One last thing to consider was the fact that Elizabeth was unmarried and childless. This was important because it demonstrated the strength of Catholic feeling within England and highlighted how Elizabeth, after 11 years, was still vulnerable to English Catholics. The Netherlands had been part of the Spanish empire since the 1550s. After his successful raid on Cadiz, Drake sailed along the coast of Portugal and Spain, seizing Spanish ships and destroying supplies that were being sent to Lisbon for the Armada. Tensions in the Netherlands increased greatly between 1576 and 1584. Many people did not want a foreigner influencing England policy. The Pope, as head of the Catholic Church, could rally support for these plots and for some Catholics, obeying the Pope was more important than obedience to Elizabeth. They were not able to do this because the English used their greater manoeuvrability to stay out of range while firing broadsides (massive barrages of cannonballs) that could sink the Spanish ships. However, Elizabeth was fearful that a foreign husband would have not put the needs of England first. The aim was to rid France of heresy (Protestantism). Protestants (notably John Knox) initially claimed female rule was unnatural or monstrous, while Roman Catholics judged . Continue with Recommended Cookies. The rest of the Spanish fleet was forced to sail away from the French coast and into the North Sea with the English fleet on their trail. This helps to explain why Elizabeth had to deal with so many plots, the intention of which was to replace Elizabeth with Mary. Despite the failure of 1585, another attempt to colonise Virginia took place. Crucially, when the Spanish ships docked in English ports, the gold was seized by Elizabeth. France however, thought her intention was to create war between France and Spain while England looked on. However, the Dutch had always governed themselves. Tel: +44 0844 800 0085. Native American hostility occurred from the start, however. She was the last monarch of the Tudor period. Elizabeth I is by many historians considered one of England's greatest ever monarchs, which heralded the 'golden age' in English history. Phillip was warned against this mission but believed he was on a mission from God. The plan was discovered and the Earls feared being executed for treason, so in a desperate attempt to escape punishment, they rebelled against Elizabeth and tried to overthrow her. (1583) was a threat to Queen Elizabeth. Write a paragraph or two. Elizabeth was actually popular which meant those conspiring to overthrow her lacked public support. 2) This war was not a success. Financial Weakness She was 300,000 in debt. Mary Queen of Scots was married to . An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Student / August 3rd - 4th: Spanish ships were outgunned and forced to move to Calais in France. The English ships moved in for the attack and the following battle lasted several hours with 5 Spanish ships having been sunk. Roman Catholics . Marys presence in England posed an on-going threat as she had a strong claim to the throne herself. The English navy attempted some minor raids but they were largely ineffective as only 2 Spanish ships were lost, and these were by accident. Nevertheless, the answer has sustained conceptual focus and is wide-ranging in its analysis. She replaced her Catholic half-sister Mary, who died childless. During the 1570s, England was starting to have ambitions of establishing an empire of its own and had hoped to become an imperial power that could rival Spain. Seeing Spain as a threat, Elizabeth tried to form an alliance with France. Throckmorton was tortured and although he confessed, was then killed. She raised an army following her escape from prison but was defeated at Langside (Glasgow). This aimed to ensure poor relief was collected. Sir Robert Naunton recorded that the queen once said angrily to Leicester, when he tried to insist upon a favour, "I will have here but one mistress and no master." This attack proved to be a major setback for Spanish preparation for the Armada. Good explanation and link back to the question here at the end of the paragraph.]. In 1580, she received treasure from Sir Francis Drake from his exploits which was worth more than all the rest of her income for that year put together. Many expected a decisive battle between Henry II and Philip II. He even came to England to meet Elizabeth and she even announced before some of her courtiers that she would marry him. Mary was forced to flee following her unsuccessful attempt to win back her Scottish throne. This risked provoking King Phillip further and to avoid this, Elizabeth forced Dudley to resign his position immediately. The core of her legitimacy problem centred around the circumstances of her birth by Anne Boleyn. [A range of examples and wide-ranging knowledge really help explore the extent of this problem facing Elizabeth.]. Henry himself gave people cause . The powerful countries in Europe at that time - France and Spain - were Catholic and the plots against Elizabeth often . Norfolk was also expected to marry Mary. The fear of a Catholic uprising and a plot against Elizabeth was a constant threat to her. Abroad, however, was another matter as Marys execution inflamed Catholic opposition and increased the threat of foreign invasion. Importantly too, Elizabeths fear of the Auld Alliance was heightened by the fact that the Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots, had declared herself the legitimate Queen of England (owing to the fact that she was Elizabeths second cousin and the granddaughter of Henry VIIIs sister Margaret) and she had the support of many English Catholics. Importantly though, the arrival of Mary Queen of Scots in England did more to embolden the threat of Catholicism. This peace treaty between England and France ended the war inherited by Elizabeth from her half-sister Mary I, who went to war alongside her Spanish husband Philip II in 1557. In the eyes of the Church of England, Henry and Catherine were divorced and then Henry could marry Anne. The plan was that 130 ships (equipped with 2431 guns) would sail along the Channel to the Netherlands, where they would pick up 27,000 troops, led by the Duke of Parma. The Spanish attempted to regroup at Gravelines, however, the weather made it impossible for them to reform their defensive crescent formation which opened up an opportunity for the English to intercept and attack. During Drakes raid, he captured more than 1000 tons of planks made from seasoned wood, which was needed to make the barrels used to carry food and water. The second concern of legitimacy again comes from the marriage of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. Died: 24 March 1603. Elizabeth faced many problems upon her accession to her throne in 1558 and, whilst the question of legitimacy was important, the immediate concerns of debt, as well as the threat from France and Scotland were of far greater significance as they instantly impacted upon her ability to rule. Elizabeth's legitimacy was one of many problems that Elizabeth faced when she became Queen in 1558. Learning of the Spanish plans to build an Armada and invade England, Drakes mission was to try and stop this. Francis Drake is knighted on the Golden Hind. The English had drastically improved their shipbuilding techniques which gave them several technological advantages. The relative strength of France and weakness of England was further compounded by the fact that Elizabeth had to recognize the loss of Calais to France under the Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis in 1559, following a disastrous English military campaign under the reign of Elizabeth's predecessor, Mary I. Calais had been in English hands since 1347. In 1595 Elizabeth had to deal with a rebellion in Ireland led by Tyrone and O'Donnell. However, she was fearful of the presence of Spain in the Netherlands, who were busy putting down the Dutch Revolt from 1566 under the command of the Duke of Alba. Another serious contender was Francis, Duke of Alencon, later Duke of Anjou. After inheriting the throne from her sister Mary I, Elizabeth was 300,000 in debt. The threat posed by the pretenders Perkin Warbeck and Lambert Simnel. - Most significant problem she faced as if she didn't have money she couldn't defend England against invasions. Guy states that Northumberland's success in foreign policy was due to ending Somerset's wars . In 1565 the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire proposed that Elizabeth marry Archduke Charles of Austria. The failure of the colonisation was due to: the resistance of the Native Americans; conflict amongst the English settlers (who collectively had the wrong mix of skills to make the settlement a real success); the loss of supplies via the damage incurred on The Tiger and the fact that the voyage set off too late for crops to be planted (causing dependence on the rightfully suspicious Native Americans). Elizabeths legitimacy was one of many problems that Elizabeth faced when she became Queen in 1558. Philip II and the Pope supported the plot that would involve the invasion of England by the Duke of Guise. It was a turning point: the rest of Elizabeth's reign was bedevilled by plots and rumours of Catholic rebellion. Elizabeth was born on 7th September 1533 to Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. Pick a key scene from the story and tell it from the third-person limited point of view, through Doodle's senses and feelings. Te Deums were sung in churches, bonfires lit, and "their was shott at the Tower that night above two thousand . The defeat of the Northern Earls showed there was little appetite for a Catholic revolution. Why was France a threat? Between the period between 1577 and 1580, Drake sailed around the world and carried out a number of raids on Spanish settlements and ships. In 1554 Mary had Elizabeth imprisoned in the Tower of London, briefly threatened her with execution, and then placed her under house arrest. 14-16 / Mary was married to Philip II of Spain. Before she came to the throne her mother Mary of Guise ruled Scotland while she remained in France married to the French prince Francis. Why religious compromise was so difficult. William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, Burghley also spelled Burleigh, also called (1551-71) Sir William Cecil, (born Sept. 13, 1520, Bourne, Lincolnshire, Eng.died Aug. 5, 1598, London), principal adviser to England's Queen Elizabeth I through most of her reign. The Armada sailed up the Channel in a defensive crescent formation which used the large armed galleons to protect the weaker supply ships and infantry ships. The Duke of Medina Sidonia sailed up the Channel and anchored at Calais while waiting for reinforcements from the Duke of Parmas troops. The English were worried about the threat of invasion and they attacked the Spanish ships as they sailed along the Channel, but the Armada was so strong that most of the ships reached Calais safely. Fearful of the wrath of Catholic powerhouses, France and Spain, Elizabeth did not want to be perceived as Europes leading Protestant. Philip IIs decision to reorganise the Dutch government and church angered both the Dutch Catholics and the Protestants. Complete the sentence in a way that shows you understand the meaning of the italicized vocabulary word. The lack of money was problematic because it meant England was potentially vulnerable to attack (and Elizabeth had no means by which to defend the country militarily). In response to the Throckmorton Plot, Elizabeths advisors drafted the Bond of Association, which was aimed at deterring any further plots. This interference greatly angered the Spanish and provoked the ire of many Catholics, who now no longer saw Elizabeth as a mediator of the status quo, but as an interfering, troublesome monarch. Upon his arrival, he accepted the position of Governor-General which proved to be a big mistake as it suggested that Elizabeth had taken control of the Netherlands. The reasons for, and significance of, Mary Queen of Scots execution in 1587. In 1570, Pope Pius V excommunicated Elizabeth, encouraging Catholics everywhere to rise up and depose the heretic queen. 214 High Street, This included: 1) the Act of Supremacy which stated that Elizabeth was Head of the Church, 2) the Act of Uniformity which set out expectations for church appearances and church services and 3) Royal Injunctions a set of instructions reinforcing the Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity. Register for free, Home / Another reason Dudley failed was a number of his officers were divided over questions of strategy. All Catholic priests are ordered to leave the country. The answer does touch upon the issue of religion but this could be extended further to acknowledge the extensive divisions within society given the preceding tumultuous changes (a brief mention of the role of the puritans for example could help). This meant atholics did not think . The negotiations dragged on for four years with Elizabeth never giving a firm answer and Charles refusing to give up his Catholic faith. [A clear summary of the arguments, once more making the link between Mary, the Pope and Catholic interference.]. Another extremely important problem Elizabeth faced were the threats from the Auld Alliance of France and Scotland, two Catholic countries that England was sandwiched between. On November 1569, the Earls managed to capture Durham and proceeded to celebrate Catholic Mass in the Cathedral before marching south in the direction of Tutbury, Derbyshire where Mary was imprisoned. Led by two powerful Catholic landowners, Thomas Percy, Earl of Northumberland, and Charles Neville, Earl of Westmorland, this rebellions principal aims included the restoration of Catholicism to England, as well as the installation of Mary as Queen of England. - The threat increased by the fact that Spain and France were catholic, but Elizabeth had chosen to move her country towards Protestantism. his early wars against France and his championing of Catholic orthodoxy against the teachings of Martin Luther. The Spanish invasion didnt go according to plan when the Spanish Armada was launched in 1588. Surviving colonists abandon Virginia and return to England. "the threat of invasions was Elizabeth's main problem when she became queen in 1558" - introduction. Suitable for the Edexcel GCSE History (9-1) course. You may use the following in your answer: Mary, Queen of Scots and foreign threat (12 marks) . The traditional bonds between England and Spain were deteriorating and England needed the support of France for protection from Spain. Northern Rebellion led by Earl of Westmorland. These problems all led to supply issues for the Spanish Armada and had a major impact on the morale of the Spanish troops. Another problem Elizabeth I had when she ascended to the throne in 1558 was the problems she had with illegitimacy. Therefore, Elizabeths legitimacy was questioned because of the marriage between Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Legitimacy of succession: The Pope did not recognise Henry VIII's marriage to Anne. Anne Boleyn (L), Henry VIII (C) and Elizabeth I (R) Elizabeth was born on 7th September 1533 to Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. Many northern nobles were still committed Catholics and wanted to see the restoration of Catholicism under a Catholic monarch. The treaty essentially allowed Elizabeth to focus on developing events in the Netherlands and not worry about protecting her northern border. [Clear link back to the question at the end of the paragraph here.]. He plotted a Spanish invasion of England, which would involve the killing of Elizabeth and the placing of Mary, Queen of Scots on the throne. migration? -In 1558, Elizabeth the first became queen. "the threat of invasions was Elizabeth's main problem when she became queen in 1558" - 3rd point + evidence, - However Elizabeth was also faced with threats about her legitimacy and gender, "the threat of invasions was Elizabeth's main problem when she became queen in 1558" - 3rd explanation. Foreign prince candinates would all be Catholic. The death of Spains leading admiral, Santa Cruz, in February 1588, led to the appointment of the inexperienced Duke of Medina Sidonia to lead the Spanish Armada. West Yorkshire, Copy. Babington and other known plotters were hanged, drawn and quartered. Over the last 40 years there had been 3 different rulers, Henry VIII, Edward VI and Mary I all of which had very different views on religion and running the country. J. Elizabeth had taken the decision to arrest any Catholic bishops that did not accept her authority as sovereign over them. Elizabeth I inherited a position of war with France, which was declared by Mary in 1556.