elizabethan england Flashcards
(30 cards)
Why did Elizabeth not marry?
Political independence, potential foreign influence, no suitable Protestant match, fear of factionalism, and she claimed to be “married to England.”
What were the 2 key laws of the Religious Settlement?
Act of Supremacy (Elizabeth as Supreme Governor) and Act of Uniformity (use of 1552 Book of Common Prayer).
What did the Royal Injunctions do?
Enforced uniformity — clergy had to teach loyalty to Elizabeth, report recusants, and wear specific vestments.
What was the impact of the Religious Settlement?
Most accepted it; Puritans opposed vestments; Catholics obeyed in public but continued Mass privately.
What was the Vestments Controversy (1566)?
Some Puritan priests refused to wear clerical robes. Elizabeth ordered the Archbishop of Canterbury to enforce conformity.
What was the Papal Bull of 1570?
Pope Pius V excommunicated Elizabeth, encouraging rebellion. Parliament responded with stricter anti-Catholic laws.
What were Recusancy Fines?
Fines for not attending Church of England services; increased from 1 shilling to £20 by 1581.
Why did Mary flee to England in 1568?
She was forced to abdicate in Scotland and sought Elizabeth’s help — she was seen as a Catholic threat.
Why was Mary a threat?
Had a strong claim to the throne, was Catholic, supported by France and Spain, and was the figurehead for plots.
Why was Mary executed in 1587?
After the Babington Plot, Elizabeth reluctantly agreed — Walsingham had damning ciphered letters as evidence.
What was the Northern Rebellion (1569)?
Catholic Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland tried to replace Elizabeth with Mary. It failed due to poor planning and no foreign support.
What was the Ridolfi Plot (1571)?
Roberto Ridolfi planned to marry Mary to the Duke of Norfolk and invade England with Spanish troops. Norfolk was executed.
What was the Throckmorton Plot (1583)?
A French-backed Catholic invasion plan, supported by the Pope. Throckmorton was executed; surveillance increased.
What was the Babington Plot (1586)?
A plot to assassinate Elizabeth and crown Mary. Walsingham intercepted cipher letters. Mary was tried and executed.
How did Walsingham’s spy network help Elizabeth?
Used informants, code-breakers, and double agents. Protected the queen and uncovered Catholic plots.
Why did England and Spain become enemies?
Religious tensions (Protestant vs. Catholic), piracy, Dutch Revolt, Elizabeth’s rejection of Philip’s marriage proposal.
What was the ‘Singeing of the King’s Beard’?
Drake’s 1587 raid on Cadiz delayed the Armada by a year, destroying Spanish ships and supplies.
Why did the Spanish Armada fail (1588)?
Poor planning, communication failures, English fireships at Calais, superior English tactics (line formation), and storms wrecked the retreat.
What was the significance of the Armada’s failure?
England’s survival boosted Elizabeth’s popularity; seen as Protestant victory; Spanish power declined.
What factors encouraged exploration in Elizabethan England?
Advances in navigation (astrolabe, compasses), ship design (galleons), and the desire for trade and empire.
What did Sir Francis Drake achieve?
First Englishman to circumnavigate the globe (1577–80), attacked Spanish ports, knighted by Elizabeth.
What were Raleigh’s colonisation attempts?
Tried to establish a colony at Roanoke (1585 and 1587). Both failed due to poor supplies and conflict with natives.
What were the different types of schools?
Petty schools (basic literacy), grammar schools (Latin, classics for boys), and universities (Oxford/Cambridge).
How did leisure activities vary by class?
Nobles: hunting, fencing, tennis. Commoners: football (violent), bear-baiting, fairs, and mystery plays.
