Edexcel GCSE History · Option B4

Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88

Exam-style questions with answers for Option B4 Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88 in Edexcel GCSE History (spec 1HI0). Practise with flashcards, a topic quiz, a random quiz across the course, 5 crosswords, or read every question and answer below.

All questions and answers

Question 1 · Option B4, Key topic 1.1
Who was William Cecil (Lord Burghley)? [1 mark]
Answer:
Elizabeth’s chief minister, Secretary of State and later Lord Treasurer.
Question 2 · Option B4, Key topic 1.1
Describe English society in 1558. [2 marks]
Answer:
A strict hierarchy: the monarch, then nobility, gentry, yeomen, tenant farmers and labourers (1); most people lived in the countryside and worked in farming (1).
Question 3 · Option B4, Key topic 1.1
Define the term ‘Privy Council’. [1 mark]
Answer:
The group of Elizabeth’s leading advisers who helped run the government.
Question 4 · Option B4, Key topic 1.1
Explain why Elizabeth's legitimacy was a problem in 1558. [2 marks]
Answer:
Catholics did not accept Henry VIII's marriage to Anne Boleyn (1); so to them Elizabeth was illegitimate and Mary, Queen of Scots, was the rightful queen (1).
Question 5 · Option B4, Key topic 1.1
Explain why Elizabeth faced difficulties as a female ruler. [2 marks]
Answer:
Many believed women were unfit to rule (1); she was expected to marry, and a husband might control her (1).
Question 6 · Option B4, Key topic 1.1
Explain why Elizabeth’s marriage was an issue. [2 marks]
Answer:
She needed an heir to secure the succession (1); a foreign husband could drag England into wars (1).
Question 7 · Option B4, Key topic 1.1
State two of Elizabeth's strengths in 1558. [2 marks]
Answer:
Any two from: well educated and intelligent (1); she spoke several languages (1); experienced at surviving danger under Mary I (1); she chose able advisers such as Cecil (1).
Question 8 · Option B4, Key topic 1.1
State two challenges Elizabeth faced from abroad in 1558. [2 marks]
Answer:
Any two from: France was at war with England and had just taken Calais (1); the 'Auld Alliance' between France and Scotland (1); Spain was powerful and Catholic (1); the Pope might call on Catholics to remove her (1).
Question 9 · Option B4, Key topic 1.1
Describe England's financial weakness in 1558. [1 mark]
Answer:
The Crown was about £300,000 in debt after the wars of Mary I.
Question 10 · Option B4, Key topic 1.2
What was the Elizabethan religious settlement (1559)? [2 marks]
Answer:
It made England Protestant, with Elizabeth as Supreme Governor of the Church (1); it kept some Catholic features to reduce opposition (the ‘middle way’) (1).
Question 11 · Option B4, Key topic 1.2
What was the Act of Supremacy (1559)? [1 mark]
Answer:
It made Elizabeth Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
Question 12 · Option B4, Key topic 1.2
What was the Act of Uniformity (1559)? [2 marks]
Answer:
It set up a single form of worship using the Book of Common Prayer (1); everyone had to attend church on Sunday or pay a fine of 12 pence (1).
Question 13 · Option B4, Key topic 1.2
What was the Royal Injunctions (1559)? [1 mark]
Answer:
Instructions to the clergy about how to carry out the settlement, including what to teach and how to dress.
Question 14 · Option B4, Key topic 1.2
Describe the role of the Church of England in society. [2 marks]
Answer:
The parish church was the centre of village life, used for services, baptisms, marriages and burials (1); it taught obedience to the queen and announced government news (1).
Question 15 · Option B4, Key topic 1.3
Who were the Puritans? [2 marks]
Answer:
Strict Protestants who wanted to ‘purify’ the Church of all Catholic features (1); they disliked bishops, vestments and church decoration (1).
Question 16 · Option B4, Key topic 1.3
Define the term ‘recusant’. [1 mark]
Answer:
A Catholic who refused to attend Church of England services.
Question 17 · Option B4, Key topic 1.3
What was the vestment controversy? [2 marks]
Answer:
Puritans refused to wear the clerical vestments required by the settlement (1); Elizabeth insisted, and in 1566 37 London clergy were suspended for refusing (1).
Question 18 · Option B4, Key topic 1.3
State two features of the Catholic threat in the 1560s. [2 marks]
Answer:
Any two from: many nobles in the north stayed Catholic (1); the Pope could excommunicate Elizabeth (1); Catholic Spain and France could invade (1).
Question 19 · Option B4, Key topic 1.4
Explain why Mary Queen of Scots was a threat to Elizabeth. [2 marks]
Answer:
She had a strong claim to the English throne (1); she was a Catholic focus for plots (1).
Question 20 · Option B4, Key topic 1.4
Why did Mary Queen of Scots flee to England in 1568? [1 mark]
Answer:
She was forced to abdicate after a rebellion and lost the Battle of Langside.
Question 21 · Option B4, Key topic 1.4
Explain why Elizabeth kept Mary, Queen of Scots, in captivity in 1568–69. [2 marks]
Answer:
If Mary was set free, she could raise support in Scotland or abroad (1); executing her would anger Catholic powers, so imprisonment was the safest option (1).
Question 22 · Option B4, Key topic 2.1
What was the Northern Rebellion (1569)? [2 marks]
Answer:
The Catholic earls of Northumberland and Westmorland rose against Elizabeth (1); they planned to marry Mary Queen of Scots to the Duke of Norfolk, but the rising was crushed (1).
Question 23 · Option B4, Key topic 2.1
State two reasons for the Revolt of the Northern Earls. [2 marks]
Answer:
Any two from: the earls wanted Catholicism restored (1); they had lost power to new men such as Cecil (1); a plan to marry Mary, Queen of Scots, to the Duke of Norfolk (1).
Question 24 · Option B4, Key topic 2.1
What was the Ridolfi Plot (1571)? [1 mark]
Answer:
A plan for a Spanish invasion to put Mary Queen of Scots on the throne, married to the Duke of Norfolk.
Question 25 · Option B4, Key topic 2.1
What was the Throckmorton Plot (1583)? [1 mark]
Answer:
A plan for a French invasion, funded by Spain, to free Mary and restore Catholicism.
Question 26 · Option B4, Key topic 2.1
What was the Babington Plot (1586)? [2 marks]
Answer:
A plot to murder Elizabeth and put Mary on the throne (1); Walsingham intercepted coded letters showing Mary approved (1).
Question 27 · Option B4, Key topic 2.1
How did Walsingham use spies? [2 marks]
Answer:
He built a network of spies and agents in England and abroad (1); he intercepted Mary's coded letters in the Babington Plot (1).
Question 28 · Option B4, Key topic 2.1
State two reasons why Mary, Queen of Scots, was executed in 1587. [2 marks]
Answer:
Any two from: the Babington Plot letters proved she agreed to Elizabeth's murder (1); she was the focus of every Catholic plot (1); Parliament and the Privy Council pressed for her death (1).
Question 29 · Option B4, Key topic 2.2
State two reasons for conflict with Spain. [2 marks]
Answer:
Any two from: religion (1); English support for the Dutch revolt (1); English piracy against Spanish treasure ships (1); the execution of Mary Queen of Scots (1).
Question 30 · Option B4, Key topic 2.2
Who were privateers? [1 mark]
Answer:
Private sailors given permission by the Crown to attack and rob enemy ships, especially Spanish treasure ships.
Question 31 · Option B4, Key topic 2.2
Explain why Drake's activities caused conflict with Spain. [2 marks]
Answer:
He attacked Spanish ships and colonies in the New World, taking treasure (1); Elizabeth knighted him, which Philip II saw as approval of piracy (1).
Question 32 · Option B4, Key topic 2.3
What was the Treaty of Nonsuch (1585)? [2 marks]
Answer:
Elizabeth agreed to send an army to help the Dutch rebels against Spain (1); this meant England was now at war with Spain (1).
Question 33 · Option B4, Key topic 2.3
What was Robert Dudley's role in the Netherlands? [2 marks]
Answer:
He led the English army sent to the Netherlands in 1585 (1); he was unsuccessful and angered Elizabeth by accepting the title of Governor-General (1).
Question 34 · Option B4, Key topic 2.3
What was the raid on Cadiz (1587)? [2 marks]
Answer:
Drake attacked the Spanish port and destroyed about 30 ships and supplies (1); it delayed the Armada by a year and was called 'singeing the King of Spain's beard' (1).
Question 35 · Option B4, Key topic 2.4
Describe the Spanish invasion plan of 1588. [2 marks]
Answer:
The Armada would sail up the Channel to the Netherlands (1); it would collect the Duke of Parma's army and carry it across to England (1).
Question 36 · Option B4, Key topic 2.4
Describe two key events of the Spanish Armada. [2 marks]
Answer:
Any two from: the Armada anchored at Calais (1); English fireships broke its formation (1); the Battle of Gravelines (1); the fleet sailed home round Scotland and Ireland, losing many ships in storms (1).
Question 37 · Option B4, Key topic 2.4
State three reasons for the defeat of the Spanish Armada (1588). [3 marks]
Answer:
Any three from: fireships at Calais broke the crescent formation (1); English ships were faster and had better cannon (1); the Battle of Gravelines (1); Parma’s army was not ready (1); storms on the voyage home (1).
Question 38 · Option B4, Key topic 3.1
Describe education in Elizabethan England. [2 marks]
Answer:
Boys from wealthy families went to grammar schools to learn Latin and Greek (1); most poor children received no schooling and girls were taught at home (1).
Question 39 · Option B4, Key topic 3.1
State two popular Elizabethan sports or pastimes. [2 marks]
Answer:
Any two from: bear-baiting and cock-fighting (1); football (1); hunting and hawking for the rich (1); dancing and music (1).
Question 40 · Option B4, Key topic 3.1
Name two Elizabethan theatres. [2 marks]
Answer:
Any two from: The Theatre (1576) (1); the Rose (1); the Globe (1599) (1); the Swan (1).
Question 41 · Option B4, Key topic 3.1
Explain why Puritans opposed the theatre. [2 marks]
Answer:
They believed plays were sinful and encouraged immoral behaviour (1); theatres attracted crowds, crime and disease (1).
Question 42 · Option B4, Key topic 3.2
State three reasons for the increase in poverty, 1558–88. [3 marks]
Answer:
Any three from: population growth (1); rising prices (inflation) (1); enclosure of land for sheep (1); changes in the cloth trade (1); the loss of monastic charity (1).
Question 43 · Option B4, Key topic 3.2
Define the term ‘vagabond’. [1 mark]
Answer:
A homeless person wandering in search of work, often treated as a criminal.
Question 44 · Option B4, Key topic 3.2
Define the terms ‘deserving’ and ‘undeserving’ poor. [2 marks]
Answer:
Deserving poor could not work, eg the old, sick or very young (1); undeserving poor were seen as able but unwilling to work, such as vagabonds (1).
Question 45 · Option B4, Key topic 3.2
What was the 1572 Vagabonds Act? [2 marks]
Answer:
It said vagabonds would be whipped and burned through the ear (1); it also made each parish collect a poor rate to help the deserving poor (1).
Question 46 · Option B4, Key topic 3.3
State two factors that encouraged exploration. [2 marks]
Answer:
Any two from: new technology, such as the astrolabe and better maps (1); larger, faster galleons (1); the drive to expand trade (1); hope of gold and treasure (1).
Question 47 · Option B4, Key topic 3.3
What was the significance of Drake’s circumnavigation (1577–1580)? [2 marks]
Answer:
He was the first Englishman to sail around the world (1); he brought back huge Spanish treasure and was knighted (1).
Question 48 · Option B4, Key topic 3.4
Who was Walter Raleigh? [2 marks]
Answer:
A courtier and explorer (1); he organised the failed Roanoke colony in Virginia in the 1580s (1).
Question 49 · Option B4, Key topic 3.4
State two reasons for the attempted colonisation of Virginia. [2 marks]
Answer:
Any two from: to find gold and other riches (1); to set up a base for attacking Spanish treasure ships (1); to grow crops and expand trade (1); to spread Protestantism (1).
Question 50 · Option B4, Key topic 3.4
State two reasons why the first settlement in Virginia failed. [2 marks]
Answer:
Any two from: poor relations with the local Native Americans (1); lack of supplies and food (1); the supply fleet was delayed by the Armada (1); colonists did not want to farm (1).

← Option B3 Henry VIII and his ministers, 1509–40 Option P1 Spain and the ‘New World’, c1490–c1555 →

Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88

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