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History: Elizabethan England, Queen Elizabeth 1, reigned 1558-1603, 16…

- - - - Lord Lieutenants:
        
        Appointed by the queen
        
        Responsible for running a particular area of the country
        
        Responsible for raising a militia to fight for the queen if needed
        
        Many also served on the Privy Council
      - Justices of the Peace:
        
        Several in every county
        
        Responsible for maintaining order and enforcing the law
      - Parliament:
        
        Made up of the House of Lords and the House of Commons
        
        Had influence over tax and was responsible for passing law
        
        The queen could choose when call Parliament and was free to ignore their advice
      - Privy Council:
        
        Responsible for the day-to-day running of the country, dealing with all policy areas
        
        Although the queen could technically appoint whoever she wished, in reality she had to appoint the most powerful landowners in the country, in order to prevent rebellion
        
        If the council was united, it was almost impossible for Elizabeth to go against their wishes. However, unity was very rare in a group filled with ambitious rivals
        
        Led by the Secretary of State
        
        William Cecil and Francis Walsingham were two significant and powerful figures who each served as Secretary of State. Both had a huge influence on Elizabeth. Two other important members were Robert Dudley and Christopher Hatton
    - - The royal Court was made up of officials, servants and advisors that surrounded Elizabeth. The court was the centre of power but also the source of the latest trends and fashions. The Court included the Privy Council
  - - - Ireland:
        
        Like her predecessors, Elizabeth considered herself to be Queen of Ireland. In 1559, she faces a major revolt in Ireland - the first of several during her reign.
      - Mary, Queen of Scots:
        
        She was a serious threat to Elizabeth as she was next in line to the throne
      - Religion:
        
        Religion had changed several times during the Tudor period
        
        This caused tensions with religion and instability
      - Foreign Policy:
        
        Catholic countries like Spain and France wanted to influence England and so the threat of invasion was very real
        
        The Netherlands were Protestant and also in conflict with Spain so Elizabeth needed to decide whether to get involved.
      - Succession:
        
        In 1562, Elizabeth nearly died of smallpox which drew attention to the uncertainty of the heir of England which could cause conflicts
        
        As a result, senior figures were keen that she marry as soon as possible and produce an heir
      - Taxation:
        
        The country was short of money and Elizabeth needed to raise taxes
        
        Poverty was widespread and raising taxes would be very unpopular
    - - In Favour:
        
        Create an alliance with a foreign country or guarantee the loyalty of a powerful English family
        
        Produce an heir to continue the Tudor line and stop Mary, Queen of Scots from becoming queen when Elizabeth died
        
        Against:
        
        Loss of authority
        
        Giving birth was very risky for the mother
        
        Her experience of marriage had been bad because of her father
        
        Could use the possibility of marriage to her advantage when dealing with foreign leaders and important figures in England
      - Francis, Duke of Anjou and Alencon:
        
        The French King's brother and heir to his throne
        
        By the time a marriage was proposed, Elizabeth was 46 and probably beyond having children and so England could fall under French Control
        
        He was Catholic and many didn't approve the marriage
      - King Phillip II of Spain:
        
        He was Catholic
        
        One of the wealthiest and most powerful men in the world
        
        Had been married to Elizabeth's sister but had rarely visited England
      - Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester:
        
        A childhood friend and many already assumed they were in love
        
        A key figure in the Royal Court and a member of the Privy Council
        
        When his wife died he became free to marry Elizabeth but there was a scandal about her death
    - - What was Parliament?
        
        Consisted of Lords, Bishops and other nobles who sat in the House of Lords and 'commoners' who sat in the House of Commons.
        
        Its role was to discuss issues and advise the queen and was responsible for passing laws and setting taxes.
        
        Although the queen could decide when to call Parliament she still had to deal with them carefully.
        
        Elizabeth only called Parliament 13 times, 11 of which were to raise taxes
      - Marriage and Succession:
        
        In 1566 they began to discuss the issue openly which made Elizabeth and banned them from talking about it again
        
        Freedom of Speech:
        
        An MP named Peter Wentworth was arrested three times during Elizabeths reign for saying Parliament should be allowed to discuss what they want
        
        Mary, Queen of Scots:
        
        Many called for Mary's execution and this pressure as well as the Privy Council may have swayed the hesitant Elizabeth into executing her cousin
        
        Monopolies:
        
        Monopolies were an important way for Elizabeth to maintain the loyalty of powerful men in England as she used them to reward people for their work - patronage
        
        Crime and Poverty:
        
        The issue of poverty was a serious problem especially when it led to crime. This was solved by introducing poor laws which was passed in 1601
        
        Religion:
        
        Religion caused many tensions between Catholics and Protestants which Parliament discussed which Elizabeth needed to face
    - - Causes of the Rebellion:
        
        He became involved in an argument with the queen during a privy council meeting and nearly drew his sword but was stopped and placed under house arrest.
        
        He was later sent to deal with a rebellion in Ireland and failed to defeat them and decided to truce instead against the queen orders
        
        Once returned, Essex rushed into the queens chambers and caught her without a wig. He was made to stay on knees for a day as punishment
        
        She refused to renew his sweet win monopoly and as a result he lost wealth and decided to plot a rebellion
      - Background:
        
        Essex had been a loyal subject throughout Elizabeth's reign and became a privy councillor in 1595 and was awarded the monopoly on sweet wine in England
        
        He had a rivalry with Robert Cecil who was an influential figure however he pleased the queen when he successfully attacked the Spanish port of Casiz
        
        Son of Robert Dudley and had a rivalry with Robert Cecil
      - The Rebellion:
        
        In February 1601, Essex took four privy councillors hostage and marched to London with 200 supporters.
        Robert Cecil labelled him a traitor and many supporters left whilst others panicked and released the hostages.
        
        Essex and his remaining followers were arrested
      - Consequences:
        
        Essex was put on trial for treason and sentenced to death which took place on 25 February 1601 in private.
        
        Some of his supporters were also put to death but most were only fined
  - - - Art:
        
        Portraits - including detailed miniature ones - became very popular and often contained symbolism
        
        Decorative silverware and textiles became important signs of wealth and culture in the homes of the rich
      - Exploration:
        
        Europeans discovered new lands and new peoples
        
        England became a major power in the world
      - Theatre:
        
        Theatre became popular with all levels of society
        
        The first permanent theatres were built
      - Buildings:
        
        Many great stately homes, such as Hardwick Hall, were built during this period
        
        For the first time, houses were not built with defence in mind
      - Literature:
        
        Many great plays were written during Elizabeth reign and are still performed today
        
        Poetry was very popular. Many nobles wrote poetry and some, such as Shakespeare, wrote sonnets
      - Education:
        
        Seen as increasingly important
        
        Wealthy boys and some girls received an education, but the poor didn't
      - Science and technology:
        
        Significant breakthroughs in navigation, astronomy and a growing understanding of magnetism
        
        Improved printing presses allowed new ideas to spread quickly
      - Peace, Power and Pride:
        
        Before the Tudors, there was conflict over the throne. The reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI and Mary I brought political instability but religious turmoil. Elizabeth brought stability and security to the country
        
        England's growing wealth and military success made many of Elizabeth's subjects very proud
- - - - Elizabeth's cousin. her grandmother was Henry VIII's sister
        
        A Catholic
        
        Became Queen of Scotland in 1542, at only eight-days-old
        
        Married the heir to the French throne in 1558 and was briefly queen of two countries
        
        As Elizabeth had no children, Mary was also heir to the throne of England, some believed she was in fact the rightful queen
        
        After her husband's death, she returned to Scotland but became increasingly unpopular. Scotland had become increasingly Protestant in her absence
        
        In 1567, having been accused of the murder of her second husband, Lord Darnley, Mary fled to England. Her young son, James, was crowned King of Scotland in her place
    - - Mary's arrival in England concerned many Protestants. They were worried that she might directly lead, or simply inspire, a rebellion against Elizabeth. The idea that she could ever become queen reminded them of the horror of Mary I'd reign. Parliament and a number of privy councillors called for Mary's execution, but Elizabeth was hesitant. She did not want to kill a fellow queen. Mary was kept under close guard and moved around England for the next 19 years. Although she was not directly involved in plots against Elizabeth, she was certainly an inspiration for several. One final plot in 1586 did seem to involve Mary directly.
    - - The plotter: In 1586, a rich young Catholic names Anthony Babington planned to kill Elizabeth, rescue Mary and place her on the throne.
        The plot: Babington needed to know if Mary supported his plan. He managed to get Mary's servants to hide coded messages within her beer barrels that were sent to her room. The messages reached Mary and she replied, giving her backing to the plot
        The plot uncovered: Unfortunately for Mary, the servants were spied for Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth's spymaster. The original message and Mary's reply were decoded and taken straight to Elizabeth. It was clear that Mary was plotting to kill the queen
        The aftermath: With such clear evidence, Elizabeth had little choice but to act. Although still hesitant, she order that Mary should go on trial for treason
    - - The trial:
        
        In October 1586, Mary was out on trial before a court of 36 noblemen including Sir Francis Walsingham and Sir William Cecil, two of Elizabeth's closest advisors
        
        Mary defended herself strongly. She criticised the fact that she had not been allowed to see evidence against her and claimed that she she was not English, she could not be guilty of treason. She refused to accept that the court had any right to pass sentence on her
        
        She was found guilty and sentenced to death on 25 October
      - The execution:
        
        Elizabeth was reluctant to sign Mary's death warrant. She feared the executing a fellow monarch might inspire her enemies, or that Mary's son James might want revenge
        
        She was also concerned about the reaction of the Catholic powers: France and Spain
        
        Despite this, she signed the death warrant on 1 February 1587
        Mary was executed, in private, seven days later at Fotheringhay Castle. The Earls of Shrewsbury and Kent were the official witnesses
      - The impact:
        
        Without Mary, Catholics had no clear alternative monarch. The new heir to the English throne was Mary's son James - a Protestant
        
        Even in death, Mary remained an important figure. Many saw her as a martyr to her faith and her execution as proof that Elizabeth was a wicked heretic
        
        Elizabeth's concern about the reaction abroad was unwarranted - there was outrage but no action from France or Spain. King James of Scotland accepted Elizabeth's apology for the death of his mother
  - - - The issue of marriage:
        
        King Philip II of Spain had been married to Elizabeth sister, Mary I. During this time, he had been joint monarch of England. The plan was that their child would unite England and Spain under one Catholic King or Queen. When Mary died childless in November 1558, so did the plan
        
        Philip proposed to Elizabeth in 1559, but, as with many of suitors, she kept him waiting for an answer. As it became clear that the marriage would not take place, tensions between the countries grew
      - Religious difference:
        
        Elizabeth had returned England to the Protestant faith after the Catholic years of Mary I. Spain had remained Catholic throughout all the religious changes of the Reformation. Such opposing religious ideas led to conflict
      - The papal bull:
        
        In 1570, the Pope excommunicated Elizabeth and called for all Catholics to challenge her rule. As a Catholic, Philip was keen to follow the Pope's instructions
      - The actions of sailors:
        
        Sir Francis Drake and other English sailors had spent years raiding Spanish ports and ships, and stealing treasures from Spanish colonies in South America and closer to home. The most notable example was in 1587 when Drake led a raid on the port of Cadiz. He destroyed dozens of Spanish ships in what become known as 'singeing the King of Spain's beard'
        
        Elizabeth encourages these acts by granting licenses in exchange for sharing the treasures with the country
      - The Netherlands:
        
        As well as Spain, Philip also ruled the Netherlands, In 1566, there was a Protestant uprising in the country. Philip sent troops to restore order but this led to even greater resistance from the rebels
        
        Although she wanted to avoid war with Spain, Elizabeth agreed to send money to support the Protestants and allowed English volunteers to go and help in the fight. She also let rebel ships use English ports. All of this angered Philip greatly
        
        William of Orange, the Dutch rebel leader, was assassinated in 1584. In December 1585, Elizabeth finally agreed to send English troops to support her fellow Protestants. She sent her trusted friend Robert Dudley with 7000 soldiers. Dudley and his men had very little impact but it was a clear act of war against Spain
    - - The size of the fleet:
        
        Henry VIII had spent a fortune building a huge navy to protect his island nation. Before 1500, ships had simply been a way to get to battle, but Tudor ships were designed to fight. During Elizabeth's reign, under the command of John Hawkins, England's navy continued to grow. At the same time, Philip of Spain spared no expense in trying to make his many the largest and most powerful in the world
      - Tactics:
        
        When full scale battles were fought, a tactic called the line of battle was sometimes used. Ships formed into a single line and fired together on the enemy. The aim was to sink as many as possible
        
        Raids were a common form of attack. They took enemy ports by surprise and destroyed as many ships as possible before the enemy had the chance to fight back. This kinds of attack also allowed for treasure to be stolen
        
        Fireships were an effective tactic used in the sixteenth century. An old ship would be set alight and sent into the middle of the enemy fleet. This would send panic across the wooden ships and cause great damage at little risk to the attacker
      - Technology:
        
        A new type of triangular sail. known as a lateen, allowed for much faster travel and new ships allowed for greater speed and manoeuvrability. Ships could therefore travel greater distances and perform better in raids and battles
        
        New, more powerful cannons meant it was now possible to fire at enemy ships from a distance. Previously, sailors would try to board enemy ships. Ships are built specifically for battle and for use in the line of battle tactic
        
        New inventions like the astrolabe allowed for greater accuracy when planning voyages and working out locations. This helped sailors prepare much better for long voyages, particularly if they had to pass through hostile waters
    - - The Spanish Armada
        
        The Plan:
        
        In 1558, Philip II of Spain launched his great Armada: 151 ships, 7000 sailors and 34,000 soldiers would sail to the Netherlands and collect men before invading England
        
        They would sail in an unbreakable crescent formation
        
        Philip was so confident that he would defeat the English Navy that he filled the ships with weapons for land battles that would follow once the fleet arrived in England
        
        The English Strike First:
        
        By 6 August the Armada was anchored off the Dutch coast
        
        They were delayed for several days waiting for additional soldiers to arrive
        
        At this moment the English, commanded by Sir Francis Drake, chose to strike. Early on 7 Sugust, eight fireships were sent into the Spanish fleet. There was mass panic and the well-organised Armada was plunged into chaos
        
        The Battle:
        
        On 8 August the Battle of Gravelines began
        
        The English fired constantly from a distance of 100 metres. The Spanish ships were badly damaged but none were sunk
        
        Recognising how bad the situation was, the Spanish Commander, the Duke of Medina-Sidonia, tired to lead his battered ships home. The English gave chase
        
        The Storm:
        
        A great storm blew the retreating Armada way off course
        
        Their food rotten, their water polluted and with no maps for the waters around Northern Britain, many ships were wrecked. Survivors who made it to shore were slaughtered by the Scots or the Irish
        
        Of 151 ships, only 65 returned to Spain
      - How was the Armada Defeated
        
        English tactics:
        
        The fireships broke the formation of the fleet and made individual ships vulnerable to attack
        
        The bombardment by the English cannons made regrouping impossible
        
        The English had faster ships and more experienced commanders
        
        The Weather:
        
        Storms caused great destruction to the Spanish fleet
        
        The storms delayed their return to Spain, meaning that their food and water went off or ran out. Many sailors became too sick to sail
        
        Spanish mistakes:
        
        Spanish ships were designed for the Mediterranean and could not cope with the harsh conditions of the English Channel and the North Sea
        
        They were delayed in the Netherlands because the soldiers were not ready to board
        
        Their weapons were mostly for land use, leaving them almost defenceless at sea. They had also brought many of the wrong cannonballs
        
        The commander of the fleet was inexperienced
      - Consequences
        
        The Armada's defeat had been a great victory for Elizabeth. It proved that England was a major naval power. The country could not rest, however. Invasion remained a concern and Philip quickly began planning a second attempt, but he never actually tried again. Elizabeth continued to strengthen her navy. The Armada had brought England together. Under the threat of foreign invasion, most Catholics declared their total loyalty to Elizabeth. It made Elizabeth even more popular and respected as a leader, and helped boost the idea of the 'Golden Age'
- - - - Flu outbreak:
        
        A terrible outbreak of flu in 1556 killed 200,000 people, included many farm workers
      - Population increase:
        
        During Elizabeth's reign, England's population went from 2.8 million to 4 million
        
        A shortage of places to live gave power to landlords who increased rents (rack renting)
      - Changes in agriculture:
        
        Bad harvests between 1594 and 1598 led to food shortages and starvation in parts of England. The food shortage also increased prices - which led to inflation
        
        Increasing numbers of landlords began to keep sheep on their land rather than grow crops. This system, known as enclosure, meant that fewer workers were needed
        
        Many unemployed farm workers headed to towns and cities in search of employment. There were not enough jobs to go around
      - Actions of previous monarchs:
        
        Henry VII limited the right of nobles to hold private armies, fearing they might be a threat to his throne. This left many soldiers without work
        
        The Reformation under VIII led to the closure of the monasteries. Monks, nuns and other Church employees are left with nowhere to live or work.
        
        The closure of the monasteries also left the sick and poor with no one to care for them
        
        Economic problems under Henry VIII and Edward VI led to the collapse of the cloth trade and the loss of many jobs
    - - The Deserving Poor:
        
        The 'Great Chain of Being' made it clear to many nobles that they were simply better than the poor.
        
        Many believed it was their duty to help those below them in society
        
        They recognised that many paupers could not help their situation and were not to blame for their poverty
        
        Charities for the poor grew and almshouses were established
      - The Undeserving Poor:
        
        Some paupers were seen as undeserving: untrustworthy beggars who had no interest in honest work
        
        Warning Against Vagabonds by Thomas Harman, punlished in 1567, encouraged the view that many poor people were merely confidence tricksters or criminals. Others were seen as being idle or lazy
      - Vagabonds:
        
        The Counterfeit Crank bit soap so that he frothed at the mouth. People would feel sympathy and give him money
        
        Baretop Trickster women would trick men into following them by removing clothing. The men would then be beaten and robbed by her accomplices
        
        The Clapper Dudgeon would cut himself and tie dirty bandages around the wounds to gain sympathy
        
        Tom O'Bedlam would pretend to be mad. He might stick a chickens head in his ear or bark like a dog
    - - The Poor Law 1601
        
        It stated that:
        
        The wealthy should be taxed to pay for the care of the sick and vulnerable
        
        Fit and healthy paupers should be given work
        
        Those who refused to work were still dealt with harshly they could be whipped or placed in a House of Correction
        
        The poor were categorised into three groups:
        
        The helpless poor (the sick and old): given food and accommodation
        
        The able-bodied poor (those considered fit): had to work in exchange for food
        
        The idle poor: punished and sent to a House of Corrrection
        
        Effective?
        
        Although the law did make a difference to some it wasn't properly enforced in many areas. Levels of begging decreased
        
        People were sent from one area to another rather than receiving any actual help
      - Earlier attempts to deal with poverty
        
        From 1495: Beggars were punished in the stocks or sent back to their home towns
        
        From 1531: Beggars were publicly whipped, those caught a second time would have a hole burned in their ear, a third offence would mean they were hanged
        
        The 1576 'Act for setting the poor on work' placed the responsibility on the local authorities:
        
        London: Hospitals were built to house the mentally ill, sick and for orphans, Bridewell Palace used as a shelter
        
        York: In 1515, issued beggar licences. From 1528, a Master Beggar was appointed to keep the others in order. If beggars refused to work they were sent to the House of Correcton
        
        Ipswich: Introduced begging licenses from 1569, Opened a hospital to help the old and sick and introduced a youth training scheme to learn trade
        
        Norwich: Seperated population into 'idle poor and unfortunate poor'. The idle poor were given work e.g. sewing and the unfortunate poor were given food. Rich citizens were taxes to pay for this
  - - - Territory: England was not the first country to build colonies in newly discovered lands, and there were several failed attempts. But perseverance led to increasing number of colonies, particularly in Noth America, being established in the name of Queen Elizabeth and her successors
      - Power:
        
        Naval power had been growing under Elizabeth and was able to hold its own in any sea battle
        
        Improved weapons and tactics, and the skilled command of men like Francis Drake, played a key role
        
        The English victory over the Spanish Armada showed the dominant position that England held
      - John Hawkins and the slave trade:
        
        John Hawkins was a respected sailor and courtier
        
        In 1564, he kidnapped several hundred West Africans and sold them in South America. This was not the first example of the European space trade, but it was the first time the whole process has been carried out by an Englishman
        
        He also also a successful privateer and is thought to have brought tobacco to England
      - Wealth:
        
        Raiding Spanish ships and ports allowed riches to be stolen and brought back to England
        
        Trading systems were established from which Englands wealth grew over the following centuries and new products, like spices, silks and porcelain, were brought to England for the first time
        
        The trade in African slaves brought significant wealth to individuals and to England as a whole. Other Englishmen saw how Hawkins had profited and so became involved in the slave trade over the following years. Slave about enabled raw materials to be produced cheaply in the Americas
  - - - Catholic:
        
        The Pope is the head of the Church
        
        Bible and church services in Latin
        
        Priests should not marry
        
        Highly decorated churches
        
        Bread and wine transform into body and blood of Jesus
        
        Priests are ordinary peoples links with God
      - Protestant:
        
        The monarch is the head of the Church
        
        Bible and church services in English
        
        Priests can marry
        
        Plain chruches
        
        Bread and wine represent the body and bloos
        
        Ordinary people connect to God through prayer
      - Both:
        
        God created the world
        
        Jesus was God's son
        
        Those who challenge the true faith must be punished
    - - The Northern Rebellion 1569:
        Inspired by Elizabeths refusal to allow the Duke of Norfolk to marry her Catholic cousin Mary, Queen of Scots, two northern nobles led a rebellion against Elizabeth. The Earl of Westmorland and the Earl of Northumberland took control of Durham Cathedral and held an illegal Catholic mass. They marched south with 4600 men but the rebels disbanded when the loyal Earl of Sussex raised an army against them. Northumberland was executed, Westmorland escaped to France and the Duke of Norfolk was imprisoned
      - The Papal Bull 1570:
        On 27 April 1570, Pope Pius V issued a special message in which he stated that Elizabeth was not the true queen and called on the people of England not to obey her laws. The bull also excommunicated her from the Church. The Pope's aim was to stir up rebellion by forcing English Catholics to choose between their queen or their religion
      - The Ridolfi Plot 1571:
        The plot was led by an Italian names Rudolf, but also involved the Duke of Norfolk and a second northern rebellion. This time, the uprising would coincide with an invasion of foreign Catholics from the Netherlands and the murder of Queen Elizabeth. Her Catholic cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots, was to be placed on the throne and would marry the Duke of Norfolk. The plot was discoveded before it could be carried out
      - The Throckmortin plot 1583:
        
        Led by Sir Francis Throckmorton
        
        The plan was to assissinate Elizabeth and replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots
        
        There would then be an uprising of English Catholics and a French invasion. The Spanish ambassador was also involved
        
        When the plot failed, Throckmorton was executed
      - The Babington Plot 1586:
        
        Led by Anthony Babington
        
        The plan was to murder Elizabeth and replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots
        
        The plot's discovery led to the trial and execution of Mary
    - - The Counter-Reformation
        
        The counter-reformation was the attempt by the Catholic Church to bring many Protestants back to the old faith. In 1568, William Allen established a seminary at Douai in the Netherlands to train Catholic priests. Allen aimed to send these priests to England as missionaries. He had the full backing of the Pope.
        Who were the Jesuits?
        The society of Jesus was created in 1540 and it began to send missionaries to England from 1580. Its purpose was to convert the Protestant population to Catholicism. Elizabeth saw the Jesuits as a threat
        Who were the key Jesuits in England?
        Edmund Campion and Robert Parsons arrived in England on 24 June 1580 as missionaries. Campion travelled the country spreading his message, whereas Parsons kept a lower profile. Campion became a wanted man because the authorities were convinced he wanted to start a rebellion
        Were they really a threat?
        Jesuits like Campion claimed not to want rebellion but just to spread their religious message. Elizabeth had many others, however, saw them as a genuine threat to the stability of England, even if they were not directly involved in any plots against her
      - How Serious was the Catholic Threat
        
        The Pope had made it very clear with his papal bull that he wanted Elizabeth's tule to end. He said it was the duty of Catholics to challenge her rule
        
        European Catholic rulers, like Philip II of Spain, were encouraged by the Pope to challenge her authority
        
        English Catholics were encouraged by the papal bull to rebel
        
        Jesuits and other missionaries were another serious threat as they could undermine the stability of her religious settlement
      - Elizabeth's Response
        
        A change in policy
        
        1571: Recusancy fines for Catholics who did not take part in Protestant services. They could be fined or have property taken away. However, the rich could afford to pay and Elizabeth did not enforce the law too harshly; when Parliament tried to increase the fines, she resisted. It became illegal to own any Catholic items such as rosary beads
        1581: Recusancy fines were increased to £20 - more than most could afford; this law was strictly enforced. It became high treason to convert to Catholicism
        1585: Any Catholic priest who had been ordained (made a priest) after 1559 was considered a traitor and he, and anyone protecting him faced death. It became legal to kill anyone who attempted to assassinate the queen
        1593: The statue of confinement - Catholics could not travel more than five miles from home without permission from the authorities
        
        Dealing with the Jesuit threat:
        
        Campion: By July 1580, Edmund Campion had spent a month travelling around England making speeches and encouraging people to convert to Catholicism. Elizabeth saw him as a threat to order and therefore to her. He was arrested and, despite maintaining that he has no plans to overthrow the queen, was brutally tortured and dragged through London before being hanged, drawn and quartered. It was clear that Elizabeth was not going to take any threat lightly.
        
        Priests: The 1585 Act Against Jesuits and Seminary priests called for them to be driven out of England. Mary were executed
        
        Why did Elizabeth's religious policy change
        
        The threat from abroad:
        Both Spain and France were powerful Catholic countries and invasion was a real concern for Elizabeth. The Spanish Armada of 1588 showed the fear was justified. There threat declined towards the end of her reign, following the Armada's defeat
        Powerful Catholics:
        Several powerful Catholic families lived in the north of England. They had mostly remained. loyal, but there was growing concern that they might obey the Pope's command and rebel
        Jesuit missionaries:
        The popularity of people like Campion undermined Elizabeth's authority. She could not allow them to spread their message
        The Rudolf, Throckmorton and Babington Plots:
        Although these plots failed, they showed that Elizabeth had enemies who wanted to overthrow her and restore the Catholic Church
    - - Who were the Puritans?
        
        Strict Protestants who were influenced by extreme Protestants in Europe, like John Calvin
        
        In some cases, they lived in exile in Europe during the reign of Elizabeth's Catholic sister, Mary
        
        They were keen to remove all Catholic elements from the English Church
        
        Some Puritans were appointed as bishops by Elizabeth, though some argued over their robes. By 1568, most of them had agreed to wear the white gown or surplice required by the Church of England during services
      - Hard-Line Puritans:
        
        Known as Presbyterians, they questioned Elizabeth's religious settlement and the need for bishops
        
        In the 1570s, they held popular meetings, called prophesyings, to discuss the Bible. There was often criticism of the queen and her religious policies at these meetings, too
        
        Edmund Grindal, the Archbishop of Canterbury, encourages prophesying, despite these criticisms
        
        Elizabeth suspended Grindal as Archbishop
        In 1580, John Field, a prominent and very strict Puritan, was banned from preaching
        
        The leaders of a new separatist church founded in London in 1593, Henry Barrow and John Greenwood, were hanged
      - Powerful Puritans:
        
        Sir Francis Walsingham
        
        Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester
        
        Peter Wentworth and Anthony Cope
      - Elizabeth's response:
        
        When Grindal died in 1583, Elizabeth replaced him as Archbishop with John Whitgift, who took a tough stance against Puritans
        
        New rules introduced by Whitgift banning unlicensed preaching and forcing church attendance with recusancy fines
        
        A new High Commission with the power to fine and imprison Puritans who refused to follow the rules
        
        The dismissal or imprisonment of hundreds of clergymen
        
        The punishment of printers for spreading the Puritan message
        
        A crackdown on high profile Puritans, like Anthony Cope, who was imprisoned in the Tower of London
      - Why did the influence of Puritanism decline after 1590?
        
        The Church of England had brought stability to religion and people were unwilling to risk losing it
        
        The death of powerful Puritans removed its influence in the royal court
        
        Whitgift's crackdown broke the organisation of Puritanism
        
        The death of John Field in 1588 - this important leader had inspired many and been highly critical of the Church of England
    - - Religion: For example, the Northern Rebellion and the Babington Plot. These were usually based on the belief that Elizabeth had no right to be queen, and had the aim of replacing her with Mary, Queen of Scots
        Power and Influence: For example, the Essex Rebellion. This was the result of rivalries within the Privy Council and the battle for influence over the queen
    - - Spies:
        
        Elizabeth's huge network of spies was able to quickly identify threats and deal with troublemakers
        
        Sir Francis Walsingham, one of the queen's most trusted advisors, was also her spymaster
      - A skilled politician:
        
        Elizabeth was good at getting her own way
        
        She dealt with Parliament with great skill, allowing MPs and lords to feel that they had influence while still showing who had the final say
      - Religious settlement:
        
        Elizabeth's religious policy kept the majority happy
        
        Although there were crackdowns on Catholics and Puritans later in her reign, religious differences were mostly tolerated
      - Punishment:
        
        Elizabeth rarely showed mercy to those who betrayed her
        
        Rebels were tortured and brutally executed
        
        Elizabeth even executed her own cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots, and her former favourite, the Earl of Essex
        
        For potential rebels, the consequences were clear to see
      - Unconvincing alternatives:
        
        Most people, even catholics, preferred the idea of an English queen to a foreign ruler like Mary, Queen of Scots, or Phillip II of Spain
        
        Mary was not generally trusted, having been widely blamed for her husband's death, and Philip, who had been crowned King of England after marrying Elizabeth's sister, Mary, had shown little interest in the country. His wife had sent hundreds of Protestants to be burnt at the stake.
        
        The lake of a popular alternative monarch meant that most rebellions could not gain wide support