Elizabeth's Accession and Religious Divisions

Flashcards based on lecture notes about Queen Elizabeth's religious policies and challenges upon her accession to the throne.

How old was Elizabeth when she succeeded to the English throne, and when did she succeed?

25, November 1558

What did Mary fear from Elizabeth as queen?

That Elizabeth would restore the Royal Supremacy and end the relationship with Rome.

What positive qualities did Elizabeth possess?

She was skillful in public relations, demonstrated political skill, chose her advisors carefully and allowed them to conduct business on her behalf (although she determined the direction of policy).

Why did Elizabeth experience difficulty in finding a leading churchman to conduct her coronation ceremony?

She insisted that the Host should not be elevated in the coronation communion. Only one Bishop (of Carlisle) was willing to do it.

What were Elizabeth's three options for a religious settlement?

A. Continue the Catholic regime. B. A radical Protestant settlement. C. A moderate Protestant settlement, which Elizabeth favored because it retained Royal Supremacy.

Who had influenced Elizabeth in terms of religion, leading to her Protestant beliefs?

Catherine Parr and the tutors who had educated her brother Edward.

Describe the divide between the beliefs of educated Catholics and the rest of the uneducated laity by 1558.

Educated Catholics were engaged in debate, yet the laity adhered to traditional medieval Catholics rituals and rites.

What was the major issue that affected the Catholic argument to retain links with the Pope?

Mary had failed to re-establish the formal relationship between England and Rome because she refused to hand over Pole to answer for charges of heresy.

After Mary's death, around how many Protestant emigrees (or 'Marian exiles') began their return to England? Why did this cause problems?

Around 400. These exiles had developed a variety of extreme and conflicting views.

Briefly explain the key disagreement between Scottish reformer John Knox and bishop Richard Cox.

Knox favoured the establishment of a Calvinist Community (challenging the existing church hierarchy), whereas Cox favoured an English system based on the 1552 Book of Common Prayer.

What polemical book written by Knox upset Elizabeth?

'The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women'

Who returned to England from Strasbourg very quickly after Elizabeth's accession and supported Cox's views? What was his background?

Edmund Grindal. He had been chaplain to Nicholas Ridley and Edward VI himself and he had helped to develop the 42 Articles.

Why did the Marian Exiles find it difficult to advise Elizabeth on her religious policy?

Elizabeth surrounded herself with men who had stayed in England during Mary's reign.

How do the textbook authors describe Elizabeth's advisors in terms of their Protestant outlook?

Pragmatic Humanists

What important role was given to Matthew Parker and when?

Archbishop of Canterbury, on 1 August 1559

What personal connection did Parker have to Elizabeth?

He had been chaplain to Anne Boleyn and she asked him to look after Elizabeth.

If Parker held moderate beliefs and a married status, why did Marian exiles not trust him?

Because he had remained in England during Mary's reign and therefore had outwardly acquiesced to her religion.

Why did Elizabeth choose not to remove all existing personnel from Mary's Privy Council? How many councillors did she keep?

She wanted to retain experience and rule with as wide a body of support as possible. She kept 10 councillors.

Name four important councillors who were kept by Elizabeth, who were supportive of Catholic liturgy but who had not supported a return to Rome.

Arundel, Shrewsbury, Petre, Winchester

Who became Elizabeth's Secretary of State? Why do you think she chose him for the role?

William Cecil. He was attracted to new religious ideas and had served both her father and siblings - Elizabeth was keen on continuity with what had gone before.

How did Elizabeth attempt to avoid factional disputes and impose her own policies?

Members of the Privy Council held positions in Elizabeth's own household and had influence in Parliament.

What do the textbook authors suggest was a motive for Philip proposing to Elizabeth after Mary's death?

England was still committed to a war against France and Scotland - despite the loss of Calais - and Philip was reliant upon English resources to wage war.

What was the name of the peace treaty signed with the French in April 1559? This gave France control of Calais for how many years?

Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis. For 8 years.

What did Elizabeth require from the French as part of the peace treaty?

That the French would pacify the Scottish border.

Explain why Scottish Protestants attacked the French in June 1559, leading them eventually to call on the English for help to (ironically) defeat the French.

Francis II became king; his wife was Queen of Scotland, and his mother-in-law, Mary of Guise, wanted to use French troops to strengthen her daughter's position. French troops arrived to garrison Scottish defenses, triggering the revolt.

After dispatching the English navy to the Firth of Forth to prevent the landing of French troops, why did Elizabeth procrastinate for months before sending further military help?

She wanted to be sure that Philip would not intervene.

Give reasons for why England was successful in signing the Treaty of Edinburgh with the Scots in July 1560.

Mary of Guise had died, the French had lost their fleet in a storm, and there was religious unrest in France that had to be dealt with.

In 1562, which group of French Protestants did Elizabeth agree to support, intending to regain Calais in the process?

The Huguenots.

Why was this decision to support the Huguenots prove to be disastrous?

The Huguenots failed, England lost Le Havre and Calais forever - and without the payment of 500,000 crowns.