GCSE Elizabethan England- 'Two features' potential questions and answers
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Course
History
Institution
GCSE
Provides all you need to know for GCSE History 'Give two features question', including ALL potential questions with answers to aid revision. Can be used for exam practice and revision, used in conjunction with the flashcards linked within the document. Written by Grade 9 student.
GCSE Edexcel History- Early Elizabethan England (1558-88)
Previous exam questions!
- Give two features of the attempts to colonise Virginia in the 1580’s
- Give two features of the theatre in Early Elizabethan England
- Give two features of the role of the Church of England in Early Elizabethan England
- Give two features of the Babington Plot
- Give two features of English involvement in the Netherlands, 1585-88
- Give two features of Elizabeth’s government
‘Give two features of...’ potential questions and indicative content (4 marks)
Give two features of problems faced by Elizabeth upon her accession to the
throne
- Her legitimacy: Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon was never annulled by the Pope, so
in the eyes of Catholics, Henry wasn’t truly married to Anne Boleyn when Elizabeth was born, and
therefore, she was illegitimate in the eyes of Catholics.
- Religion: Elizabeth was a Protestant ruling a Catholic country, so she faced the problem of
whether to keep Catholicism or switch to Protestantism.
Other points:
- Marriage and an heir: Elizabeth was expected to marry and produce an heir. Elizabeth was
reluctant to marry, which meant subordinating her power to a man. There was also the danger of
causing jealousy among nobles.
- Appointing a Privy Council: Mary’s council was too big to be effective, and they were all Catholics.
Elizabeth had to appoint a trustworthy council that wouldn’t alienate other nobles, but who were
also supportive and experienced.
- Gender: After the tumultuous reign of Mary, there was suspicion regarding another Queen on the
throne. Many also felt a woman was too weak to rule the country.
- Challenges with France: Elizabeth was faced with the decision to continue the war with France,
with the potential to regain Calais which would restore English pride or make peace with France
as Elizabeth and her councillors really had no interest in the war.
Give two features of Elizabethan society and government in 1588
- Society was hierarchal: Society was organised with the Monarch at the top, followed by Nobles,
Lords and the gentry, and then at last the labourers, servants and poor at the bottom.
- Government included a Privy Council: There were Elizabeth’s chief advisors who helped run the
country, and often advised on big state decisions such as war and religion; they were appointed
by Elizabeth at the beginning of her reign.
Give two features of Elizabeth’s Privy Council
- William Cecil was made Secretary of State: He controlled all government business, including the
meetings of Parliament, and was totally trusted by Elizabeth. Between them, they ran the country
for 40 years.
, - Elizabeth reduced the number of council members: Mary’s council was too large to be effective,
so Elizabeth reduced the council to 20 members. Around 10 members had served under Mary; the
rest were relatives and trusted colleagues.
Give two features of challenges from abroad upon Elizabeth’s accession
- England was at war with France: Mary I was married to Phillip II of Spain, so was determined to
support Spain against France. This meant England and France were at war, and there was a
potential for a French invasion
- Challenges with Scotland: Scotland was ruled by Mary, Queen of Scots, who had a strong claim to
the throne. Mary was married to the heir to the French throne, so both these Catholic countries
posed a threat to Elizabeth. Scotland had stationed French troops in the case of an attack.
Give two features of Elizabeth’s education
- She had an expensive education: she was privileged to have her own private tutor, Roger Ascham
- She was academically gifted: She had learnt four languages (Greek, Latin, French, Italian) and
was taught various other things such as needlework and archery
Give two features of the French threat in 1558
- Threat of invasion: France had troops stationed at the Scottish/English border due to the war
between France and Spain and England
- Threat to the crown: France had an interest in Elizabeth’s crown, as MQS was married to King
Francis of Spain, and many French people believed a Catholic, MQS, should be Queen of England
Give two features of Elizabeth’s religious settlement
- Involved the Act of Supremacy: This act established Elizabeth as ‘Supreme Governor of the
Church, avoiding the title ‘Head’ so Catholics could still recognise the Pope as Head of the Church
- Involved the Act of Uniformity: An act which set up a standard worship, involving a new book of
Prayer and decisions on how churches should look (She kept the ornate, decorated churches)
Give two features of the new Church of England
- Changes to the Church services: Bible and Church services were now in English, and a new
Protestant Prayer Book was introduced in every church
- Changes to the clergy: Members of the clergy had to wear a surplice rather than the ornately
decorated gowns that Catholics preferred, and all clergy had to take an oath recognising
Elizabeth’s title and the new Prayer Book
Give two features of how Elizabeth won support for her new Church
- Introduced Accession Day to the calendar of Church festivals: This was so people would associate
a day of feasting, drinking, and having fun with the Queen
- Described herself as the saviour of Protestantism: Used biblical sayings and portraits of herself to
show she was the restorer of true religion
Give two features of Puritan Religious belief
- Did not believe in Transubstantiation: they believed the bread and wine remained bread and
wine, and Jesus was present spiritually, not physically
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