Elizabethan England Revision Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the key political, social, and cultural aspects of Elizabethan England, including government structure, poverty legislation, and notable figures.

Succession

The issue resulting from Elizabeth having no heir and nearly dying in $1562$, leading to significant pressure for her to marry.

Mary, Queen of Scots

Elizabeth’s Catholic cousin and next in line to the throne who arrived in England in $1567$ and gained support from English Catholics.

Privy Council

The most important landowners/nobles responsible for the day-to-day running of England.

Secretary of State

The leader of the Privy Council, with notable figures including William and Robert Cecil.

Parliament

A body with limited power that could be ignored by the monarch.

Lord Lieutenants

Officials appointed by Elizabeth to run specific areas of the country.

Justices of the Peace

Officials responsible for maintaining law and order in the counties.

Royal Court

The group of nobles, advisors, and others who surrounded the monarch.

Patronage

A system used to gain loyalty by granting land, titles, and powerful positions in exchange for support or obedience.

Inflation

One of the causes of increased poverty characterized by a rise in prices and a reduction in the value of silver.

1563 Act for Relief of the Poor

Legislation that established local laws where people were only to contribute to poor relief.

1572 Vagabonds Act

An act to register the poor to ensure those who needed it received help.

1576 Poor Act

Legislation that identified a third type of poor and established Houses of Correction as a form of punishment.

1601 Poor Law

The first national law for poor relief which lasted until the $19^{th}$ century, setting three categories of poor and establishing a poor rate.

Overseers

Individuals responsible for ensuring that the provisions of the $1601$ Poor Law were carried out.

Drake

An explorer feared by the Spanish who circumnavigated the globe and was a key figure in the Armada.

Raleigh

An explorer who colonised America and is credited with the discovery of potatoes.

Hawkins

The individual who established the slave trade and was a key figure in the Armada.

Patrons of the Art

Gentry and nobility who supported the theatre to demonstrate their cultural understanding.