The start of Elizabeth's reign (how she ruled) Flashcards
How was Mary Queen of Scots an early problem for Elizabeth?
Mary Queen of Scots was Elizabeth’s cousin and a Catholic, she was also the heir to the throne if Elizabeth had no children. This meant the Catholics had someone to back and want to kill Elizabeth so that they could have a catholic queen.
How was religion and problem for Elizabeth in the early stages of her reign?
Elizabeth was a Protestant but she did allow Catholic private worship in order to avoid any religious troubles which had been faced previously. Some Catholics still wanted Mary Queen of Scots as Queen and some Puritans wanted Elizabeth to be harsher against Catholics
How was foreign policy a problem for Elizabeth in the early stages of her reign?
France and Spain were Catholic and supported the Pope. France and Britain have been at war for years, they had control in Scotland as Queen Mary of Scots was the widow to the French king. Fighting in Scotland, Ireland and France had also taken place and Elizabeth was left to deal with all these conflicts
What was the religious settlement and when was it made?
Earliest settlement was made in 1559 and it was the two laws that Elizabeth passed: the act of uniformity and the act of supremacy. This was supposed to be the middle way that kept most people happy with the national religion
what was the act of uniformity?
The act of uniformity made Protestantism England’s official faith and set out the rules for how churches should run, which ceremonies could happen, decorations of churches, and services that were allowed. It stated that anyone not attending church would be fined 1 shilling, they were called a recusant. These rules were set out in the revised prayer book and maintained some Catholic traditions.
What was the act of supremacy?
The act of supremacy made Elizabeth supreme governor of the church, avoiding the term supreme head that her father used, because that should be Jesus, and she wishes to be seen as more lenient. She forced all government officials and church leaders to make an oath of loyalty to her, being treason if they didn’t, and only 250 out of 9000 church leaders lost their jobs for refusing to make this oath.
Give 5 rules in the religious settlement.
The queen would rule, supported by bishops
no public mass but private ones can be allowed
service and prayer books will be in English
churches can be decorated and some ceremonies allowed
must attend in the new church and if not to you would be fined, better than being killed like they would have been under Mary first’s reign
Who were Elizabeth’s Privy Council?
Group of 19 powerful noblemen appointed by Elizabeth to advise her on day-to-day runnings of the country, they did not control her. The small size meant minimalized conflict, stopped one man getting too much power or becoming disloyal. They would meet three times a week but by the end of her reign they were meeting every day. Elizabeth deliberately chose members who had opposing views in order to get good advice and to stop any one man getting too much power.
Who are the justices of the peace?
They were several selected local Gentry who insured they enforced laws in that area of the country. 1 justice of the peace could give a sentence of prison however two or more we needed to give the death penalty. They were so important they had to swear in oath to treat everyone equally on taking office. Enforced the Poor Law.
Who are the Lord lieutenants?
The Lord lieutenants what also often Privy Council members and they would raise the militia to fight for the queen they were appointed by Elizabeth to take administrative responsibility of an area of the country
What was parliament?
Parliament too was much like today, with the House of Lords containing nobility and the House of Commons containing the wealthy. They were not very powerful and it was up to Elizabeth when they met and if she cared for their advice however they did have influence over taxes and passing laws
Who was Sir William Cecil?
He studied law at Cambridge and was a member of Lincolnshire Gentry. He had a past as an MP and experience in Edwards Privy Council upon which, he became like a father figure to Elizabeth. He was very much like the queen, he didn’t like to rush and wanted to united the country through policies. He was a moderate protestant and became secretary of state in 1558. Given the title of Lord Burghley in 1571 and Lord treasurer in 1572
Who was Sir Francis walsingham?
Entered parliament in 1558 and studied at Cambridge and in Italy. He fled during bloody Mary’s reign and was a fervent puritan. He was very competent with languages and worked in Elizabeth’s government in 1568, then serving as an ambassador in Paris in the early 1570s before being appointed into the privy council in 1573 as spymaster general and in 1577 he was knighted.
Who was Robert Dudley?
He was the son of a disgraced Duke of Northumberland who was executed by Bloody Mary. He was a member of the Royal Court and master of the horse, personally responsible for Elizabeth’s safety. He spent time locked up just like Elizabeth during bloody Mary’s reign. He became a privy councilor in 1562 and earl of Leicester in 1564. He was a radical puritan and a childhood friend of Elizabeth, a possible lover
He was Sir Christopher Hatton?
A moderate Protestant who hated Puritans and was a Catholic sympathiser he became a gentleman of the Privy chamber and the Queen’s bodyguard. In parliament he helped Elizabeth control the MPs and in 1587 became Lord chancellor, in charge of laws and judges. He got his promotion by impressing Elizabeth with his dancing.
Who was at the top and the bottom of the Elizabethan society hierarchy?
Queen
Royal Court
Nobility
Gentry
Yeomans
Commoners
Why was there increased poverty and commoners, and why was this a problem?
Rising population, prices went up as more people wanted them
Inflation, wages fell, more people to do the work
cloth trade collapse, woolen cloth for in demand declined, left many unemployed
Wars, tax increase to pay for the wall
bad harvests
Changes in farming, many land owners decided to fill their fields with sheep and not grow crops lead to unemployment as well
What were the poor laws?
In 1601 Elizabeth brought a compulsory tax used to aid the poor, you either paid or went to prison. Begging was also banned and you could be whipped for it. Almhouses were set up to look after the impotent port, those who were unable to work due to age or disability. Any abled body poor who could do a day’s work and didn’t could be sentenced to death.
What did the Gentry do when Elizabeth was on her progresses?
A gentleman was expected to house Elizabeth and threw a lavish party for her and the Royal Court, up to 2000 people who were travelling with her. This could lead to again or loss in power depending on whether she was impressed
