Elizabeth I GCSE History Flashcards

A comprehensive collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, dates, acts, plots, and figures from Elizabethan England for GCSE History.

Religious Settlement (1559)

Elizabeth's compromise to establish a Protestant Church while keeping some traditional Catholic practices.

Act of Supremacy (1559)

Made Elizabeth Supreme Governor of the Church of England and required an oath of loyalty.

Act of Uniformity (1559)

Made the Book of Common Prayer compulsory and required church attendance.

Royal Injunctions

Rules issued to enforce the Religious Settlement across England.

Recusants

People who refused to attend Church of England services, usually Catholics.

Puritans

Protestants who wanted further reforms to remove Catholic traditions from the Church.

Vestiarian Controversy

Dispute over whether clergy should wear traditional Catholic-style vestments.

Archbishop Matthew Parker

Archbishop of Canterbury who helped enforce the Religious Settlement.

Catholic threat

Catholics believed Elizabeth was illegitimate because Henry VIII's marriage to Anne Boleyn was not recognised by the Pope.

Papal Bull (1570)

Pope Pius V excommunicated Elizabeth and released Catholics from obeying her.

Ridolfi Plot (1571)

Catholic plot to replace Elizabeth with Mary, Queen of Scots with Spanish support.

Throckmorton Plot (1583)

Catholic plot involving Spain and France to invade England and place Mary on the throne.

Babington Plot (1586)

Catholic plot to assassinate Elizabeth and make Mary queen; led to Mary's execution.

Mary, Queen of Scots

Elizabeth's Catholic cousin and claimant to the English throne, executed in 1587.

Spanish Armada (1588)

Spain's failed invasion fleet sent by Philip II to overthrow Elizabeth.

Causes of Armada

Religion, English support for Dutch Protestants, privateering, and Mary's execution.

Why Armada failed

English tactics, bad weather, supply problems, and Spanish planning mistakes.

Tilbury Speech

Elizabeth's speech encouraging troops before expected Spanish invasion.

Philip II of Spain

Catholic King of Spain and Elizabeth's main foreign rival.

Netherlands

Elizabeth supported Dutch Protestant rebels against Spanish Catholic rule.

Treaty of Nonsuch (1585)

England officially sent troops to help Dutch rebels against Spain.

Privateers

English sailors like Francis Drake who attacked Spanish ships and treasure fleets.

Francis Drake

Privateer who raided Spanish treasure and helped defeat the Armada.

John Hawkins

Improved the English navy and helped fight the Armada.

Sir Walter Raleigh

Explorer, courtier, and promoter of English colonisation in America.

Virginia

English colony named after the 'Virgin Queen', though early attempts failed.

Roanoke Colony

Failed English colony in North America that mysteriously disappeared.

English navy strengths

Faster ships, longer-range guns, experienced sailors, and better manoeuvrability.

Spanish navy weaknesses

Large ships, poor communication, difficult supply lines, and dependence on formation.

Consequences of Armada

Boosted Elizabeth's reputation and England's confidence, but war with Spain continued.

Puritan challenge

Puritans criticised bishops, vestments, and wanted a simpler church.

Catholic challenge

Catholics secretly practised Mass and posed a political threat after 1570.

Church attendance

Attendance at Church of England services was compulsory every Sunday.

Book of Common Prayer

Official Protestant prayer book used in all churches.

Supreme Governor

Title Elizabeth used instead of Supreme Head to reduce opposition.

Middle Way (Via Media)

Elizabeth's attempt to create a church acceptable to most people.

Importance of Mary's execution

Removed a Catholic claimant but increased tensions with Spain.

Anglo-Spanish War

War between England and Spain from 1585 to 1604.

Essex Rebellion (1601)

Failed rebellion led by Earl of Essex against Elizabeth late in her reign.

Golden Age

Period of cultural growth during Elizabeth's reign including Shakespeare and exploration.