Early Elizabethan England

What year did Elizabeth I become queen?

1558.

Who was Elizabeth I’s father and mother?

King Henry VIII + Anne Boelyn.

Who was Elizabeth I’s brother and sister?

Edward VI and Mary I.

What else was Mary I known as?

Bloody Mary.

What percentage of Elizabethan society lived in towns? What percentage of Elizabethan society lived in the countryside?

• Towns = 10%.

• Countryside = 90%.

How was social hierarchy decided in the countryside?

How much land you owned.

How was social hierarchy decided in towns?

Wealth and occupation.

Name the order of hierarchy in the countryside: Top to Bottom

• Nobility - Major landowners: often lords, dukes and earls.

• Gentry - Owned smaller estates and were very rich.

• Yeomen - Owned small amount of land/estate.

• Tenant famers - Rented land from yeoman farmers and gentry.

• Landless/Labouring poor - People who did not own or rent land; had to work or labour to provide for themselves and their families.

• Vagrants/Homeless - Moved from place to place looking for work.

Name the order of hierarchy in towns: Top to Bottom

• Merchants - Traders who were wealthy and owned property.

• Professionals - Lawyers, doctors and clergymen.

• Business owners - Often highly skilled craftsmen such as carpenters and tailors.

• Craftsmen - Skilled employees such as apprentices.

• Unskilled labourers and unemployed - People who had no regular work, unable to provide for themselves or their families.

What was Extraordinary Taxation?

Occasional, additional taxation to pay for unexpected expenses such as war.

What was the Divine Right?

The belief that monarch’s were chosen by God.

Who was the head of the government?

Queen Elizabeth I.

Who had the most power and authority in Elizabethan Government?

Queen Elizabeth I.

Who was Elizabeth’s secretary of state?

Sir William Cecil.

What was the role of the Justice Of Peace’s?

Ensure government policies were carried out and to keep law and order in their local areas + head county court cases.

How many members were in the Privy Council?

19 men.

What was the role of the Privy Council?

Advise the monarch on government policy, carry out Elizabeth’s decisions and check out what JPs were doing.

How often did the Privy Council meet?

3 times a week.

Who made up the court?

Courtiers (Members of the nobility).

What was the role of the Court?

To unofficially entertain and advise the monarch.

What was the role of the Lord Lieutenants?

Trained and assembled local militia and oversaw countries defences.

Which 2 houses made up Parliament?

House of Lords and House of Commons.

What was the role of Parliament?

• To grant extraordinary taxation if the monarch needed more money and pass laws.

• Pass laws but only on matters the monarch agreed to.

• Advise the Queen.

Was Elizabeth obliged to listen to parliament?

No.

What could only the monarch talk about?

• Elizabeth’s marriage.

• Foreign policy: How one country decides to behave towards another country.

• The succession: Deciding who will rule after Elizabeth’s death.

What did Elizabeth have to ask Parliament permission for?

• Extra expenses to pay for.

• New laws passed.

• Extraordinary taxation.

Why was Elizabeth well respected when she first became queen?

• Very intelligent and well educated; she spoke 5 languages fluently such as Latin and French.

• Had an excellent grasp on politics.

• Confident, charismatic and excellent at speeches which allowed her to win over her subjects and gain support from parliament.

Explain why debt was a problem for Elizabeth when she first became queen in 1558.

The crown was in debt by £300,000. This meant that she could not afford war, invasion or rebellions.

How much in debt was the crown?

£300 000.

Why was crown debt only a short term problem?

The crown’s annul income was £286 667, so she would be able to pay off the £300 000 debt.

Explain why legitimacy was a problem for Elizabeth when she first became queen in 1558.

• Many Catholics believe that Elizabeth was illegitimate and that an illegitimate queen could not effectively rule England.

• This is because Elizabeth’s father, Henry VIII, wanted to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, as she wouldn’t provide a male heir for him. Henry hoped to marry Elizabeth’s mother, Anne Boleyn. However, the pope refused the divorce which in Catholics eyes meant that God refused the marriage.

• Henry created his own church called the Church of England with him as the head so he could divorce Catherine and go on to marry Anne Boleyn. Therefore, committed Catholics believed that Elizabeth’s mother was never legally married to his wife as the Pope hadn’t permitted the marriage and his divorce. This meant that Elizabeth would have been born to unmarried parents, making her illegitimate.

• Also, Henry had Parliament pass the Second Act of Succession (1536), which declared Elizabeth illegitimate and removed her from the line of succession. Despite it being reversed, there was still lots of question about her legitimacy.

Why did many catholics believe that Elizabeth was illegitimate?

• Elizabeth’s father, Henry VIII, wanted to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, as she wouldn’t provide a male heir for him.

• Henry hoped to marry Elizabeth’s mother, Anne Boleyn. However, the pope refused the divorce which in Catholics eyes meant that God refused the marriage.

• Henry created his own church called the Church of England with him as the head so he could divorce Catherine and go on to marry Anne Boleyn.

• Therefore, committed Catholics believed that Elizabeth’s mother was never legally married to his wife as the Pope hadn’t permitted the marriage and his divorce. This meant that Elizabeth would have been born to unmarried parents, making her illegitimate.

• Also, Henry had Parliament pass the Second Act of Succession (1536), which declared Elizabeth illegitimate and removed her from the line of succession. Despite it being reversed, there was still lots of question about her legitimacy.

What is another word for illegitimate?

Bastard.

Who had declared Elizabeth as illegitimate in 1536? Under which act?

Henry had Parliament pass the Second Act of Succession (1536), which

• Declared Elizabeth illegitimate.

• Removed her from the line of succession.

Explain why gender was a problem for Elizabeth when she first became queen in 1558.

• The church taught that women should be under the authority of men as women were weak, vulnerable and too emotional - they were not supposed to have an authority or power so many people believed that Elizabeth was not capable of ruling.

• Mary I was the first independent queen of England and her mistakes has made women look like weak, incapable rulers and reliant on men.

• She lost the war with France, lost Calais, allowed her husband Phillip II of Spain to take over her duties, England was in debt and this lead to lots of poverty.

How did Mary I not help the view that women cannot rule by themselves?

• She lost the war with France + lost Calais which made female leaders seem weak and incapable of leading their team to victory.

• Mary allowed her husband Phillip II of Spain to take over her duties which again made women seem weak, lazy and overall reliant on men.

• England was in debt and this lead to lots of poverty which highlighted again that women are weak and incapable of ruling a country.

Who did Elizabeth turn down marriage to?

Philip II of Spain.

Which country had Mary I been at war with before Elizabeth became queen?

France.

How much did Elizabeth spend on weapons when she first became queen?

£100 000.

What did Elizabeth do that showed she suspected a French invasion was likely and viewed it as a serious problem?

• Spent £100 000 on weapons and took out a huge loan in case of French invasion.

• Within 3 months, she made peace with France with the Treaty of Cateau - Camberesis to avoid conflict escalating.

What treaty did England and France sign to avoid conflict? When was this signed?

Treaty of Cateau - Camberesis in 1559.

Who could convince Spain to attack England despite their friendly terms and why?

Philip II was a devout Catholic and wanted to stamp out Protestantism so if the Pope asked, he would come together with France and attack England.

Why was a French - Spanish - Scottish invasion a possible problem for Elizabeth in 1558?

All were Catholic countries and if the Pope asked them to, they would all unite against Protestant England.

Explain why threat of invasion from France was a problem for Elizabeth when she first became queen in 1558.

• France was a traditional enemy of England.

• France was a powerful and rich country meaning that war with France would be expensive for Elizabeth, especially since the crown was already in debt.

• Spain and France had just ended war, meaning that their resources weren’t stretched anymore, making war more likely.

• Elizabeth signed the Treaty of Cateau - Camberesis in 1959, within 3 months of becoming queen, as she knew how much of a threat France was and she wanted to avoid conflict.

Explain why threat of invasion from Scotland was a problem for Elizabeth when she first became queen in 1558.

• Mary of Guise would want to invade as she hated England and she wanted her daughter, MQS, to become queen of England. This would be possible if she other threw Elizabeth by invading England which Elizabeth couldn’t afford as the crown was already in debt.

• Many Catholics also agreed that MQS was the rightful heir because she as legitimate, unlike Elizabeth, and therefore Scottish and English Catholics could encourage a rebellion and invasion to get her on the throne.

Explain why threat of invasion from France and Scotland was a problem for Elizabeth when she first became queen in 1558.

• Auld Alliance between France and Scotland and both traditional enemies of England. They also both hated Protestantism as Catholic countries.

• MQS was already married to the French heir. This cemented their friendship and made it more likely that they would invade together.

• French soldiers were stationed in Scotland at the English border, making it easy for them to invade.

• She couldn’t afford two powerful countries invading England as the crown was already in debt.

How many Protestant did Mary I kill during her reign?

300.

Who began Protestantism?

Martin Luther.

Why did people question the Catholic Church?

• Churches were greedy and corrupt, e.g. people could buy away their sins and churches were highly decorated.

• Priests were viewed as more important than everyone else.

• Bible was written in Latin so people couldn’t understand it.

What were puritans?

Extreme Protestants who wanted to purify the Christian religion. They were very anti - Catholic and vocal about their beliefs.

Where were the majority of Catholics located?

North + West of England.

Where were the majority of Protestants located?

South East England e.g. London and Kent.

Where were the majority of Puritans located?

London and East Anglia.

Who was the head of the Protestant church?

Monarch.

Who was the head of the Puritan church?

No head of the church.

In which religion were priests celibate?

Catholic.

In which religion were priests allowed to marry?

Protestant and Puritan.

What language are services/the bible in in Catholicism?

Latin.

What language are services/the bible in in Protestantism?

English.

What language are services/the bible in in Puritan religion?

English.

In which religion were churches highly decorated?

Catholic.

In which religion were churches plain and simple?

Protestant and Puritan.

Which religion forbids images in Church?

Puritan.

Why do Puritans forbid images in church?

• Images in Church such as crucifixes are seen as worshipping idols. God cannot be recreated into something physical.

• No distraction from God.

In which religion do priests wear special clothing (vestments)?

Catholic.

In which religion is mass celebrated?

Catholic.

In which religion do bread and wine become the actual blood and body of Christ?

Catholic.

In which religion do bread and wine represent the blood and the body of Christ?

Protestant and Puritan.

Within how many months of becoming queen, did Elizabeth begin her religious settlement?

3 months.

What was the aim of Elizabeth’s religious settlement?

• Find a compromise to England’s religion - Church with Protestant features to appeal Catholics too, ensuring Catholics didn't have to choose between their church and their religion.

• Help bring England into line with Elizabeth’s own Protestant beliefs.

• Prevent rebellions in strongly Catholic areas of England in the North and West.

• Prevent Catholic superpowers such as France and Spain from invading England.

Name the 3 parts of Elizabeth’s religious settlement.

Act of Supremacy, Act of Uniformity, Royal Injunctions.

What was included in the Act of Supremacy?

• Elizabeth was named Supreme Governor of the Church - No role for Pope as Elizabeth had all power, control and influence.

• Clergy must swear loyalty to the Queen and accept her authority. Members whose loyalty was in doubt would be punished.

• Elizabeth set up the Court of High Commission (often called the Ecclesiastical High Commission). They enforced the Religious Settlement, dealt with religious offences, such as recusants or acting against the queens religious authority and could question, fine, imprison, or remove clergy.

What did the Act of Supremacy make Elizabeth?

Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

What did the Court of High Commission (often called the Ecclesiastical High Commission) do?

Enforced the Religious Settlement, dealt with religious offences, such as recusants or acting against the queens religious authority and could question, fine, imprison, or remove clergy.

What was included in the Act of Uniformity?

• Bible and all services in English rather than Latin.

• Clergy had to use the wording of Elizabeth’s prayer book when conducting. Anyone who refused to use it was punished. The wording of the service was deliberately unclear so that Catholics and Protestants could interpret it the way they wanted such as transubstantiation, the Catholic belief that the bread and wine become the real body and blood of Christ during Communion, but rejected by Puritans.

• Priests could wear vestments/special clothing.

• Ordered everyone to attend Church on Sunday and other holy days such as Good Friday, or would be fined one shilling for every absence.

What the punishment for recusants in Elizabeth’s religious settlement?

Fined 1 shilling per absence.

What was the punishment for repeat offenders of recusancy?

Imprisonment.

Why did many Catholic not attend Church despite Elizabeth’s fine in the Religious Settlement?

The fine was only one shilling.

What was the Royal Injunctions?

A set of rules issued by William Cecil on behalf of the queen to the clergy to reinforce the acts of supremacy and uniformity.

Give some examples of rules in the Royal Injunctions

• Anyone refusing to attend church would be fined and reported to the Privy Council.

• Each parish had to have an English copy of the Bible.

• No one was allowed to preach without a license from the Government.

• Pilgrimages to ‘fake’ miracles banned.

• Clergy must teach that the queen was in charge.

How did Elizabeth’s religious settlement please Catholics?

• Priests could wear vestments/special clothing + Churches remained well decorated

• The wording of the Elizabeth’s services/bible was deliberately unclear so that Catholics could interpret it the way they wanted.

What did all clergy have to do if they wanted to keep their posts (in terms of Elizabeth’s religious settlement)?

All members of the Church had to take the oath of supremacy.

How many clergy took an oath under Elizabeth’s religious settlement?

8,000 out of 10,000.

How many bishops took an oath under Elizabeth’s religious settlement?

1.

Why was it actually good that only 1 out of 28 bishops took an oath under Elizabeth’s religious settlement?

It gave her the chance to appoint 27 new Protestant bishops.

Why did Elizabeth not punish Catholic recusants too strongly?

Elizabeth only fined recusants instead of executing them as she didn’t want to to create Catholic martyrs or encourage Catholic rebellion/invasion.

What did Elizabeth famously state meaning she doesn’t care what’s in people’s heart of hearts as long as they outwardly conform to her settlement?

She famously stated she doesn't want “windows into men’s souls”

What did the Pope do in 1566?

He told English Catholics to stop attending church services.

Why did Puritans challenge the Religious Settlement?

They didn’t like that Elizabeth kept Catholic elements like Vestments and Crucifixes.

Why did Puritans not like crucifixes?

• Crucifixes are images of Christ dying on the cross.

• Puritans didn’t like these as it was seen as an image of Jesus, rather than the real Jesus, so therefore praying to an idol is seen as disrespectful to Puritans. They believed images cannot recreate the real thing.

• Also believed churches should be kept simple and plain rather than decorated with crucifixes.

Why did Elizabeth keep crucifixes in her church?

It kept Churches with their familiar look and feel, pleasing Catholics.

What did Puritan bishops threaten to do when Elizabeth kept crucifixes in her churches?

Resign.

Why did Puritan bishops threaten to resign?

Elizabeth kept crucifixes in churches.

Why did Elizabeth have to back down to Puritans when it came to crucifixes?

Some Puritan bishops threatened to resign but she had no replacements.

What did puritans believe vestments should look like?

Plain and simple.

Why were Puritans unhappy that religious leaders had to wear vestments in Elizabeth’s religious settlement?

Puritans believed that there were no religious leaders, not even a monarch, and that everyone was equal. Special vestments elevated the status of priests. Therefore they shouldn’t be wearing any special clothing like vestments as it set them apart from everyone else.

What did the archbishop of Canterbury do in 1566?

Held an exhibition in London to shown priests what vestments they must wear.

How many priests didn’t attend the archbishops exhibition in London for vestments? What happened to them?

37 out of 110 - They lost their posts.

What did Archbishop Matthew Parker do to enforce the religious settlement? What was the response?

The book of advertisements in 1566 was written but some refused to accept and lost their positions.

Other than crucifixes and vestments, why else did Puritans reject the Religious Settlement?

• Act of Uniformity made everyone follow the same form of worship and follow a new, ambiguous prayer book, which was deliberately vague.

• Bishops also had too much authority and power in the church, creating a hierarchy in the church which Puritans rejected.