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Summary GCSE Edexcel History Elizabethan England Revision Booklet
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EdexcelHistory
Early
Elizabethan
England
Summary –
,Contents:
Key Topic One – PG 3
Society and government
Problems facing Virgin Queen
Doubts about Gender
Problems with legitimacy
Challenges at home
Challenges from abroad
Religious Divisions
Religious settlement
Opposition from Puritan and Catholic of Religious settlement
Mary Queen of Scots
Key Topic Two – PG 6
Key Topic Three – PG 11
, Early Elizabethan England – Key Topic One –
Queen, government and religion – 1558 to 1569
Society and government –
Society – Society was structured. Ranks were based on rural, agricultural, where wealth was
determined by owning land.
God – The Queen – Nobles and lords – the gentry – wealthy merchants – yeomen and farmers –
craftspeople, labourers, servants, poor
Monarch – made all decisions, advised by leading nobles, led armies in war, no armies so
relied on nobles and gentry. Enforced law and punished criminals, needed nobles and gentry to keep
law and order in each community.
Nobles – wealthiest landowners, less than 100, huge social influence. Expected to be
monarch’s leading advisers to deal with crime and social unrest.
Gentry – next layer down, made up of lesser nobles, knights, lawyers. Less wealthy than
nobles but still owned land. Monarch needed gentry to keep government running locally.
Wealthy merchants – Some who lived in towns with port could build up considerable fortune
from profits from trade, most mayors were merchants.
Government – Monarch was responsible for all big decisions – could only rule effectively with
support of nobility and gentry.
Queen – court the privy council – lords lieutenant – justice of the peace.
Queen – head of church – archbishops and bishops – priests – churchwardens
Queen – parliament, house of lords, house of commons.
Problems facing the Virgin Queen in 1558 –
1. Should she keep catholic religion or return to Protestantism?
2. All monarchs need to enforce law fairly and try reduce hardship and poverty. If harvests, war
or other events went badly, then poverty and unemployment would increase monarch’s
unpopularity and lead to rebellions.
3. Had to take decisions by herself, but expected to listen to Privy council, she had to choose
her councillors
4. Important to know who next monarch would be.
5. Two most powerful countries in Europe, France and Spain, were Catholic. England at war
with France. France allied with Scotland which could invade England. Defending country was
important. Defeat in war could lead to Elizabeth being deposed
6. Many people including wealthiest thought a woman was too weak to rule country.
7. Legitimacy or right to throne questioned by Catholics due to her parents’ marriage had been
illegal, making her illegitimate.
Elizabeth’s character and Strengths –
Parents – Anne Boleyn was beheaded. Elizabeth was declared illegitimate and lost the right to the
throne.
Education – Elizabeth was brought up as protestant and learned many languages. She was taught
bible stories, dancing, riding, archery, and needlework and was fond of music.
Danger – 1554, Mary 1 suspected Elizabeth of being involved in Wyatt’s Rebellion and accused of
treason.
, Doubt about whether Queen could rule successfully –
Women rulers were seen as un-natural. It did not fit the ideals of womanhood. Monarchs needed to
keep powerful novels under control – women seen as too weak to do this – Mary I reign confirms
this. There was nothing that Elizabeth would do to solve this problem unless she married
immediately or handed power over to her husband, could only solve this by proving she was a good
ruler.
Problem of Elizabeth’s legitimacy –
Problem of having a female ruler was made worse by people not believing she was legitimate to the
throne. Elizabeth’s father became Head of Church and Archbishop of Canterbury approved divorce
between Henry 8, and Anne Boleyn. Some believed only the Pope could authorise divorce so to them
Henry and Anne’s marriage was seen as not valid, Elizabeth was illegitimate.
Marriage and succession –
People expected Elizabeth would marry quick and have children to provide for the next Monarch.
Real problem was not whether to marry but who to marry to. If she married a nobleman, it could
cause anger and marrying a foreigner was a big problem – she could not risk hostility.
Challenges at home –
Choosing her councillors – Privy council was most important part of her government as it contained
men chosen as advisors and heads of departments, met frequently sometimes daily and advised on
decisions of state such as war, religion and marriage, and was responsible for administration such as
overseeing finances, meeting foreign ambassadors.
Elizabeth’s decisions – Made William Cecil secretary of state. Appointed rest of her council in 1 st 3
months. She chose her councillors by being careful and not trying to offend powerful men od chose
her relatives and trusted colleagues.
Financial weaknesses – Privy Council was responsible for every decision on financial expenditure.
1558, Elizabeth inherited debt of £300,000. Most of wealth came from land ownership. To
strengthen finances, Elizabeth severely cut back government spending from beginning of reign.
Crown lands were sold bringing in £600,000. Elizabeth paid of Mary’s debt and built-up reserve of
£300,000.
Challenges from Abroad –
Scotland – When she became Queen, Scotland was ruled by cousin, Mary Queen of Scots. However, Mary was living in
France as she was married to heir of French throne. This strong link between France and Scotland, both catholic countries,
was real threat to England. French soldiers were stationed in Scotland so England was in danger of joint attack from across
channel and at northern border.
Spain – Spain was most powerful and wealthiest country in Europe. Spanish Empire was made up of territories in Europe
and conquests in Central and South America. Devoutly was a catholic country committed to stopping the spread of
Protestantism. However, Spain and England were friendly for most of Tudor period and King Phillip II of Spain had married
Queen Mary 1.
France – 1558, France was at war with both England and Spain. During Mary’s reign, England allied with Spain as Mary was
married to the King. France also had direct interest in English crown, Mary Queen of Scots. France was catholic country and
many Catholics thought Mary should be Queen, this gave France a motive for invading England on her behalf.
Choices facing Elizabeth
Continue war against France – military victory would be popular; Calais might be regained which would restore
English pride. Victory would end danger of invasion from France and Scotland. Making peace may make her look weak.
Make peace with France – England only fighting as Mary wanted to support Spanish husband. Nothing to suggest
that England could win. England could not afford to continue sending aid to Spain. Defeat would get reign off to disastrous
start and lead to more problems.
Decision – Made peace with France in Treaty of Cateau–Cambresis.
Elizabeth spent over £100,000 at start of her reign on military arms, guns, pike heads, bows. Despite peace, fear of invasion
would continue. Phillip II worried about growing influence of France than Eliabeth’s religions so he kept on good terms.
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