Elizabethan England Revision

Questions:

Interpretation (How convincing) (8 marks)Explain (8 marks)Write an account (8 marks)Environment Study (16 marks)

AQA Part one: Elizabeth's Court and Parliament:

• Who was Elizabeth and the context in England in 1558.

• Elizabeth I and her court: Elizabeth’s family background

• Elizabeth I: character of Elizabeth I.

• Court life, including patronage.

• Key ministers

• The difficulties of a female ruler

• Elizabeth’s relations with Parliament.

• The problem of marriage and the succession

• The strength of Elizabeth’s authority at the end of her reign,

• Essex’s rebellion in 1601.

Context in 1558?

Henry VIII-Edward VI-Mary I-Then Elizabeth.

Country had changed religion- Catholic-Protestant-stricter Protestant-Back to Catholic. Elizabeth needed to stabilise the religion.

Problems: Unmarried, religious turmoil, a woman therefore seen as weak, lots of poverty and debt caused by Henry. Needed to decided which advisors she could trust.

Elizabeth’s family background

Mother: Anne Boleyn- Henry had an affair with Anne and then divorced Catherine to marry Anne and changed the church and religion in the process. Had Anne beheaded when Elizabeth was two. Declared Elizabeth and Mary illegitimate,. Elizabeth lived a difficult childhood and was brought up by tutors and nannies, but wanted to please her father and had Kat Astley her nanny who she became very close to.

Father: Henry VIII-Very tyrannical style of government-lots of opponents executed. Catherine Parr, final stepmother acted as a mother figure towards her. Elizabeth only met her father several times throughout her life. Catherine encouraged her to have more of a role and A Third Act of succession declared her as a formal heir to the throne.

Mary/Edward- Mary known as ‘Bloody Mary’-Edward- Strict religious changes. Elizabeth had been imprisoned by her sister Mary in the Tower of London, accused of working secretly with rebels.

Elizabeth I’s character

Very intelligent-spoke 5 languages, received same standard of education as Edward did. Accomplished at sports and dancing.

Elizabeth’s traumatic early life experiences made her a stronger character and was clever, cautious and courageous.

Elizabeth’s Court

Royal Court- Mobile operation, not confined to one building. Located wherever the Queen was.Made up of the Queen’s household (About 500 nobles, advisors, officials and servants who all lived with her and competed for power and influence)

Called ‘Courtiers’. Spent time in many of her palaces. Progresses- would travel to the homes of the nobility in the summer months. Elizabeth’s subjects would host. Good for propaganda and support for the Queen.

Performance- Elaborate banquets

Patronage- Gave male courtiers political roles and encouraged rivalry and competition which kept Courtiers loyal to Elizabeth. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc6exSlx5jA

The Privy Council and Key Ministers

The Privy Council Co ordinated the financial departments, law courts and regional bodies. Members were generally chosen from the nobility, the Gentry and the church.

The Privy Council were to provide advice, but Elizabeth was not obliged to take their advice.

The council had a lot of powers and could make arrests of individuals, but they rarely used these powers.

Divide and Rule- Elizabeth liked her key ministers and members of her privy council to compete for her attention. Sir William Cecil-Closest advisor-Over 40 years. (Replaced by Robert Cecil) Sir Francis Walsingham-Foreign Ambassador.Robert Dudley-Closest childhood friend/Master of the Horse-Responsible for her safety. Sir Christopher Hatton-Captain of the Queen’s bodyguard.

These were the key figures in Elizabeth’s

Privy Council

Sir William Cecil

Robert Dudley

Sir Christopher Hatton

Sir Francis Walsingham

Elizabeth and Parliament

Elizabeth decided how often Parliament should meet and for how long for. Parliament was called if the Monarch needed new laws to be passed or wanted to introduce new taxes.

First Act Of Parliament was establishing a new Protestant church.Parliament’s role was changing and now becoming more important. Parliament’s role was to turn Elizabeth’s policies into laws.

Elizabeth had to rely on Parliament’s taxes due to the financial difficulties she faced from her father’s legacy.

Parliament- House of Lords and House of Commons. Lords- nobility, Commons-elected.

MPs became more confident in arguing against the Queen. Elizabeth made use of her powers to limit the influence of Parliament.

Difficulties of a female ruler

Few at her time of succession, thought that she was up to the job. View at the time that women were not intellectually up to the role of the Monarch and that women were not as intelligent as men.

Queens were supposed to be kind, maternal and religious and supposed to be in the role as the wife of a King and not the sole ruler.

Protestant John Knox wrote a book criticising female rulers. He meant it about Mary but it came out around the time of Elizabeth’s succession and she viewed him as a political enemy.

The problem of Marriage and the Succession

Elizabeth 25 when she came to the throne and unmarried. Had lots of potential suitors but none seen as suitable.

Worried that a man would try and steal her power/authority.

Elizabeth would not name and heir and kept people wondering for years whether she should marry.

When she got passed childbearing age, issues began over who would be an heir and Elizabeth still refused to acknowledge. 1562-Elizabeth contracted Smallpox and the Doctors told Cecil she may not survive. Parliament urged Elizabeth to make a decisionLady Catherine and Lady Mary Grey were seen as possibilities but they displeased Elizabeth by both marrying without her permission.

Mary Queen of Scots-Strong claim to the English Throne. By the end of Elizabeth’s reign, the succession crisis resolved itself by accident as most eligible contenders died, and James I, Mary Queen of Scots son was to be the heir.

The strength of Elizabeth’s authority at the end of her reign/The Essex Rebellion

1590’s-Elizabeth’s government was in crisis. The country had been seriously damaged by war, plague and poverty. Elizabeth’s state was said to be weakening and this was made worse when Cecil died in 1598.

Essex RebellionRobert Devereaux-Earl of Essex.(Robert Dudley’s stepson) Very powerful man but unpredictable and often angered the Queen.Once insulted the Queen and she punched him and banished him from Court.

Given another chance to defeat a rebellion in Ireland, led by the Earl of Tyrone. Miscalculated and made peace with the Earl against Elizabeth’s wishes. Was very angry when found out Cecil was promoted in his absence and stormed into the Queen’s bed chamber, which was seen as an act of disrespect. Organised a rebellion of 300 to march on London, but was shut down within 12 hours. Showed instability but also successful swift action.

Elizabeth Chapter Two Revision

Chapter Two

• A ‘Golden Age’: living standards and fashions

• Growing prosperity and the rise of the gentry

• The Elizabethan theatre and its achievements

• Attitudes to the theatre.

• The poor: reasons for the increase in poverty; attitudes and responses to poverty;

• The reasons for government action and the seriousness of the problem.

• English sailors: Hawkins and Drake;

• circumnavigation 1577–1580, voyages and

• trade; the role of Raleigh.

A ‘Golden Age’ Living Standards and Fashions

An English Renaissance- Cultural movement, new era of discovery and change. (Science, maths, the world, new educational facilities) Literature flourished.

The rise of the Gentry- not titled nobility, but wealthy in their own right. Gentry dominated the house of commons.

Fashions- People looked to Elizabeth and her Court as fashion inspiration. Seen as a status symbol. Clothing laws.

Architecture-Building boom and development-modelled on Italian Renaissance. Classically influenced as well as wattle and daub. Not as much of a need for defensive features as secure government.

Elizabeth created a ‘Cult of Personality’ for Propaganda which helped her to establish a strong government.

Growing Prosperity and the Rise of the Gentry

Due to trade, period was becoming more wealthy.

Gentry were new group who were wealthy through their own work.

Tudors were suspicious of the ‘old nobility’ who Elizabeth often saw as a threat.

Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry meant that more land was available for people to buy. Gentry built large estates (Such as Hardwick Hall)

The Theatre

Theatre at first seen as a place for ‘Vagabonds’ and people in society the wealthy said were ‘immoral’. 1572-Theatres had to have licences. Actors had to form guilds. This encouraged them to be more united rather than discourage them from performing.

The first theatre- Called ‘The Theatre’. Most theatres outside city walls in areas were crime was common, but they started to become more popular. People wanted to socialise, buy food and drink and network/

Theatre in the round-social classes tiered seating- ‘Pit’ rotten fruit and vegetables thrown at the audience. Women not allowed to perform. Playwrights such as Shakespeare.

Elizabeth began to use the theatre and plays for her own Propaganda and political messages reflecting ‘The Great Chain of Being’.

Poverty

Causes of poverty- Population growth, Rising prices and inflation, lots of wars had been fought and there were out of work soldiers. Agricultural crisis, government took control of the land (enclosure), greedy landlords pushed up rent prices.

Attitudes towards the poor- Elizabethans had the view that there were two groups: The idle poor and the impotent poor. Worried about rebellion. Many pretended to be ill to gain sympathy.

Support- Did have the monasteries in the past that had always cared for the sick but Henry closed these down.

Local measures installed such as ALMS houses which cared for the poor and sick.

The Poor Law- 1597 and then 1601.Paid for with taxes and parish officials would be overseers of the poor. Elizabeth did not want to risk rebellion.

Exploration

Trade with the East-Wanted to import silk and other luxury goods. Ottoman empire placed high taxes on goods travelling through so wanted to find new route.

Christopher Columbus-The New World. Amerigo Vespucci-Named the Americas.

Spanish and Portuguese colonies became very successful with their global empires and colonies which were making them rich-Britain started to be jealous of their success.

Privateers-Known to the Spanish as pirates, but Elizabeth legally allowed this. English wanted to set up new trading links.

Trade with the New World- John Hawkins. Clashed with the Spanish and then redesigned the navy. Hawkins’ cousin was Francis Drake. Francis Drake- Circumnavigated the globe. Explorers sworn to secrecy about their voyages. Sir Walter Raleigh-Led a voyage to America and established a colony.

Exploration-Hawkins, Drake and Raleigh

John Hawkins• 1560’s made three

voyages to the New World. Traded slaves and made huge profit.

• Returned to England with Gold, Silver and animal skins.

• Last voyage was attacked by Spanish. Began to redesign the Navy.

Sir Francis Drake• Famous English explorer

and privateer. Hated Spain and was a Puritan. Spanish called him ‘El Draque’.

• Circumnavigated the globe. • £400,000 treasure

captured from Spain. • Knighted by Elizabeth on

his ship, the Golden Hind. • Played a crucial role in the

defeat of the Armada.

Sir Walter Raleigh• Led voyages to the Americas.

Given a Royal patent to establish a colony. Named it Virginia in honour of Elizabeth.Suffered set backs with colony facing food shortages.

• Unsuccessful Voyage to El Dorado.

• Introduced Potatoes and tobacco.

• Fell from grace for marrying and put in Tower of London but released.

The Ottoman Empire

Elizabeth Chapter Three Revision

Chapter Three-Troubles at Home and Abroad

• Religious matters: the question of religion, English Catholicism and Protestantism.

• The Northern Rebellion. • Elizabeth's excommunication. • The missionaries; Catholic plots and the threat to the Elizabethan settlement• The nature and ideas of the Puritans and Puritanism. • Elizabeth and her government's responses and policies towards religious

matters.• Mary Queen of Scots: background; Elizabeth and Parliament’s treatment of

Mary; the challenge posed by Mary; plots; execution and its impact.• Conflict with Spain: reasons; events; naval warfare, including tactics and

technology; the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

The Elizabethan Religious Settlements

Elizabeth=Protestant (Anne Boleyn's daughter)• When she became queen got ride of elements of Catholicism her sister Mary

had reintroduced. • Needed to establish a ‘middle way’ after the religious rollercoaster. • Elizabeth liked certain elements of Catholicism.• Did not want religious turmoil to lead to a Civil War.• Protestant Strong in the South and Catholicism in the North.• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GbkZ_Y1AeQ

Act of Supremacy 1559 This was Elizabeth’s political aims regarding the church. It re-established that England was broken from Rome. Elizabeth gave herself the title Supreme Governor rather than Supreme Head which Henry and Edward had used. She hoped this would pacify the Catholics who still thought of the ‘Pope’ as the Head of the Church. All members of the Clergy to swear oath of loyalty to her. The Act said that the Church would keep two Archbishops, The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York. Various bishops below them would then help them and Elizabeth to run the Church. This was to try and keep the Catholic structure in place and keep Catholics happy. The Court of High Commission monitored people, and prosecuted those who seemed to be disloyal.

The Act of Uniformity 1559 and The Thirty Nine Articles 1563 In 1559 the Act of Uniformity was passed. This aimed to end arguments between the Protestants and Catholics by making it clear what the Anglican Church believed in. It provided a Book of Common Prayer. The Thirty Nine Articles was an amendment of the Act of Uniformity and gave Elizabeth the chance to present exactly which rules the Church was going to follow.

• The Church created was Protestant.• A new book of common prayer was issued. • Catholic Mass was abandoned. • The Bible was written in English and the services were to be held in English. • The clergy were allowed to marry. • Old Catholic practices such as Pilgrimages and Saints images were banned. • The Catholic Alter was replaced by the Protestant Communion table but it was allowed to have ornaments,

crosses and candles. • Priests wore Catholic style Vestments (Priest’s clothes) rather than the plain black ones worn by Protestants.

Catholic Opposition

Lots of high position Catholics who refused to recognise Elizabeth as Head of the Church. Pope ordered Catholics not to attend Anglican services. Recusants who followed the Pope’s orders were fined 1 shilling a week. Anyone caught giving mass could be punished by death. 1568-School for Seminary Priests set up to train English Catholics as Missionaries. The Treason Act 1571-Denying Elizabeth as leader and bringing Papal Bull into England could be punishable by death. The Jesuits-St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre in France (Protestants killed in riot believed to be supported by Catholic government) Jesuits sent to England to train Catholic missionaries.

Elizabeth tightens control- groups of Catholics not allowed to meet. By 1603 the government campaign against Catholics had been largely successful in squashing the Catholic threat.

The Northern Rebellion 1569

Mary Queen of Scot’s arrival in England triggered a Catholic rebellion. Plot started as a Court Conspiracy.Duke of Norfolk was very wealthy-frustrated by Cecil’s power. Catholic-did not like government policies towards Spain.Norfolk planned to marry Mary and set her up as Elizabeth’s heir.

• No plan to remove Elizabeth as Queen at this point.• Two people involved: Robert Dudley and Nicolas Throckmorton- Dudley did not like Cecil’s

power either. Dudley felt too guilty and confessed to Elizabeth. Norfolk begged for forgiveness.

• Elizabeth summoned the Earl of Northumberland and the Earl of Westmoreland to Court. They were both Catholics she suspected of disloyalty. This backfired and they organised a rebellion.

• Started at Durham Cathedral and expected help from the Spanish. Rebellion failed as no help came from the Spanish and was badly organised. Elizabeth gained back control by executing over 450 rebels.

The Northern Rebellion 1569

Elizabeth’s Excommunication

Elizabeth was excommunicated by the Pope in 1570. This means you are cast out of the Catholic Church. The Papal Bull was a decree issued by the Pope which said that Elizabeth would be excommunicated and no longer be part of the Catholic Church.

Puritan Opposition

Puritans found the ‘Middle Way’ offensive.Elizabeth horrified by suggestion to remove church hierarchy as she saw this as a threat to her own authority-therefore challenging her rule.Puritans not allowed to have pamphlets printed.

Archbishop of Canterbury-Edmund Grindal-Elizabeth and him disagreed about bible meetings as she felt this was an excuse for radical ideas to be discussed. John Whitgift replaced him and wash much harsher on Puritans, causing many of them to break away completely. Elizabeth treated Puritans harshly and one had his hand cut off for distributing Puritan pamphlets.

Her ‘Middle Way’ Religious settlement did satisfy most people and succeed in winning over the majority of the population.

Plots

The Ridolfi Plot 1571: Ridolfi was an Italian Catholic banker. Aimed to restore Catholicism in England. Involved Mary QOS, Pope, King Philip and Norfolk. Plan was to assassinate Elizabeth and put Mary on the throne. Elizabeth’s intelligence discovered the plot. Mary formally not allowed to be an heir, Norfolk was beheaded.

The Throckmorton Plot 1583:Plan for a French Catholic force to invade England. Again Mary central to plot-kill Elizabeth and make her Queen. Walsingham discovered the plot before could be carried out. No more Spanish Ambassadors allowed in England during Elizabeth’s reign.

The Babington Plot 1586: Mary now under strict house arrest, but a plot by Anthony Babington involved putting Mary on the throne. Letters intercepted by Walsingham. Coded letters intercepted. Mary eventually executed but Elizabeth did not want this as had made Mary a martyr for the Catholic cause.

Mary Queen of Scots

• Elizabeth’s cousin• Perceived to be the biggest

threat to Elizabeth’s rule-some thought she should be the rightful Catholic heir.

• Elizabeth even suggested she married Robert Dudley so she could watch her carefully.

• Fled to England after being accused of killing Darnley.

• Elizabeth kept her under House arrest at different Northern locations.

• Mary’s arrival triggered rebellions.

Tensions with Spain

Religious differences: Spain-Catholic and funded and supported rebellions and plots against England.Rebellion in the Netherlands: Spain ruled the Netherlands where Britain relied heavily on the cloth trade based at Antwerp. When Spain was trying to crush a Protestant rebellion, this affected English Trade and England supported the Dutch Protestants against the Spanish.

Privateers, plots and persecution: English Privateers (or pirates as they were called by the Spanish!) attacked and raided Spanish ships.

Philip began planning an invasion of England.

The Spanish Armada

• Plan for invasion-fleet of ships built. Plan to sail up the English Channel and meet up with the Spanish Army in the Netherlands.

• Philip had huge army and fleet of ships-Elizabeth weaker in comparison. Private ship owners were ordered to prepare their ships for war.

• Armada ran into trouble straight away- spotted by English and met to battle in English Channel.

• Ships destroyed by fireships.• Made their way round Scotland and Ireland and ran into storms. • Aftermath of Spain’s defeat-Anglo-Spanish wars and conflicts continued to

drag on after this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-7GoyusdtQ

Hardwick Hall

Hardwick Hall is part of the Elizabethan section of the exam on Paper 2. It is worth 16 marks. The question wants you to bring in you knowledge of the hall but also the majority of your knowledgeof Elizabethan England. You will need to be able to relate parts of Elizabethan life, such as the rise of the gentry and architecture to the Hall.

Starter

What can we remember about Bess and the creation of the Hardwick Estate? How did the daughter of a farmer, from a humble

background, go on to become the second wealthiest woman in England?

16 Mark Historical Environment Question

On the exam, the question on Hardwick Hall is worth 16 marks.

It requires you to bring in your knowledge of the Elizabethan Period as well as knowledge of the Hall. It will ask you about one factor within the question, but it wants you to also bring in two other

factors to discus before concluding.

Factors you could be asked about: Rise of the Gentry, Prosperity of owners, Architecture, Fashion and style, support for Elizabeth I.

Paper 2 Section B: – ‘Historic Environment’ questions

Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.Slide 21

Greater Prosperity of

Owners

Change in

Fashions

Conclusion –‘Main

Change’

Rise of Gentry

‘The main change that Elizabethan manor houses demonstrated was the greater prosperity of their owners.’How far does a study of Hardwick Hall support this statement?

Explain your answer.You should refer to Hardwick Hall and your contextual knowledge.

How to structure the exam question

Introduction-Briefly state what you will writeMain Part- Three factors need to be explained. The one in the question and two others relating to Hardwick Hall. Must be supported with knowledgeConclusion-You must say how this was the ‘Main Change’ and how far this was the case. Support your conclusion with evidence.

‘The main change that Elizabethan manor houses demonstrated was the greater prosperity of their owners.’

How far does a study of Hardwick Hall support this statement? Explain your answer.

You should refer to Hardwick Hall and your contextual knowledge. (16 marks)

The long galleys were an opportunity for guests to have discussions and talk about the paintings, steering clear of political discussions. An opportunity to show off wealth.

Bedrooms were part of corridors that were walk through and beds would be surrounded by curtains for privacy. The Tapestry’s represented wealth as were very expensive, however Bess had many of hers bought Second Hand.

The mullioned windows represent a new architectural style as defensive features were no longer needed on properties due to stability with the Elizabethan government, so could be designed to look attractive. Glass was very expensive and Hardwick is ‘more glass than wall’, a reflection of Bess’ keeping up with trends and also displaying wealth. She made the glass on her estate which showed her financial astuteness and rise of the gentry class who became self made.

The Hall was designed by Robert Smythson to reflect the new architectural style which was influenced by the European Renaissance.

The house was designed in proportion. Each of the three main floors featured a ceiling which was higher than the floor below, to reflect the importance of the occupants of that floor. This was like a physical representation of Elizabethan society and the ‘Great Chain of Being’. The servants lived and worked on the ground floor. The Loggia is where the pillars are and was a latest architectural style.

The letters ‘ES’ are displayed all around the house, showing that it belongs to Bess and is another display of the rise of her wealth and her status and power. These are carved using local stone, which again was mostly on Bess’ own estate. The family crest is displayed within the house which shows Bess is proud of her more humble origins. The Gentry were a rising social class that made their own money rather than through inheritance.

Bess received a portrait from Elizabeth I which showed her royal connections as well as her status to receive a gift from the queen. The Royal Coat of arms is also displayed throughout the house which shows Bess’ loyalty to Elizabeth. By the start of the 17th century, the Gentry and nobility had begun to copy royal styles within their own houses, showing greater wealth and also royal influence from Elizabeth. Hardwick was designed to host a Progress, but Elizabeth never visited as it was to far north and she was towards the end of her life when it was all completed.

Hardwick Hall stone staircase is an unusual design for the time, but used local stone which showed Bess’ financial astuteness. It was also designed to be plain to then lead onto the grand rooms, which would impress the guests more when they reached them.

The Hardwick Estates were fairly self sufficient which shows Bess’ wealth and the rise of the gentry. Trade and exploration was making Britain wealthier.

Bess’ servants did not live ‘below the stairs’ but within calling distance of their master or mistress. They slept in straw mattresses on landings in the kitchen. The servants would prepare great banquets for Bess’ guests.

Overall the Hall shows: • New Fashion, style and royal influence.• Bess’ loyalty to the Queen. • Rise of the Gentry.• Greater Prosperity of the owners.• New architectural style. • Security of Elizabeth’s government-no need for defence

features. • The ‘Great Chain of Being’ and social hierarchy is represented in

the house.