1
Government and Religion: GCSE Edexcel
History Elizabeth| Exam Questions and
Answers| Fully Updated 2025/2026
Explain why Elizabeth's legitimacy was questioned by some people in 1558.
Her parents’ marriage (Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn) was seen as illegal by Catholics, so
they thought Elizabeth was technically illegitimate.
Assess the importance of the Royal Court in Elizabethan politics.
The Court showed off Elizabeth’s power and gave her control over who got influence, even
if it didn’t pass laws or rule directly.
Why did Elizabeth avoid marrying throughout her reign?
She didn’t want to share power, marrying a foreign prince risked dragging England into
wars, and any husband would upset someone politically.
Analyse how Elizabeth used patronage to maintain control.
She gave out titles, jobs, and land to make nobles loyal to her. It was like rewarding mates,
but smartly done so no one got too powerful.
Explain why the Privy Council was essential to Elizabeth’s government.
It helped her make decisions on everything—law, security, religion—but she still had the
final say, so it didn’t threaten her power.
, 2
Explore the reasons for the Religious Settlement of 1559.
Elizabeth wanted to avoid civil war, keep both Protestants and moderate Catholics on side,
and make religion stable without looking too extreme.
How did the Act of Uniformity try to keep religious peace?
Everyone had to go to church, but the services were vague enough that most people could
accept them—even if they disagreed quietly.
Why did Puritans oppose Elizabeth’s Religious Settlement?
They wanted a fully Protestant Church with no bishops or fancy rituals—Elizabeth’s
settlement was too Catholic-looking for them.
Assess why Elizabeth dealt cautiously with Catholic threats early on.
She didn’t want to turn Catholics into martyrs or start a rebellion. At first, she hoped most
would just quietly accept the new system.
How far did excommunication by the Pope in 1570 increase the Catholic threat?
It gave Catholics a reason to rebel, since they were told not to obey Elizabeth anymore—so it
made the religious threat more serious.
, 3
Explain the reasons for the Northern Rebellion (1569).
Northern nobles wanted Catholicism restored and felt pushed out of power. They also
supported Mary, Queen of Scots, as an alternative monarch.
Why did Elizabeth execute Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1587 despite years of avoiding it?
After plots like Babington, she was too dangerous. Mary’s death removed a Catholic
figurehead and made Elizabeth safer—finally.
How significant was the Babington Plot in threatening Elizabeth’s rule?
It directly involved Mary agreeing to a plan to kill Elizabeth. That gave Elizabeth enough
evidence to justify executing her.
Evaluate the threat posed by the Jesuits in the 1580s.
They secretly tried to turn people back to Catholicism. While few succeeded, it made
Protestants paranoid about a Catholic uprising.
Why did Elizabethans see Catholics as a threat after 1580?
Because of foreign plots, Mary’s presence, and Jesuit missionaries—it looked like religion
and rebellion were now linked.
Assess why England and Spain went to war by 1585.
Religious differences, English support for Dutch rebels, piracy, and Elizabeth rejecting
Philip’s marriage proposal all built up the pressure.
, 4
Explain how privateers like Drake helped Elizabeth challenge Spain.
They raided Spanish ships for gold and disrupted their empire. It hurt Spain’s economy and
made Elizabeth look bold—without open war at first.
To what extent did the Spanish Armada fail due to English tactics?
English ships were faster, more flexible, and used fire ships well—but bad Spanish planning
and weather were big factors too.
How did Elizabeth use propaganda after the Armada’s defeat?
She claimed it was a miracle from God and boosted her image as a strong Protestant queen
chosen by heaven.
Why was the Dutch Revolt important for Elizabeth’s foreign policy?
Helping the rebels hurt Spain, protected English trade, and stopped Catholic influence from
growing too close to home.
Why did Elizabeth face financial problems during her reign?
Wars, inflation, and an old-fashioned tax system meant she didn’t always have enough
money—so she had to be smart with spending.
Government and Religion: GCSE Edexcel
History Elizabeth| Exam Questions and
Answers| Fully Updated 2025/2026
Explain why Elizabeth's legitimacy was questioned by some people in 1558.
Her parents’ marriage (Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn) was seen as illegal by Catholics, so
they thought Elizabeth was technically illegitimate.
Assess the importance of the Royal Court in Elizabethan politics.
The Court showed off Elizabeth’s power and gave her control over who got influence, even
if it didn’t pass laws or rule directly.
Why did Elizabeth avoid marrying throughout her reign?
She didn’t want to share power, marrying a foreign prince risked dragging England into
wars, and any husband would upset someone politically.
Analyse how Elizabeth used patronage to maintain control.
She gave out titles, jobs, and land to make nobles loyal to her. It was like rewarding mates,
but smartly done so no one got too powerful.
Explain why the Privy Council was essential to Elizabeth’s government.
It helped her make decisions on everything—law, security, religion—but she still had the
final say, so it didn’t threaten her power.
, 2
Explore the reasons for the Religious Settlement of 1559.
Elizabeth wanted to avoid civil war, keep both Protestants and moderate Catholics on side,
and make religion stable without looking too extreme.
How did the Act of Uniformity try to keep religious peace?
Everyone had to go to church, but the services were vague enough that most people could
accept them—even if they disagreed quietly.
Why did Puritans oppose Elizabeth’s Religious Settlement?
They wanted a fully Protestant Church with no bishops or fancy rituals—Elizabeth’s
settlement was too Catholic-looking for them.
Assess why Elizabeth dealt cautiously with Catholic threats early on.
She didn’t want to turn Catholics into martyrs or start a rebellion. At first, she hoped most
would just quietly accept the new system.
How far did excommunication by the Pope in 1570 increase the Catholic threat?
It gave Catholics a reason to rebel, since they were told not to obey Elizabeth anymore—so it
made the religious threat more serious.
, 3
Explain the reasons for the Northern Rebellion (1569).
Northern nobles wanted Catholicism restored and felt pushed out of power. They also
supported Mary, Queen of Scots, as an alternative monarch.
Why did Elizabeth execute Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1587 despite years of avoiding it?
After plots like Babington, she was too dangerous. Mary’s death removed a Catholic
figurehead and made Elizabeth safer—finally.
How significant was the Babington Plot in threatening Elizabeth’s rule?
It directly involved Mary agreeing to a plan to kill Elizabeth. That gave Elizabeth enough
evidence to justify executing her.
Evaluate the threat posed by the Jesuits in the 1580s.
They secretly tried to turn people back to Catholicism. While few succeeded, it made
Protestants paranoid about a Catholic uprising.
Why did Elizabethans see Catholics as a threat after 1580?
Because of foreign plots, Mary’s presence, and Jesuit missionaries—it looked like religion
and rebellion were now linked.
Assess why England and Spain went to war by 1585.
Religious differences, English support for Dutch rebels, piracy, and Elizabeth rejecting
Philip’s marriage proposal all built up the pressure.
, 4
Explain how privateers like Drake helped Elizabeth challenge Spain.
They raided Spanish ships for gold and disrupted their empire. It hurt Spain’s economy and
made Elizabeth look bold—without open war at first.
To what extent did the Spanish Armada fail due to English tactics?
English ships were faster, more flexible, and used fire ships well—but bad Spanish planning
and weather were big factors too.
How did Elizabeth use propaganda after the Armada’s defeat?
She claimed it was a miracle from God and boosted her image as a strong Protestant queen
chosen by heaven.
Why was the Dutch Revolt important for Elizabeth’s foreign policy?
Helping the rebels hurt Spain, protected English trade, and stopped Catholic influence from
growing too close to home.
Why did Elizabeth face financial problems during her reign?
Wars, inflation, and an old-fashioned tax system meant she didn’t always have enough
money—so she had to be smart with spending.
