Early Elizabethan England 1558-1588

Key Topics Queen, Government and Religion 2. Challenges to Elizabeth: at home and abroad 3. Elizabeth Society in the Age of Exploration

MLO: How was Elizabethan Society organised? GOOD GREAT FAB

Elizabethan Society Landless/ Labouring Poor Yeoman Tenant farmers Landless/ Labouring Poor Vagrants/Homeless Nobility Merchants Business owners Skilled craftsmen's and apprentices Unskilled works and the unemployed Gentry Professionals Eg. lawyers, doctors, clergy

Key Terms Nobility and Gentry – Held huge amounts of wealth and land, strived to be in monarchs favour Yeomen – Rich peasants who often held a small amount of land – strived to be in the gentry Tenant Farmers – Rented land, often of the gentry or Yeomen

Bullet Point: What are the positives and negatives of this system? Yeoman Tenant farmers Landless/ Labouring Poor Vagrants/Homeless Nobility Around 90% of the population lived in the countryside under this social structure Gentry Bullet Point: What are the positives and negatives of this system? Challenge – Try see it from different perspectives. Who will benefit from this system?

Elizabethan Government What Key Features Role Court (Courtiers) Nobility who lived and worked next to the Monarch Had to obtain the Monarchs permission to attend court Closest advisors to the Monarch Demonstrate wealth and authority Had influence, rather than actual power Privy Council Leading Courtiers made up this smaller council. Approx. 19 members, including the most senior advisors such as Sir William Cecil Met three times a week and meetings were attended by the Monarch Debate current issues and advise Monitored JP’s and Parliament Oversaw the laws of the land and monarchs decisions Parliament Made up of the House of Lords (incl. Bishops) and the House of Commons. Elected by only the richest. Could only be called and dismissed by the Monarch – met 10 times during Elizabeth's reign To raise tax Pass laws Advice to the monarch Lords Lieutenant Each country had a Lord Lieutenant chosen by the Monarch. Often members of the Privy Council. Ensured law and order was kept in countries In charge of raising militia and overseeing county defences Justices of the Peace (JPs) JP’s were large landowners who kept law and order. Unpaid and reported to the Privy Council. Popular job due to its status and power Ensure policies are carried out Enforce law – heard court cases every 3 months for most serious crimes.

Examine the table on Elizabethan Government Highlight the strengths and weakness of each role Rate the organisations 1-5 – who had the most power and influence over the monarch. Justify your top rating (1) and weakest (5) rating Challenge – Imagine you are writing an advertisement in the local newspapers job section – try and within 50 words explain the roles of the job and why someone should apply

The Monarchs Power and Roles Declare war and make peace Royal Perogative – some issues could only be ruled on by the Monarch such as marriage, the succession and foreign policy Appoint advisors, grant titles and lands– this was known as Patronage (a very effective way of maintaining loyalty, if she could give, she could also take away Call or dismiss parliament and reject any laws they voted upon God - Believed they had a right to rule ‘by the grace of God’. This became known as the Divine Right War Rule Appoint Parliament WRAP GOD

Return to your previous table Examine Elizabeth’s Powers compared to the Powers of the other institution Can you explain how Elizabeth holds power over each of the other groups? Courtiers Monarchs Only allowed to attend court through the Monarchs Patronage

MLO: What was problems for Elizabeth’s after her accession? GOOD GREAT FAB

What makes a successful and powerful Monarch? Challenge: What is the most important attribute to possess as a leader?

What issues will Elizabeth face after becoming Queen? Elizabeth was the daughter of Anne Boleyn – who had been executed for treason. Elizabeth was a firm protestant - the country had been returned to Catholicism under Mary I Elizabeth was also a women – only the 2nd to rule England and Mary I’s rule had hardly been successful. She was also single, and determined not to marry. What issues will Elizabeth face after becoming Queen?

Issues Why would this cause problems for Elizabeth What could Elizabeth do to resolve these issues? What did Elizabeth do in reality? Gender/Marriage Leave this section for now Legitimacy Attack Money G L A M Using the information – fill in information about the issues for Elizabeth. Come up with your own ideas about what Elizabeth could do to resolve these issues Challenge – What issue poses the greatest problem for Elizabeth?

How well did Elizabeth solves these issues? Examine the last section of each problem. Note down how Elizabeth solves each issue Rate her solutions 1-4 in terms of how successful she was Challenge – Justify which issue Elizabeth dealt with the most successfully

Gender Legitimacy Attributes Money War Can you link the different factors together? Try and establish 1 link for each issue. Challenge – Improve the issue you stated was the biggest problem by explaining and adding links

Challenge – Write an ALTERNATIVE interpretation supporting Elizabeth Homework Imagine you are plotting to overthrow the Queen. In order to do this – you must create PROPANGDA about her weaknesses. This could be in the form of a speech (Minimum 1 Page) a Poster, or a letter to a member of the Privy Council requesting support for your act of treason. You must mention her key weaknesses and dismiss her strengths Challenge – Write an ALTERNATIVE interpretation supporting Elizabeth

The threat of invasion was Elizabeth’s main problem when she became queen in 1558.’ How far do you agree? Explain your answer. (16) You may use the following in your answer: • France • Elizabeth’s legitimacy You must also use information of your own.