Elizabeth Flashcards
(110 cards)
Importance of propaganda
Portraits used to give impression of
power, crontrol, wealth & majesty
sought to convey youthfulness as grew older
celebrate successes eg defeat of Armada
convey idea of strong gov & political stability
Problems 1558
Gender - women not seen capable of ruling
danger trying to secure heir
Religion - years of upheaval
officially Catholic
Protestants want radical reform - Catholics oppose
Gov & politics - large Privy Council (loyal to Mary)
factional rivalry threat
vulnerable to potential rivals to throne (had no heir)
Soc & eco - high inflation
debasement of the coinage problems not solved
Mary war debts - insolvent crown & Crown lands sold
Foreign policy - war with France not settled
danger of Auld Alliance
Habsburg-Valois war coming to end (France/Spain larger threat)
Protestantism risk of invasion by Catholic countries
lack of control in Ireland
Immediate consolidation of power
17 Nov 1558 proclaimed Queen by Parliament
Appointed William Cecil Secretary of State
Reduced size Privy Council (40-20) - 9 new men (factionalism?)
Dec 1558 Royal Proclaimation forbade preaching prayer/practices unless already enshrined in law (stability)
15 Jan 1559 coronation - magnificence (religious aspect - God crowning)
Philip of Spain confirmed lack of opposition
1559 Elizabetthan Religious Settlement
Aims for religion
End turmoil & establish doctrine followed by all subject
Own views mostly Protestant
but did like some aspects of Catholic ceremonies
Felt faith private matter - not for state to intervene in
Viewed disobedience to religious laws challenge to authority
Via Media
Middle Way
to satisify both conservatives & reformers
Only ally 1558 = Catholic Philip of Spain
middle way essential
How she achieved religious aims
Appointed Privy Council that was Protestant
Took measures ensure complete control over clergy
1559 11 diocesses with vacancies for bishop - easily appoint Protestants
most clergy swore Oath of Allegiance
Most population conformed - little initial resistance
‘Purtian Choir’
Protestants in Parliament
pushed in more radical direction
Much opposition came from demands for more radical reform
Act of Supremacy
1559
Re-established monarch & removed Pope
Eliazbeth adopted title ‘Supreme Governor’
as compromise for Catholics
Crown had complete authority
Cleary required swear oath of loyalty
Counrt of High Commission established
to prosecute those whose loyalty was suspect
Act of Uniformity
1559
Appearance of churches restored to 1549
New english prayer book used
Communion tables replaces stone alters
(crosses & candles could be placed on)
Priests wear traditional vestments
Church attendance compulsory - fined for failure
Heavy fine for attending Catholic Mass - execution for leading
Commoners more affected by ceremonial change - compromise reflects
Fines for non-attendence initially small & often not imposed
Royal Injunctions
1559
Preachers needed license from Bishop
Every church display English bible
Pilgrimages outlawed
No more stone altars destroyed
Music allowed
Made sure only Protestant practises & services took place
Prayer Book
1559
Merged wording of 1549 & 1552 prayer books
Compromised transubstantation - 2 different wordings
Thirty-Nine Articles of Faith
1563
Set about re-writing doctrine & liturgy
Made law in 1571
Emphasised importance of predestination
Long-lasting - principle of CoE today
Act of Exchange
1559
Churches taxes paid to monarch not Pope
Parliament gave Elizabeth permission to take over Bishops’ property
Helped shortage of Crown Finances
Rarely confiscated land
threat useful deterrent & may explain lack of opposition from Bishops
Success of Religious Settlement
Established personal authority (in line w/ own belief’s)
Compromise evidence of leadership skills
Seen as final settlement - end turmoil
Vague enough to please Catholics & Protestants
No initial damage to international security
Prioritised order&conformity over devotion (unlike Edward’s gov)
Radical Protestants expected further change - small challenge
Hardcore Catholic support remained
Catholic reaction to Religious Settlement
Initially seemed relatively content
few prosecutions from non-attendence
few executed for refusing to swear Oath of Supremacy
no widespread non-attendance
lack of leadership of Catholics to rally against Settlement
1562 Pope prohibited Catholics attending Anglican services
all bishops (bar 1) rejected - replaced & imprisoned
est. 400 clergy lost post/resigned
gradually became more organised - led to Northen Rebellion
Protestant reaction to Religious Settlement
Some saw as first step of reform
some refused to accept compromise (eg. Foxe)
Puritans refused to accept - stronger in London/south/midlands
1563 Puritans tried include further measures
(eg.reduction of Holy Days / simplification of vestements)
1566 Vestiarian Controversy emerged of clothes worn by priests
Foreign policy aims 1558-1566
Protect border with Scotland
Protect trade in English Channel
Remove England from conflicts to restore Crown finances
Consolidate position
Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis
1559
End of Habsburg-Valois conflict
England agreed:
Calais remain under French control for 8 years
returned to England if peace maintained
if France failed return - pay England £125,000
Removed England from unaffordable conflict
Less likely Scotland cause problems
Crisis in Scotland/changing relations with France
Francis II became French King 1559
Married Mary Queen of Scots
brought Catholic Guise faction to power
- Mary of Guise Scottish Regent
French troops sent to Scotland
Protestant Scottish Lords asked England for assistance
Cecil urged Elizabeth to intervene & support Protestants
Cecil threatened to resign if not support
Intervention in Scotland 1560
Initially support limited by money & armaments
Dec 1559 navy sent to Firth of Forth - stop more French troops landing
Treaty of Berwick Feb 1560
England offer military support to Scottish Lords
March army sent north
Army & navy attempted siege Leith (French forces based) - failed
Mary of Guise died 1560 & severe damage to French fleet
change situation
July 1560 Cecil secured Treaty of Edinburgh
Protestant Lords of the Congregation recognised as Scottish gov
All French/English forces withdrawn from Scotland
Mary & Francis II agree not use arms/signs of England in heraldry
Impact of Treaty of Edinburgh
Scotland was Protestant nation therefore ally of England
Mary Stuart remained in France until 1561
Francis died Dec 1560 - Mary forced return to Scotland
Intervention in France
Mar 1562 conflict between French Catholics & Protestants (Huguenots)
Robert Dudley urged Elizabeth
pressure France whilst vulnerable to return Calais
Elizabeth promised Huguenots leader Prince of Condé
6000 men & £30,000 loan - England took control Le Havre as security
Huguenots army defeated
both sides sought peace
& joined together to drive England out Le Havre
England sign unfavourable Treaty of Troyes 1564
Agreed Calais not returned to England
Lost insurance fee of Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis
Blow to prestige
Long term advantage:
Calais expensive to maintain
Made Elizabeth more caution to future intervention
Society 1558-1563
Population growth:
c1.5 million (1470) - c4 million (1601)
rose 43% 1550-1600
growth higher south-east/London
due to growing imunities /relative peace
Epidemics:
Small pox 1562 (almost killed Elizabeth)
Plague 1563 in London - 20% population killed
Changes to social groups 1558 - 1563
Nobility remianed most powerful
Owned approx. 10% farmable land
Gentry grew in size/status & wealth
Increased from c300-600
Lower class rise in pop led to fall in living standards
Growth of industries in towns - increased no. waged labourers
Very limited social mobility