Elizabethan England History Revision

AQA GCSE History: Elizabethan England (c1568-1603)

Elizabeth's Court and Government

1. Elizabeth’s Court:

   • A hub for social and political life.

   • Included royal favourites, advisors, and members of nobility.

   • Activities: Plays, concerts, hunting, and royal progresses.

2. Privy Council:

   • Around 20 trusted men advising Elizabeth on state matters.

   • Managed various government areas including foreign policy and military.

   • Influenced parliamentary decisions and helped gauge public mood.

3. Patronage:

   • Essential for loyalty; helped Elizabeth control traditional noble families by rewarding those who relied on her for income.

The Elizabethan Government

1. Functions of Parliament:

   • Advice, taxation, and legislation.

   • Parliament was limited, as Elizabeth controlled topics they could discuss and the timing of meetings.

2. Mary, Queen of Scots:

   • Her claim to the throne posed a continuous threat; she was viewed as a legitimate rival by many Catholics.

   • Elizabeth imprisoned Mary to manage the threat, avoiding guilt associated with executing a queen.

The Northern Rebellion (1569)

1. Causes:

   • Political dissatisfaction among northern nobles, Catholic loyalties,

   • Economic grievances stemming from land confiscation.

2. Consequences:

   • Increased government control in the north, fears among the Protestant populace, punishment of the noble class involved.

The Catholic and Puritan Threats

1. Catholic Threat:

   • Excommunication of Elizabeth, increasing persecution of English Catholics, and plots to overthrow her.

   • Key figures: Mary, Queen of Scots; Francis Walsingham's spy network was crucial for thwarting plots.

   • Execution of Mary in 1587 was definitive in removing a rival but escalated tensions with Spain.

2. Puritan Threat:

   • Desire for a more Protestant church led to conflict with Elizabeth, who adhered to a more moderate approach.

   • Key events: Introduction of prophesyings, and the measures against Puritan clergy initiated by Archbishop Whitgift.

War with Spain

1. Reasons for Conflict:

   • Political rivalry, economic competition via privateering, and religious differences.

   • The Spanish Armada (1588) was a key conflict, influenced by Elizabeth’s support for Protestant rebels in the Netherlands.

2. English Advantages:

   • Improved naval technology, effective tactics favored mobility over large ship combat, better training of sailors.

   • Outcome led to a decline of a serious Spanish threat, enhancing Elizabeth's popularity and solidifying Protestantism in England.

Conclusion

• Significance of the Period: Understanding Elizabethan England involves grasping the interplay of various social, political, and religious dynamics, alongside the examination of key figures and events that shaped the era.

Exam Strategies:

• Plan responses carefully, focus on delivering structured thoughts with evidence, and be aware of broader historical contexts when addressing questions.