Elizabethan England Revision Guide: Chronology, Social Hierarchy, and Governance

Key Historical Chronology and Events

• 1532 — Start of the English Reformation:

  • Marks the official beginning of the English Reformation, initiating the political and religious process by which England began severing ties with Papal authority and the Roman Catholic Church.

• 1556–1558 — Dutch Revolt Against the Spanish:

  • The initial phase of the Dutch Revolt, in which Protestant factions in the Netherlands rose up in opposition to Spanish Catholic rule.

• 1556 — Papal Instruction to English Catholics:

  • The Pope issued an official papal instruction directing English Catholics that they should not attend Church of England services.

• 1558 — Elizabeth's Accession:

  • Elizabeth I accedes to the throne and becomes Queen of England following the death of Queen Mary I.

• 1559 — Significant Political, Foreign, and Religious Events:

  • Mary, Queen of Scots: Mary, Queen of Scots officially became the Queen of France following the accession of her husband, King Francis II.

  • Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis: Under the terms of this peace treaty between European powers, England was forced to return the territorial port of Calais to France.

  • Religious Settlement and Visitations: Queen Elizabeth introduced her Religious Settlement to establish the Protestant Church of England, and official Church visitations commenced across the realm to inspect parishes and enforce compliance.

• 1563 — Spanish Embargo on English Cloth:

  • King Philip II of Spain banned the import of English cloth into the Netherlands, severely disrupting trade and creating economic conflict between England and the Spanish Empire.

• 1567 — Shelter of Dutch Sea Beggars:

  • Queen Elizabeth granted permission for Dutch "Sea Beggars" (Protestant Dutch privateers and rebels resisting Spanish rule) to shelter in English harbours.

• 1568 — Flight of Mary, Queen of Scots:

  • Mary, Queen of Scots fled from Scotland following political turmoil and arrived in England, seeking refuge.

Social Structure and Hierarchy in Elizabethan England

• Aristocracy:

  • Defined as the highest social class in certain societies, possessing elite status, ancestral titles, and considerable land ownership.

• Nobility:

  • Members who belonged to the aristocracy and were actively part of Queen Elizabeth's royal court.

• Gentry:

  • People belonging to a high social class who held significant land and status, but were distinct from the nobility because they were not part of Queen Elizabeth's court.

• Yeomen:

  • Men who held or owned a small amount of land, holding an intermediate independent status within rural society.

• Tenant Farmers:

  • Agricultural workers who farmed rented land, which was usually owned by yeomen or members of the gentry.

• Merchants:

  • Traders involved in commercial business, wholesale trade, and international trade networks.

• Professionals:

  • Individuals working in specialized jobs that required formal higher education.

  • Example: Lawyers.

Governance, Legal Systems, and State Finances

• Privy Council:

  • A select group of crucial political advisors appointed to advise Queen Elizabeth on key matters of state administration, domestic policy, and foreign relations.

• Justices of the Peace (JPs):

  • Large landowners appointed at the local level who were responsible for keeping law and order across the counties.

• Extraordinary Taxation:

  • An occasional, additional form of taxation levied on the population to raise revenue for unexpected state expenses, especially to fund war.