Elizabethan later years - History A level OCR Tudor

What was the response to the Commons asking in 1593 for a remedy for the issue of purveyance?

William Cecil replied that the request infringed the royal prerogative and could not be debated. However, the queen accepted there was a problem and agreed to deal with it.

What was the royal prerogative?

Rights held by the monarch, which included the ability to issue proclamations, enforce the royal will and suspend parliamentary acts.

What did MP Peter Wentworth write in his pamphlet and what happened to him?

He wrote a pamphlet in which he urged the queen to decide which claimant to the throne had the best claim. He had been imprisoned by the Council, but upon release discussed the matter with MPs outside parliament. This was breaking the law which did not allow parliamentary business to be discussed outside parliament. The Council sent him to the Tower, where he died in 1597. This ended the issue and preserved the queen's prerogative without her having to act.

What happened to monopolies when parliament met in 1601?

Little action had been taken after 1597. MPs were in general agreement that monopolies were being abused. The heated debates forced the queen to act. Although most MPs protested loyalty to Elizabeth, some blamed the queen. She told the Speaker she would act immediately and the worst were ended immediately while others were referred to the courts, which helped preserve the royal prerogative. The queen also used her considerable skill in giving some MPs an audience and then making her famous Golden Speech.

Why did Elizabeth summon four parliaments in the period after 1588?

The war with Spain meant that she needed the money. The continued demands brought on by the war did mean that later parliaments were less willing to grant supply, but this must also be seen in the context of the poor economic situation.

How much money did parliament grant in 1589?

Twice the usual amount which meant were worried it might create a precedent. It was therefore agreed that this would not be the norm and that it would be collected over a longer period so people did not pay any more.

What consequences did demanding money from parliament from have?

The government had to listen to parliament's concerns and complaints.

What shows that Elizabeth used her charm and skills to defuse situations in parliament?

The monopolies debate

Why could it be argued that the government was gradually losing control in the commons in Elizabeth's later years?

Many councillors who had managed business for the queen were now either dead or were sitting in the lords. Parliamentary committees were also starting to seize the initiative and put forward new policies, rather than just examine legislation.

What was Elizabeth's relationship like with parliament in her final years?

It was usually harmonious and clashes usually had little long-term significance as the opposition was neither organised or strong enough.

What was the positive impact of the 1588 Spanish Armada for Elizabeth?

The defeat of the Armada played a significant role in the growing pride people were starting to feel in the country. It also did much for Elizabeth's image and the belief that divine providence had intervened on the side of the English, which was a strong weapon in the propoganda war against Spain.

What was the negative impact of the 1588 Spanish Armada for Elizabeth?

It had forced the queen to obtain forced loans of £75,000 from wealthy subjects and borrow £56,000 from the City of London at 10 per cent interest.

What did Elizabeth do because of her disbelief that the victory in 1588 had wiped out the Spanish navy and the invasion scares of 1590s?

They continued fighting, both at sea and on land, supporting Henry of Navarre and the Dutch rebels, consumed large amounts of money, giving Henry £20,000 in 1589, although she did expect it to be returned, and also sending 10,000 troops in 1590-91.

What were the total costs of the war from 1588-1603?

The costs of war continued to grow, with nearly 100,000 men sent to fight in the period, all of which had to be paid for, and the total expenditure was some £4.5 million, with £2 million of that spent in Ireland.

How did Elizabeth pay for the wars of her later years?

Only half of the cost was met from parliamentary grants and the surplus that had been built up was spent. In 1599-1600 Elizabeth was forced to sell crown lands and also considered selling some jewellery because the situation was so bad. She reduced expenditure at court, particularly on patronage, and kept positions vacant to avoid paying salaries. The lack of patronage encouraged bribery and corruption, and played a role in the issuing of monopolies.

How did the Spanish war cause factionalism in parliament?

Cecil preferred to respond to situations, but younger councillors argued for a more proactive policy with naval attacks against Spain. Divisions over the nature of the war resulted in every decision being affected and factions developing. Essex had become a national hero because of his attack on Cadiz in 1596 and he pushed for a more active policy, but Cecil wanted to bring about peace, particularly after Henry IV of France made peace with Spain, but Essex opposed it. The factional fighting would continue even after Cecil's death in 1598 as his role was taken up by his son Robert Cecil.

Why was Elizabeth not a great help in dealing with the factionalism in parliament that was a result of the Spanish war?

She failed to have a clear policy. Although she was aware of the dangers of a more 'forward policy', she sometimes gave in to pressures from courtiers and this served only to show a lack of coherence in policy.

What bad harvests were there in Elizabeth's later years?

There were some bad harvests in the 1580s, which had already resulted in an increase in the price of bread, but a run of bad harvests from 1594 to 1598 made the situation even worse.

What impact did the bad harvests in Elizabeth's later years have?

By 1596 the price of wheat had doubled compared with normal times.

Those who suffered the most were those living close to subsistence level as the cheaper grains, oats and rye, rose as much or even more than wheat.

The situation was made more difficult because poor transportation meant it was harder to move supplies from areas where there were surplus.

What was the death rate due to malnutrition in Elizabeth's later years?

In 1595-97 the death rate increased 50 per cent.

How did the government react to the increase in poverty as a result of the bad harvests in Elizabeth's later years?

The government passed a series of laws to deal with poverty but also introduced measures to keep land under cultivation and to prevent depopulation and the destruction of farms.

How were Elizabeth's later years affected by the plague?

As people were debilitated by a lack of food, they had less resistance to the plague. Parish registers show that nearly every town was affected in 1596 and 1597. Books of Orders attempted to introduce quarantine measures, but these were often defied. The death of the breadwinner could have a devastating impact and add to the problem of poverty.

Why was there unrest in London in Elizabeth's later years?

There was much grumbling and some refused to pay ship money, while others complained about purveyance and monopolies, and some complained about the raising of troops. Apprentices caused trouble in London, such that the goose fair was cancelled in 1593, and in 1595 some youths were hanged for causing trouble on Tower Hill.

Where and when were there food riots in Elizabeth's later years?

There were food riots in Kent in 1595, Sussex, Somerset and Norfolk in the period from 1596 to 1598. There had also been unrest in Ipswich in 1586.

Why was there an uprising in Oxfordshire in 1596?

The protest was supposedly due to enclosure. There had been a previous protest when 60 men had asked the Lord Lieutenant for help for the poor and starving.

What was the plan for the 1596 Oxfordshire rising?

The protesters were to meet on Enslow Hill, which had been the site of protest in 1549, then throw down enclosures, seize guns and march on London to join with the apprentices.

How did the government react to the 1596 Oxfordshire rising?

The government either saw it as a serious threat as they had no police force or just wanted to make an example of the protestors.

The five ringleaders were arrested, taken to London and charged with treason. Some 25 others were questioned locally.

In 1597 the Tillage Act was passed to reverse enclosure that had been carried out since 1588.

Why was the 1596 Oxfordshire rising not a serious threat to the government?

It attracted only a small number despite the conditions and many who had been urged to join had refused. Only four actually turned up on Enslow Hill. The lack of trouble is an indication that government measures were successful in controlling the disquiet and that many no longer saw rebellion as the way to bring about changes.

When was the Tyrone rebellion in Ireland?

1598-1603

Why could the Tyrone rebellion be seen as a serious threat to Elizabeth?

1) Discontented Irishmen could allow Spanish troops to land and use it is a base from which to attack England.

2) It was the first national revolt in Ireland and attracted support from a wide area.

3) Tyrone had the resources of Ulster to support his men and his forces were well trained and often led by captains who had served in Elizabeth's armies. He also secured reinforcements from Scotland.

4) Tyrone was a skilled leader, an expert in ambush and knew the area.

What happened in the Tyrone rebellion before Elizabeth responded?

Tyrone was able to defeat the English at Yellow Ford in 1598, seize Munster and take much of Ireland, with only Leinster holding out.

What happened when Essex was sent to deal with the Tyrone rebellion?

He was sent with 16,000 men - the largest army sent to Ireland in the Tudor period. The Council provided a large amount of resources, but Essex was unable to deal with the problem. When he marched north to face Tyrone he took only 4000 men and avoided battle. He then came home, disobeying orders.

What happened when Lord Mountjoy was sent to deal with the Tyrone rebellion?

He was more effective than Essex. He conciliated many of the Irish, who disliked Tyrone's rule, captured some of the leaders and defeated a Spanish force that landed at Kinsale in 1602. He then advanced on Ulster, where, a few days after the queen's death, Tyrone surrendered.

When was the Essex rebellion?

1601

How did Essex come to prominence?

After serving under Leicester in the Netherlands and won Elizabeth's favour when he came to court on return.

What did Essex do that showed he was headstrong?

He joined the expedition to Lisbon in 1589 against the queen's orders.

What weakened Essex's position in Elizabeth's later years?

His rivalry with Robert Cecil weakened his position

His failure to secure promotion for Francis Bacon in 1593 damaged his reputation as he seemed unable to fulfil his duty as a patron

He failed to get offices for his supporters in 1597 when Lord Cobham died

What were the consequences of Essex's 1596 expedition to Cadiz?

Essex won praise but Cecil became Principal Secretary in his absence

How did Essex fall out with the queen in her later years?

Essex reacted badly when he did not get his own way. In 1598 he had angered the queen during discussions about who should be sent to Ireland and, although he was sent, the queen slapped him in the face when he turned his back on her. His role in Ireland further damaged his reputation. His return, without permission, resulted in him being placed under house arrest.

What did Essex do in response to his house arrest? What was the queen's response?

He built up a party at court and had support in the City of London. However, his defiance of the queen's will on returning resulted in his power being further reduced. By sending Mountjoy to Ireland she took away one of his supporters and then removed his monopoly on sweet wines, which was his main source of income and left him under pressure from his creditors.

What happened in the Essex Rebellion?

Essex made contact with James VI of Scotland, commissioned a performance of Shakespeare's Richard II, which included the deposition of a monarch by a noble to save the country from misrule. The next day he attempted to raise a rebellion in London and take control of Whitehall. He hoped to play on the unpopularity of Cecil, but many of his supporters did not act and he had overestimated public support. The rising was easily crushed and the leniency with which it was treated, with only six executions, suggests that the government saw the event as no more than a nuisance.

What was the main consequence of the Essex rebellion?

The removal of Essex did mean that the Cecil faction would dominate, with government dominated for the first time by one faction.

Which scandals undermined Elizabeth's authority at court in her later years?

Raleigh was disgraced for making Bess Throckmorton pregnant and the Earl of Southampton had to leave the country when his affair with Elizabeth Vernon became public

What criticism undermined Elizabeth's reputation in her later years?

The economic crisis of the 1590s did lead to an increase in criticism, with some commenting that 'we shall never have a merry world while the queen liveth'. Scandalous stories also emerged, with rumours the queen had had three children by different nobles or that Leicester had murdered the children.

What was Elizabeth's relationship with court in her later years?

Attendance at court declined and the aristocracy were reluctant to accompany her on progress in 1600. Eizabeth also withdrew more and more from court and spent more time in her own apartments.

What evidence is there that Elizabeth's appearance in her later years damaged her reputation?

Some younger courtiers mocked her red wig. In 1596 the Council issued a proclamation stating that unseemly portraits would be destroyed, suggesting that some had been produced, which threatened her image. A formalised version of her face for use in paintings was produced by Nicholas Hilliard and was to be inserted into different pictures.

What evidence is there that Elizabeth's appearance in her later years maintained her reputation?

Plays and pageants still extolling her virtues were performed and the Accession Day Tilts celebrated her accession on 17 November each year.

What did Elizabeth do to preserve the image of her youthfulness?

Elizabeth still went on progress and took part in hunting and hawking. Ambassadors were still entertained and reported favourably on her. She was still dancing, even if less frequently. All of this helped to preserve to some extent the image of her youthfulness.

What suggested that Elizabeth had not lost her political touch or her ability to win support through flattery in her later years?

Her final parliament witnessed considerable praise for her and her Golden Speech reduced some members to tears.

How did Elizabeth use propaganda in her later years?

She used propaganda to reinforce her image, particularly that of the Virgin Queen, who was a devoted ruler and abandoned her own happiness for the sake of the country. Increasingly, she was portrayed as Gloriana or the Virgin Queen, with virginity being used as a symbol of power. However, it might be argued that the representations of Gloriana were to disguise anxieties about her age, possible death and the succession.