Elizabeth: Section 2

Question 1

When was the revolt of the Northern Earls? 🤴

Answer 1

from 1569-70

Question 2

Why did the Earls rebel? (give three points)

Answer 2

The Earls and their followers wanted to make England Catholic again. Especially hated the appointment of James Pilkington, a protestant, as bishop in 1561.

The Earls had lost much of their influence in court under Elizabeth’s reign.

Elizabeth’s refusal to marry or name an heir created uncertainty. The earls fired a civil war.

Question 3

Why did the revolt fail? (give three points)

Answer 3

Support from Spain never arrived

Many northern landowners especially those in Lancashire and Chesire remained loyal to Elizabeth

Many landowners did not want to risk losing the wealth gained from the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VII by backing a failed revolt

Question 4

What was the significance of the Revolts? (give 4 points)

Answer 4

It showed Mary Queen of Scots could not be trusted- and she remained in prison

The pope excommunicated Elizabeth and called on loyal Catholics to depose her. Increase catholic plots against her.

The loyalty of English Catholics were now in doubt forcing the government to take harsher steps against them

Elizabeth’s control over the north of England increased.

Question 5

When was the Ridolfi plot?

Answer 5

1571

Question 6

What was the plot aim and who was the ringleader?

Answer 6

Roberto Ridolfi was an Italian banker who lived in England and was a spy for the pope
Ridolfi plotted to murder Elizabeth and put Mary on the throne, who would then, marry the Duke of Norfolk.

Question 7

What was Phillip the 2s rule in the Ridolfi plot?

Answer 7

Phillip II instructed the Duke of Alba to send 10,000 troops across the channel to back the revolt.
William Cecil busted them and accused Northfolk and Mary of high treason.

Question 8

Significance of the Ridolfi plot (give four points)

Answer 8

Reinforced threat from Spain and Phillip would support any plot against Elizabeth

Threat of Spain meant that relations with France had to improve

The government began to monitor Catholics more closely and treat them more severely. A law was passed in 1581 that converting people to catholicism would be treason

It confirmed English Catholics and Mary remained a threat to Elizabeth.

Question 9

When was the Throckmorton plot?

Answer 9

1583

Question 10

Why was the Throckmorton plot significant? (give three points)

Answer 10

Reveal the threat posed by modern foreign powers
The government treated Catholics with greater suspicion, and many fled England with 11,000 more imprisoned, kept under surveillance or on house arrest.
Showed political threats from Spain and France.

Question 11

What was the aim of the Throckmorton plot?

Answer 11

French Duke of Guise, cousin of Mary, plotted to invade England, free Mary and make England Catholic again.

Question 12

Why did the Throckmorton plot fail? (3)

Answer 12

Sir Francis Walsingham, discovered the plot in May 1583
In November 1583, Walsingham spies found papers at Throckmorton’s house which revealed his role in the conspiracy.
Throckmorton was arrested and tortured and executed in 1584.

Question 13

When was the Babington plot?

Answer 13

1586

Question 14

Significance of the Babington plot? (give four points)

Answer 14

Elizabeth’s situation was more precarious compared to other plots
By 1585 England and Spain were virtually at war
Persecutions of Catholics intensified- 31 priests executed
The plot led to the execution of Mary QOS- Elizabeth signed the death warrant in 1587.

Question 15

What was found at the Babington plot? (3)

Answer 15

Antony Babington wrote to Mary about the Throckmorton plot, and Francis Walsingham intercepted and read them. Letters showed Mary’s support and involvement in the plot.
Babington and the plotters hung drawn and quartered.

Question 16

Why was Sir Francis Walsingham so important? (3)

Answer 16

Walsingham’s actions provided intelligence that defeated plots, such as the Throckmorton and Babington plots.

His intelligence unmasked the activities of Mary Queen of Scots, which put pressure on her to execute her in early 1587

Hid actions also deterred further plots against Elizabeth.

Question 17

Describe 4 key features of Walsingham’s spy network

Answer 17

Walsingham had a network of spies and informants in every town

Some of Walsingham’s agents were paid and trained by the government

Others were paid informants. These were often people who knew or were likely to know potential plotters against the Queen. Catholic priests like John Hart who turned informant for a royal pardon.

Walsignham also used spies abroad. In places like France, Germany, Spain, Italy and North Africa.

Question 18

Describe Walsinghams methods (4)

Answer 18

Ciphers (special codes)

Some priests were tortured to deter others and force them to give up information.
The threat of execution and torture was often more effective, as it would provide

Walsignham with informants he could use against any plotters

Walsingham only used torture and execution in the most serious cases to ensure ordinary people did not sympathise with the plotters.

Question 19

Why was the execution of Mary Queen of Scotts significant? (4)

Answer 19

Mary was an anointed monarch executing her set a dangerous precedent. Elizabeth and her heirs could also meet the same fate if they were not careful.

Execution gave Phillip II more reason to attack England, as Mary left her claim to the throne to Phillip on her death

The persecution made the succession even more uncertain, increasing the chance of Civil war upon Elizabeth’s death.

The execution removed the threat to Elizabeth as Mary had been the focus of many Catholic plots to depose Elizabeth.

Question 20

Why was Mary Queen of Scots executed? (4)

Answer 20

Mary had been involved in a series of plots against Elizabeth
Walsingham spies unearthed evidence that Mary was involved with the plotters
The Spanish threat was very real by 1587, with rumours of invasion
Mary remained a rallying point for disgruntled Catholics who saw her as a legitimate queen.

Question 21

Explain two reasons for the relationship of Spain and England’s Deterioration

Answer 21

Religious Rivalry remained important as Spain was a Catholic country while England was now a Protestant monarch. Phillip II opposed Elizabeth’s religious settlement of 1559, this increased the fear of invasion combined with the Spanish involvement in a range of plots to depose Elizabeth. eg the Babington plot, Ridolfi and the Throckmorton plot. Spain viewed Protestantism as bad as heresy

The revolt of the Netherlands occurred when Dutch Protestants rebelled against Spanish rule. Spain accused England of encouraging the rebels while England worried about the presence of a large Spanish army just across the channel from England. This was made worse by the English tolerance of Sea beggars- Dutch rebels and sailors who attacked Spanish Ships- as well as mercenaries, such as John Casimir.

Question 22

Give two ways commercial rivaly led England and Spain to the brink of war

Answer 22

By the 1560s England and Spain had emerged as trade rivals. Both wanted the raw materials of the “new world” as well as trading opportunities in Turkey, Europe, Russia, China and North Africa. This was bound to lead to tensions between the two countries.
Tensions increased by Spain closed the Antwerp and Rhine to English traders, especially those involved in the wool trade. This resulted in English support for the Dutch rebels, making the relations between the two countries deteriorate further.

Question 23

Explain the Background to the war with Spain (2)

Answer 23

England signed the treaty of Nonsuch in August 1585 with the Dutch protestant rebels. This increased the likelihood of a war with Spain.

By the terms of the treaty, England would pay for an army of 7,400 English soldiers, led by English commander Robert Dudley- who would work with the rebels’ government. It would be likely this group would fight against Spain, even though war had not been declared.

Question 24

Why was the campaign in the Netherlands not a great success? (3)

Answer 24

Elizabeth still hoped to Negotiate with Phillip II
Some of Dudley’s officers deflected to the Spanish side
Dudley and Elizabeth had different aims in the Netherlands.

Question 25

What was the singeing of the King’s Beard?

Answer 25

In March 1587, Elizabeth ordered Francis Drake to attack the Spanish navy. Between the 19-22 of April, he attacked Cadiz a major Spanish naval port. Destroying 30 ships and as much of the fleets supplied. This attack was called the “singing of the King of Spain’s beard”.

Question 26

What was the importance of Drakes’s attacks on Cadiz and Spain? (3)

Answer 26

Spain had to take a break from building the armada to defend themselves from Drake.
The disruption Drake caused did not stop the Armada but delayed them by a year.
This bought England more time to prepare for the eventual Spanish attack and invasion in 1588.

Question 27

Give 4 reasons why Phillip launched the Spanish Armada.

Answer 27

Religious conflict- Phillip II was a devout Catholic, invasions gave him another opportunity to get rid of Elizabeth and place a Catholic on the English throne.
The pope also promise absolution (forgiveness of sins) for those taking part in the Armada

Acts of provocation- Drakes’s actions in the New World threatened Spanish commercial interests.

Politics and diplomacy- The Treaty of Joinvile (1584) meant Spain could attack England without the risk of war with France. Also, the Treaty of Nonsuch meant Phillip could justify attacking England. Plus, England would be a nice addition to Phillip’s empire.

Changing circumstances- spain acquired Portugal in 1580, giving Phillip II access to Portuguese ports and ships. Elizabeth’s hesitation in fully backing the Dutch rebels was a sign of weakness and encouraged Phillip to attack.

Question 28

Outline 6 reasons for the English victory

Answer 28

Spanish ships lack supplies and provisions, including food, for a long voyage. The Spanish fleet was at sea for 10 weeks and by early August the food had rotted. Damaged Spanish Morale.

English tactics were superior. Use of fireships at the Battle of Gravelines.

English ships were better armed and equipped. Cannons could be reloaded and fired more quickly.

Spanish panicked. A key turning point was the Battle of Gravelines, where the English fireships. Many captains panicked, cut their anchors and drifted to the North Sea.

The weather. Gale force winds caused most of the destruction to the Spanish ships. Many ships were destroyed off the west of Ireland.

Communication issues- no communication between the Duke of Parma and the Duke of Medina Sidonia. No deep-water ports so they could not stop and had to meet up at sea, which made communication hard.

Question 29

Explain 4 consequences of English Victory for England

Answer 29

English Navy Strengthened- Defeat of the Armada showed the strength of the English Navy. Boosted English confidence to Explore.

Foreign policy- Stronger alliances in England. Anglo-Dutch alliance strengthened and Protestantism in the Netherlands survived, strengthening the protestant cause in England. Also meant England had Protestant allies in Europe.

Elizabeth’s authority enhanced- The queen took centre stage at the victory parade in London, she could portray herself as a military victor.

Protestants cause stronger in England- Victory of the English “underdog” suggested God was on the Protestant side. Persuaded some people to accept the protestant rule.

Question 30

Name 3 consequences of the Spanish defeat for Spain.

Answer 30

Spain’s war with England continued for the rest of Elizabeth’s reign

Major military and financial setback for Phillip

Spanish prestige was broken, and other countries were more willing to challenge Spain’s power- which led to the gradual decline of the Spanish Empire.