacy: The Pope did not recognise Henry VIII’s marriage to Anne Boleyn, so some Catholics doubted Elizabeth was the rightful queen.

• Religion: Elizabeth was Protestant, but much of England remained Catholic, causing religious tension.

• Marriage: Elizabeth was unmarried, creating worries about succession, and any marriage risked unrest. (women should follow men)

Problems facing England

• Finance: £300,000 debt, £290,000 income, high interest rates, inflation from devalued currency, and loss of income after Mary I sold Crown lands.

• Foreign threat (France & Scotland): France was wealthy and allied with Scotland through the Auld Alliance, threatening England from the north.

• Mary, Queen of Scots: Had French support, was married to the French king, and claimed the English throne, challenging Elizabeth’s legitimacy.

• Calais: Loss of Calais, an important trading port, damaged England’s trade and international prestige.

How Elizabeth solved financial problems?

• Cost-cutting: Elizabeth hoarded income and cut household expenses by half to reduce spending.

• Raising money: She sold Crown lands, raising about £120,000.

• Debt reduced: By 1574, the Crown was out of debt.

Challenges abroad in 1588

France - France was wealthier and allied with Scotland through the Auld Alliance, threatening England from the north as french soldiers were kept in Scotland(Mary Queen of Scots married to French King). Also ther military resources were no longer stretched as their war with Spain ended.

Money- England could not afford a war with France, Scotland or Spain.

England lost Calais and there was pressure to regain it.

How Elizabeth dealt with challenges abroad in 1588?

signed treaty of Troyes in 1564 with France(Calais).

Placed Mary queen of Scots in custody in England

Importance of religion

Religious division

Church teachings guided people’s morals and behaviour, and many believed that attending church reduced time spent in purgatory.

Protestant reformation - King Edward - Mary (Catholic)

Elizabeth wanted stability

Differences in religious beliefs

Pope head - no pope

Bread and wine become body and blood - representation

7 sacraments - 2 sacraments

Latin services - English

decorated Church- plain and simple

Latin Bible - English

Religious settlement

• Act of Supremacy: Elizabeth became Supreme Governor of the Church of England; all clergy and officials swore allegiance to her.

• Act of Uniformity: Set how churches should look and types of services that could be held.

• Royal Injunctions: Instructions from Cecil on how to worship God; Bible in English allowed and guidance on how services should be conducted.

Impact of Religious settlement

• Catholics pleased: Book of Common Prayer was vague, so meanings could be interpreted differently; priests wore special robes; some fake miracles seemed real (e.g., transubstantiation).

• Protestants pleased: Bible in English; fake miracles exposed as false.

• Enforcement: Visitations checked churches; anyone refusing reported to Privy Council; fines for disobedience.

• Oath of Supremacy: 8,000 priests took the oath; one bishop complied, the rest stepped down, 27 new bishops.

The role of the Church

• Parish priests: Preached the government’s message; needed a license.

• Church courts: Handled marriage and sexual offences.

• Legitimised Elizabeth’s rule, encouraged loyalty, and enforced religious settlement.

Parrish clergy conducted services and offered guidance funded by taxes/tithes (10%)

Threat from the Puritans

Radical Protestants who wanted to purify Christianity by removing anything not mentioned in the Bible.

Wanted their own church not ran by the Queen.

• Crucifixes: Puritans opposed crosses, but Elizabeth wanted churches familiar. She demanded a crucifix in each church; some bishops threatened to resign, but Elizabeth backed her decision.

• Vestments: Elizabeth wanted priests to wear special vestments, but not all clergy complied. Matthew Parker, Archbishop, issued guidelines and an exhibition showing how to wear them; clergy who refused were sacked, and eventually the vestments were accepted.

Threat from the Pope

• Counter-Reformation: The Catholic Church encouraged war against Protestants.

• 1566 Papal instructions: Catholics were told not to attend Church of England services; refusing could lead to prison.

• Elizabeth’s response: She ordered no investigations because she did not want martyrs; only a small number refused to attend.

Excommunicated Elizabeth

Revolt of the Northern Earls

• Cause: Northern Earls wanted to restore Catholicism and were worried because Elizabeth had not named an heir.

• Plot: They planned for Mary, Queen of Scots, to marry the Duke of Norfolk and become queen.

• Rebellion (1569): Rebels took Durham Cathedral and held a Catholic mass, but most nobles remained loyal.

• Crushed: Troops under the Earl of Sussex defeated the rebellion; hundreds executed publicly. Support from Spain never arrived,

• Impact- Mary QOS could not be trusted, and the Pope excommunicated Elizabeth, while her control in the North was strengthened.

Religous threat from France

More protestants in France led to religious war in 1562 - queen helped France protestants in hope to return Calais but this failed

Threat from Spain

• Philip II: Elizabeth rejected marriage to Philip; he banned English cloth imports and worried about the spread of Protestantism.

• Netherlands unrest: People grew unhappy with Spanish interference; Philip brought the Spanish Inquisition, punishing anyone not Catholic.

• Revolt: Catholics and Protestants united against Spain, but the Duke of Alba crushed the rebellion with 10,000 men and set up the Council of Troubles, angering English Protestants.

• Refugees in England: Rebels fled to England (Sea Beggars); Elizabeth sheltered them and kept money intended to pay Alba’s troops. This eld to the Spanish Fury.

Threat from Mary Queen of Scots

• Mary, Queen of Scots: Henry VIII’s granddaughter, Catholic, and Queen of Scotland; many nobles supported her claim to the English throne.

• No concerns about her legitimacy.

• Supported a rebellion against Mary of Guise in Scotland, who ruled for Mary’s daughter.

• Mary’s actions: Mary QOS gave up her claim to the Scottish throne but wanted to be named Elizabeth’s heir.

• Exile: After political struggles, she was exiled to England and placed under house arrest.

Ridolfi Plot

Cause / Events

As a result of the northern revolt, Elizabeth treated Catholics with suspicion.

Ridolfi was a banker who plotted to murder the queen, start a Spanish invasion and put Mary on the throne who would marry the Duke of Norfolk.

1571 - Ridolfi met with the Pope and King Phillip and he pledged 10, 000 me .

Cecil uncovered the plot and Norfolk was executed but Elizabeth refused to kill Mary.

Throckmorton Plot

French Duke would invade England and make Mary queen. Phillip paid and the Pope approved. Throckmorton was to pass the letters between Mary and the plotters.

Walsingham’s spies found papers and he uncovered the plot. Throckmorton was arrested and tortured.

This showed the Catholic threat was real- 11,000 imprisoned.

Babington Plot

Duke of guise to invade and place Mary on the throne.

Babington wrote to Mary about the conspiracy and Walsingham intercepted these letters showing Mary was involved. Babington sent to death and Mary was beheaded so no catholic heir.

31 priests executed.

Walsingham spy network

He had spies in every town (some well trained/informants)

He used torture.

He used spies abroad.

He used agent provocateurs (people suspected of plotting encouraged to break the law so they could be arrested)

130 priests died.

Why Mary QoS execution was significant?

Anointed monarch so this set a precedent.

Angered Phillip and gave him reason to attach England (she left her claim to the throne to Phillip).

Increased civil war.

Spain vs England

Netherlands

• England and Spain saw each other as threats, and Philip II was involved in plots against Elizabeth I.

• Spain ruled the Netherlands, but many Dutch were Protestant, creating tension with Catholic Spain.

• Philip II set up the Council of Troubles, led by the Duke of Alba, which persecuted Protestants.

• This made Elizabeth view Spain as hostile, so England secretly supported Dutch rebels, including the Sea Beggars, by giving safe passage, money, and volunteers led by John Casimir.

• Spain could not afford the war, its troops mutinied, causing the Spanish Fury.

• The Pacification of Ghent (1576) united Catholics and Protestants and forced Spanish troops to leave, though Spain restored control by 1584 under the Duke of Parma.

Spain vs England

commercial

• English merchants wanted new trade markets in Russia, China, and the New World.

• Spain controlled the New World and required a licence to trade, which was difficult for the English to obtain.

• Many English traders ignored Spanish rules and attacked Spanish ships instead.

• Spanish control of the Netherlands limited important trade routes used by England.

• Elizabeth I licensed privateers, allowing them to attack Spanish ships and share the profits.

Why England and Spain close to war?

English support for rebels.

Privateers attacks on Spanish ships (Drake).

Spanish plots.

Drake

• Drake was a privateer who circumnavigated the world.

• He captured £400,000 worth of Spanish gold and silver, weakening Spain.

• Elizabeth I knighted him, angering Philip II.

• Philip saw Drake’s actions as a threat to Spanish interests and thought Elizabeth needed to be removed.

Causes of the Armada

• Religion: Elizabeth was excommunicated by the Pope, who pardoned anyone invading England; she opposed Catholic plots and settlements.

• Drake: Attacked Spanish ships, destroyed 30 ships, circumnavigated the world, and attacked Portugal; knighted by Elizabeth, angering Philip II.

• Netherlands: Elizabeth intervened directly via the Treaty of Nonsuch (1585), promising support to Dutch rebels if Spain invaded.

• Military support: Sent Sir Robert Dudley with limited funds and later 7,400 men under Dudley and the Earl of Leicester, who became Governor-General.

• Mary, Queen of Scots: Executed, increasing tensions with Spain.

The armada events

• Spanish Armada: 130 ships, 30,000 men, led by Duke of Medina-Sidonia, planned to join the Duke of Parma.

• Armada spotted in the English Channel; beacons warned England.

• Elizabeth I gave a powerful speech.

• English ships sailed out, using faster cannonballs and fireships to scatter the Armada.

• Duke of Parma’s ships did not arrive in time.

• Armada defeated and scattered by winds.

• Elizabeth commissioned a new portrait to celebrate the victory.

Why the Armada failed?

• Poor communication: No direct contact between the two dukes; messages sent by boat, causing delays.

• Bad supplies: Food stored in weak wooden barrels; Cádiz raid destroyed some supplies; delays caused food to rot.

• Elizabeth’s advice: Listened to John Hawkins, ensured ships were faster, more maneuverable, and left key decisions to commanders.

• Philip II ignored military advice, relying on slow, poorly equipped ships.

• English advantages: Faster ships, better cannons, fireships, and effective tactics (holding back Spanish cannonballs).

• Weather: Storms helped destroy Spanish ships, aiding English victory.

Impact of the Armada

• Boosted English confidence: Encouraged further exploration and trade.

• Supported Dutch rebels: Gave hope to Protestants fighting Spain.

• Seen as a Protestant victory: Viewed as God’s favour; Elizabeth commissioned a portrait celebrating the win.

• “God blew and they were scattered.”

• Impact on Spain: Defeat damaged Spanish power and wealth, marking the decline of Spain.

Purpose of Education

Prepare for their expected roles in life.

15-20% could read and write.

Schools had fees.

Changing attitudes about Education

Humanists argued it was important and valuable

Protestants argued that people should be able to read scripture.

The growth of the printing press meant books were cheaper.

The growth of trade meant basic literacy and numeracy was needed to make transactions

Parish School

Grammar School

• Children up to age 10 were educated by the Church.

• They were taught basic literacy, such as reading and writing.

• Most pupils were children of farmers and craftsmen.

• Boys aged 10–14 attended fee-paying schools usually from gentry or merchant families.

• Subjects included the Bible, Latin, Greek, and French.

• Discipline was strict, and punishments such as caning were used.

Petty Schools

Dame Schools

Children up to 10 from the homes of tutors.(poor)

Girls - basic education to run a home (baking and basic medical care)

Private tutors

Universities

• Members of the nobility were educated privately, often by tutors.

• They were taught languages, history, government, music, horse riding, and sports.

• From ages 14–15, some boys went to Oxford or Cambridge.

• Subjects studied included geometry, music, astronomy, law, medicine, and theology (for those training to become lawyers or clergy).

How did education change?

New grammar schools meant children could be taught independently.

Literacy improve din towns due to printing press and trade and desire to read scripture.

Leisure

nobility enjoyed hunting which took place on horseback with birds (men and women).

Poor like farmers enjoyed football which involved getting a ball into the other teams goal which could be far away (violent and men could be killed). Also wrestling and betting on the outcome.

The poor had little time for leisure working 6 days a week and church on Sundays

Spectator sports

Baiting- watching animals fight to the death like attacking chained bears and bets were made.

Cock fighting - cockerels attacked eachother using metal spurs and their beaks. Special arenas were made and money was bet on this.

Literature and theatre

New literature written.

Creative writing was popular.

Mystery plays that brought Bible to life.

Theatre enjoyed by all classes (2000 people wait to see performance) The poor watched from the pit closer to the stage

Music and dancing

Played instruments like lutes. The lower class played bagpipes.

The wealthy employed musicians.

The lower class would listen to music at fairs.

The poor

Spent 80% of income on bread

40% of the poor were under 16

Why was poverty increasing?

The population grew by 35% increasing the demand for food driving up prices.

Towns and cities grew fast so rents increased.

Bad harvest reduced food supply

Demand for land increased so landlords charged higher prices. - enclosure of land led to unemployment as it denied the use of common land to grow their own crops.

Why was there an increase in Vagabonds?

• People without jobs were homeless and roamed the country begging for money.

• In cities, work was harder to find.

• Trade declined and was affected by poor relations with Spain.

Condition in towns

could not keep up with demand for housing

The impotent and able bodied poor

could not work due to illness or a disability/ could work but did not have a job.

They were given poor relief by the residents who paid a poor rate.

Government action taken poor

• Poor Rate – A tax organised by Justices of the Peace paid by those who were employed and used to look after the needy.

• 1563 Statute of Artificers – Ensured poor relief was collected by allowing Justices of the Peace to fine or imprison those who refused to pay the poor rate.

• 1572 Vagabonds Act – Aimed to deter vagrancy. Vagrants were to be whipped and have a hole drilled through their ear, or they could be imprisoned. This helped establish a national system of poor rates.

• 1576 Poor Relief Act – Distinguished between the able-bodied poor and the impotent poor. Justices of the Peace provided wool and raw materials so the able-bodied could make goods to sell. Those who refused to work could be sent to prison.

Exploration

• Walter Raleigh was an explorer and courtier of Elizabeth I.

• He helped popularise tobacco in England.

• In 1584, he was given money to explore and settle land in North America.

• He organised and funded these exploration attempts.

Causes of exploration

• Navigation improved, with Thomas Harriot (1584) developing a simple way to use the sun to calculate sailing direction. Printed books described voyages and journeys were recorded so others could follow.

• Galleons were larger than traditional ships, could carry more cargo and supplies, used faster and more manoeuvrable sails, and had cannons that could fire from all sides.

• English merchants looked for new opportunities as conflict with Spain disrupted wool and cloth trade with the Netherlands. They also exploited the slave trade, transporting Africans and selling them for goods like sugar and ginger.

• Francis Drake circumnavigated the world (1577–1580), raided Spanish colonies, and sought American wealth, inspiring others to explore.

• Maps became more accurate through the use of latitude and longitude (e.g., Mercator maps) and the printing press.

• The defeat of the Spanish Armada (1588) increased English confidence in their navy, encouraging further exploration, trade, and challenges to Spanish power.

Consequences of exploration

• Increased wealth: Explorers like Drake returned with gold, silver, and valuable goods, boosting the English economy.

• Boosted morale and national pride: Victories against Spain and successful voyages increased confidence in England’s power.

• Strengthened navy: Exploration led to improvements in ships, navigation, and naval strategy.

• Expansion of trade: New goods like tobacco, sugar, and spices were brought to England, and new trade routes were established.

How was Virginia attempted to be colonised?

Promoting the project – The fact-finding mission in 1584 reported that the Native Americans were welcoming, and two natives returned to help the English make contact.

• Raising funds – Elizabeth I, investors, and Raleigh himself contributed money to fund the expedition; investors were promised profits from trade and Spanish ships.

• Colonists and sailors – 107 settlers were sent, although 300 were wanted; the group included soldiers, some farmers, and craftsmen.

• Ships – Tiger and the Lion.

• Leaders

Why was Virginia colonised?

• Colonies could produce cheap goods to be transported to England and trade goods could be sold for profit.

• England became less dependent on Spanish and Danish imports.

• Welcoming natives, Manteo and Wanchese, travelled back to England to encourage support for colonisation.

• Raleigh persuaded investors to fund expeditions.

• A successful New World colony would open up further opportunities for English settlement and trade.

Events

• 1584 – Raleigh sends a team to Virginia to explore.

• 1585 – 107 men, led by Grenville, set out for Roanoke.

• 1586 – Colonists struggle to feed themselves; survivors leave the colony.

• 1587 – New colonists arrive at Roanoke.

• 1590 – John White returns and finds the colony abandoned.

\Why did Virginia fail?

• Lack of food – The first colonists left England too late to plant crops in time.

• Poor leadership – The first mission was led by Grenville, who was hot-headed and clashed with the colony’s governor, Lane. The second expedition leader, White, later abandoned the colony in 1587.

• Native American attacks – Colonists angered natives by spreading disease and overusing local food supplies.

• Conflict with Spain – Ongoing war meant few ships were available to supply the colony.

• Lack of skills – Many settlers were merchants or landowners who could not do manual work. Soldiers could defend the colony but could not farm.

Significance of Raleigh’s attempt to colonise Virginia

• Undermined Spain – Virginia provided a base for English attacks on Spanish colonies and offered Native Americans an alternative to Spanish rule (e.g., Francis Drake’s raids).

• Roots of the British Empire – Early failures like Roanoke taught the English lessons that helped them establish successful colonies such as Jamestown (1607).

• Economic benefit – Virginia supplied goods like tobacco and timber to England, reducing dependence on Spanish and Italian imports and encouraging further investment in exploration.