Elizabeth I - Society

Question 1

Northern Rebellion (1569)

Answer 1

• AKA the Revolt of the Northern Earls.
• Desire to restore Catholicism and Mary, Queen of Scots.
• Took Durham; failed to free Mary; fled North.
• Failure – no support locally or from Philip II of Spain.

Question 2

Ridolfi Plot (1571)

Answer 2

• Plan to replace Elizabeth with Mary, Queen of Scots to reinstate Catholicism.
• Plot discovered; Duke of Norfolk executed.
• Failure – intercepted before action.

Question 3

Throckmorton Plot (1583)

Answer 3

• Catholic plan to assassinate Elizabeth and place Mary on the throne.
• Spanish ambassador expelled; plot crushed.
• Failure – increased anti-Catholic laws.

Question 4

Babington Plot (1586)

Answer 4

• Assassination plot against Elizabeth I.
• Secret messages to Mary uncovered by Walsingham.
• Failure – led to Mary, Queen of Scots’ house arrest and eventual execution.

Question 5

Essex Rebellion (1601)

Answer 5

• Essex’s personal ambition and court rivalry.
• Attempted coup in London; gained little support.
• Failure – Essex executed.

Question 6

Elizabethan Religious Settlement (1559)

Answer 6

• Established the Church of England as Protestant but kept some Catholic traditions.
• Success: Created a middle way (“via media”) that avoided major religious wars and gained moderate support.

Question 7

Act of Supremacy (1559)

Answer 7

• Made Elizabeth the “Supreme Governor” of the Church of England.
• Success: Asserted royal control over the Church while avoiding the title “Head” to appease both Protestants and Catholics.

Question 8

Act of Uniformity (1559)

Answer 8

• Required all to attend Church of England services and use the same prayer book.
• Success: Enforced unity and reduced open Catholic worship, though penalties were moderate at first.

Question 9

Catholic Opposition and Recusancy Laws

Answer 9

Laws punished those refusing to attend Anglican services (recusants), especially after 1570.
Partial Success: Helped suppress Catholic plots, but harsh laws after the Pope excommunicated Elizabeth increased tension.

Question 10

Limited Control Over Catholic Resistance

Answer 10

• Despite reforms, many Catholics continued secret worship and loyalty to the Pope.
• Unsuccessful: Catholic plots (e.g., Ridolfi, Babington) and Mary Queen of Scots’ presence kept England under threat, showing limits of enforcement and ongoing division.