Elizabethan Error

Challenges to Elizabeth's Rule

1. Religious Challenges

   • Puritans:
     • Wanted to 'purify' the Church of England of Catholic practices.
     • Significant minority, some in positions of power.
     • Threat: Could undermine Elizabeth's religious settlement and challenge her authority.
   • Catholics:
     • Some remained loyal to the Pope and Catholic traditions.
     • Threat: Potential for rebellions and plots against Elizabeth, especially with foreign support (e.g., Spain).

2. Foreign Threats

   • Spain:
     • Philip II of Spain was a powerful Catholic monarch who opposed Elizabeth.
     • Rivalry: England's Protestantism and maritime activities clashed with Spanish interests.
     • Armada: The Spanish Armada in 1588 was a major attempt to invade England and overthrow Elizabeth.
   • France:
     • France was a major European power with its own dynastic and religious conflicts.
     • Alliance: Potential for alliances against England, although also periods of relative peace.

3. Internal Rebellions and Plots

   • Northern Rebellion (1569):
     • Catholic nobles rebelled against Elizabeth, aiming to replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots.
     • Suppressed: Demonstrated the threat from Catholic sympathizers within England.
   • Ridolfi Plot (1571):
     • Conspiracy to assassinate Elizabeth and put Mary on the throne, involving foreign support.
     • Foiled: Led to stricter measures against Catholics.
   • Throckmorton Plot (1583):
     • Another plot to overthrow Elizabeth with Spanish and French support.
     • Result: Intensified anti-Catholic sentiment and surveillance.
   • Babington Plot (1586):
     • Plot involving Mary, Queen of Scots, to assassinate Elizabeth.
     • Consequence: Led to Mary's execution in 1587.

4. Mary, Queen of Scots

   • Claim to the Throne:
     • Mary was Elizabeth's cousin and a Catholic with a strong claim to the English throne.
     • Symbol: Became a figurehead for Catholic opposition to Elizabeth.
   • Imprisonment and Execution:
     • Elizabeth kept Mary in captivity for many years due to the threat she posed.
     • Execution: Eventually executed after being implicated in the Babington Plot.

5. Economic Issues

   • Inflation:
     • Rising prices caused economic hardship, especially for the poor.
     • Impact: Led to social unrest and challenges to Elizabeth's government.
   • Poverty:
     • Widespread poverty and vagrancy were significant problems.
     • Response: Elizabethan Poor Laws aimed to address poverty and maintain social order.

Elizabethan Society and Culture

1. Social Structure

   • Hierarchy:
     • Society was highly hierarchical, with the monarch at the top, followed by nobles, gentry, merchants, and commoners.
   • Roles and Expectations:
     • Strict social norms and expectations governed behavior.
   • Gender Roles:
     • Women had limited roles, primarily in the domestic sphere.
     • Elizabeth as Queen challenged traditional gender roles but also had to conform to some expectations.

2. Education

   • Growth of Education:
     • Increased emphasis on education, especially for the upper classes.
     • Grammar schools and universities expanded.
   • Literacy:
     • Rising literacy rates contributed to the growth of culture and intellectual life.

3. Arts and Literature

   • Shakespeare:
     • William Shakespeare was a major playwright and poet whose works reflected Elizabethan society and values.
   • Theatre:
     • Popular form of entertainment, with the construction of new theaters like the Globe.
   • Music and Dance:
     • Flourished in the Elizabethan era, with patronage from the court and nobility.

4. Exploration and Colonization

   • Maritime Activity:
     • English explorers and seafarers, such as Sir Francis Drake, expanded England's influence and wealth.
   • Colonization:
     • Early attempts to establish colonies in the Americas, such as Roanoke, set the stage for future expansion.

Key Policies and Events

1. Religious Settlement (1559)

   • Act of Supremacy:
     • Established Elizabeth as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
   • Act of Uniformity:
     • Established a common prayer book and made Church attendance compulsory.
     • Compromise: Aimed to create a moderate Protestant Church that could appeal to a broad range of the population.

2. Poor Laws

   • Addressing Poverty:
     • Series of laws aimed at providing relief to the poor and managing vagrancy.
     • Local Responsibility: Emphasized the responsibility of parishes to care for their own poor.

3. The Spanish Armada (1588)

   • Causes:
     • Religious and political tensions between England and Spain.
     • Spanish attempt to overthrow Elizabeth and restore Catholicism.
   • Outcome:
     • English victory was a major turning point in European history.
     • Significance: Enhanced England's prestige and naval power.

4. The Succession Question

   • Uncertainty:
     • Elizabeth's refusal to marry and name an heir created uncertainty about the succession.
   • Potential Claimants:
     • Various potential successors, including James VI of Scotland (later James I of England).

Key Figures

1. Elizabeth I:
   • Queen of England (1558-1603):
     • Known for her political skill, intelligence, and ability to maintain stability.
   • 'The Virgin Queen':
     • Her unmarried status was both a political tool and a source of anxiety