Elizabethan england re-cap

When Elizabeth I became queen in 1558, she faced numerous challenges, including issues of gender, marriage, legitimacy, foreign threats, governance, societal structure, religious divisions, and responses to her religious settlement. Below is a detailed breakdown:

Problems Elizabeth Faced as Queen

1. Gender:

   • Elizabeth ruled in a male-dominated society where many doubted a woman’s ability to govern effectively.

   • She faced scrutiny over her decisions, with advisors and foreign rulers questioning her authority.

2. Marriage:

   • There was pressure to marry and produce an heir to secure the Tudor dynasty.

   • Marrying a foreign prince risked foreign influence over England, while marrying an English noble could create internal rivalries.

   • Remaining single led to her nickname, the "Virgin Queen," but it also kept her independent.

3. Legitimacy:

   • Many, especially Catholics, questioned her right to the throne because Henry VIII’s marriage to Anne Boleyn was declared invalid by the Pope.

   • This issue was compounded by the existence of Mary, Queen of Scots, a Catholic claimant.

Foreign Threats

• France and Scotland:
  France, allied with Scotland, posed a significant threat. Mary, Queen of Scots, was married to the French Dauphin and claimed Elizabeth's throne.

• Spain:
  Initially an ally, Spain became a threat due to Elizabeth’s Protestant policies and their support for Catholic rebellions.

• Papal Support for Rebellion:
  The Pope's excommunication of Elizabeth in 1570 encouraged Catholic powers to challenge her reign.

Elizabeth’s Government

• Privy Council:
  A group of trusted advisors helped Elizabeth manage state affairs, including figures like William Cecil and Francis Walsingham.

• Parliament:
  It had limited power, mostly convened to grant taxes. Elizabeth skillfully managed Parliament, often avoiding direct conflict.

• Royal Progresses:
  Elizabeth traveled around the country to build loyalty and strengthen her image as a caring monarch.

Elizabethan Society

• Hierarchy:
  Society was highly hierarchical, with the monarch at the top, followed by nobles, gentry, merchants, and peasants.

• Poverty:
  Widespread poverty and unemployment were growing concerns, leading to measures like the Poor Laws.

• Cultural Flourishing:
  The Elizabethan era saw the rise of the English Renaissance, including advancements in theater (Shakespeare) and exploration (Drake, Raleigh).

Religious Divisions

• Catholics vs. Protestants:
  England was deeply divided after years of religious turmoil. Elizabeth’s predecessor, Mary I, had reinstated Catholicism, while Edward VI had promoted Protestantism.

• Puritans:
  Radical Protestants wanted further reforms to remove Catholic elements from the Church of England.

The Religious Settlement

Elizabeth aimed for a middle way with her 1559 Religious Settlement:

1. Act of Supremacy:
   Declared Elizabeth Supreme Governor of the Church of England, asserting royal control over religious matters.

2. Act of Uniformity:
   Established a standardized form of worship, based on the Protestant Book of Common Prayer.

3. The Thirty-Nine Articles:
   These outlined the doctrine of the Church of England, blending Protestant theology with some traditional practices.

Challenges to the Settlement

1. Catholic Resistance:

   • Many Catholics refused to attend Anglican services (Recusants) and plotted against Elizabeth, such as the Ridolfi Plot (1571) and the Babington Plot (1586).

   • The Pope’s excommunication of Elizabeth encouraged rebellion and foreign intervention.

2. Protestant Challenges:

   • Puritans demanded further reforms, rejecting bishops and rituals they saw as remnants of Catholicism.

   • Some Puritans defied the settlement by preaching or publishing pamphlets criticizing the Church.