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Early Elizabethan England KT1| History
Exam Edexcel Part 3| Questions and
Answers| Approved 100%
What were the main challenges Elizabeth faced from abroad?
Elizabeth faced threats from Spain, France, and Catholic Europe. Spain was the biggest
threat, especially after Elizabeth supported Dutch rebels and executed Mary, Queen of Scots,
which made tensions worse.
How did Elizabeth handle her succession problem?
Elizabeth never named an heir, which was risky. She knew it was important to keep the
succession issue quiet to avoid civil war, but it also meant there was uncertainty about what
would happen after her death.
Why was Elizabeth’s refusal to marry a political statement?
By refusing to marry, Elizabeth kept power for herself. It also allowed her to play suitors off
against each other and maintain control over England’s politics. Her "marriage" was to her
country, according to her speeches.
What was the role of the royal court in Elizabeth’s administration?
The royal court helped with decision-making and the king or queen’s public image. For
Elizabeth, it was also a place where she kept powerful nobles loyal and kept her image as "Virgin
Queen" strong.
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What were Elizabeth’s foreign policy goals?
Elizabeth wanted to protect England from foreign threats, expand England’s influence
through trade and exploration, and weaken Spain. Her support for the Dutch rebels and attacks
on Spanish ships were part of these goals.
What was the significance of the Act of Uniformity (1559)?
The Act of Uniformity set out how church services should be run, making sure everyone
followed the same Protestant services. It helped create a uniform religious practice across
England, although it was still a compromise between Catholics and Protestants.
How did Elizabeth handle the threat from Mary, Queen of Scots?
Elizabeth saw Mary as a threat because she was a Catholic claimant to the throne. Elizabeth
kept her imprisoned for 19 years, but never took any action that could have made Mary a martyr.
Eventually, Mary was executed after being found guilty of plotting against Elizabeth.
Why was the religious settlement of 1559 so important for Elizabeth?
The Religious Settlement helped Elizabeth find a middle ground between Catholics and
Protestants. It set up the Church of England as the official church, but with some Catholic
practices, so she could keep both sides from rebelling.
How did the Spanish Armada affect England’s relationship with Spain?
The Spanish Armada was a major turning point. After the defeat of the Armada in 1588,
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England felt more powerful and confident. It worsened relations with Spain, who saw England as
a threat, and this led to continuous tension between the two countries.
What was the role of Puritans during Elizabeth’s reign?
Puritans were a Protestant group that wanted to make the Church of England more "pure" by
removing Catholic influences. They were constantly at odds with Elizabeth’s religious policies
because she didn’t want to go as far as they did in reforming the Church.
How did Elizabeth secure her throne early on, despite challenges?
Elizabeth had to deal with threats from Catholic countries and plots against her. She worked
hard to gain support from key groups like the nobility, the people, and the Protestant reformers,
which helped secure her rule despite the dangers.
Why was Elizabeth’s marriage issue such a big political concern?
Elizabeth never married, which worried people because it meant there was no clear heir to
the throne. Some saw it as a weakness, and foreign powers tried to use her "unmarried" status to
destabilize her rule.
What were the key factors in Elizabeth’s decision to support the Dutch rebels?
Elizabeth supported the Dutch rebels because they were fighting Spanish control and Spain
was a huge threat. Helping the Dutch meant upsetting Spain, but it was also a way to weaken
Spain’s power in Europe.
Early Elizabethan England KT1| History
Exam Edexcel Part 3| Questions and
Answers| Approved 100%
What were the main challenges Elizabeth faced from abroad?
Elizabeth faced threats from Spain, France, and Catholic Europe. Spain was the biggest
threat, especially after Elizabeth supported Dutch rebels and executed Mary, Queen of Scots,
which made tensions worse.
How did Elizabeth handle her succession problem?
Elizabeth never named an heir, which was risky. She knew it was important to keep the
succession issue quiet to avoid civil war, but it also meant there was uncertainty about what
would happen after her death.
Why was Elizabeth’s refusal to marry a political statement?
By refusing to marry, Elizabeth kept power for herself. It also allowed her to play suitors off
against each other and maintain control over England’s politics. Her "marriage" was to her
country, according to her speeches.
What was the role of the royal court in Elizabeth’s administration?
The royal court helped with decision-making and the king or queen’s public image. For
Elizabeth, it was also a place where she kept powerful nobles loyal and kept her image as "Virgin
Queen" strong.
, 2
What were Elizabeth’s foreign policy goals?
Elizabeth wanted to protect England from foreign threats, expand England’s influence
through trade and exploration, and weaken Spain. Her support for the Dutch rebels and attacks
on Spanish ships were part of these goals.
What was the significance of the Act of Uniformity (1559)?
The Act of Uniformity set out how church services should be run, making sure everyone
followed the same Protestant services. It helped create a uniform religious practice across
England, although it was still a compromise between Catholics and Protestants.
How did Elizabeth handle the threat from Mary, Queen of Scots?
Elizabeth saw Mary as a threat because she was a Catholic claimant to the throne. Elizabeth
kept her imprisoned for 19 years, but never took any action that could have made Mary a martyr.
Eventually, Mary was executed after being found guilty of plotting against Elizabeth.
Why was the religious settlement of 1559 so important for Elizabeth?
The Religious Settlement helped Elizabeth find a middle ground between Catholics and
Protestants. It set up the Church of England as the official church, but with some Catholic
practices, so she could keep both sides from rebelling.
How did the Spanish Armada affect England’s relationship with Spain?
The Spanish Armada was a major turning point. After the defeat of the Armada in 1588,
, 3
England felt more powerful and confident. It worsened relations with Spain, who saw England as
a threat, and this led to continuous tension between the two countries.
What was the role of Puritans during Elizabeth’s reign?
Puritans were a Protestant group that wanted to make the Church of England more "pure" by
removing Catholic influences. They were constantly at odds with Elizabeth’s religious policies
because she didn’t want to go as far as they did in reforming the Church.
How did Elizabeth secure her throne early on, despite challenges?
Elizabeth had to deal with threats from Catholic countries and plots against her. She worked
hard to gain support from key groups like the nobility, the people, and the Protestant reformers,
which helped secure her rule despite the dangers.
Why was Elizabeth’s marriage issue such a big political concern?
Elizabeth never married, which worried people because it meant there was no clear heir to
the throne. Some saw it as a weakness, and foreign powers tried to use her "unmarried" status to
destabilize her rule.
What were the key factors in Elizabeth’s decision to support the Dutch rebels?
Elizabeth supported the Dutch rebels because they were fighting Spanish control and Spain
was a huge threat. Helping the Dutch meant upsetting Spain, but it was also a way to weaken
Spain’s power in Europe.
