AQA Elizabethan History (includes
Historic Environment 2025: Americas and
Drake's Circumnavigation)
Who were Elizabeth's main potential husbands?
Elizabeth's main potential husbands were Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester; Francis, Duke
of Anjou & Alençon; and Philip II of Spain.
What was Elizabeth's religious upbringing?
Elizabeth was brought up as a Protestant, symbolizing the Break with Rome.
Who were Elizabeth's parents?
Elizabeth's parents were Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
How old was Elizabeth when her mother was executed?
Elizabeth was two and a half years old when her mother was executed.
Who provided Elizabeth with an excellent education?
Elizabeth's tutor, Roger Ascham, provided her with an excellent education.
Who accused Elizabeth of treason during the reign of Edward VI?
Elizabeth was accused of treason by her brother, Edward VI.
What was the Royal Court in Elizabethan England?
The Royal Court was the center of Elizabethan government, consisting of about 1,000
people including servants and senior statesmen.
Who advised Elizabeth in matters of government?
Elizabeth was advised by the Privy Council, consisting of about 15-20 men.
What role did the Privy Council play in Elizabethan government?
,The Privy Council was responsible for the day-to-day running of the country and advised
the monarch.
How did Elizabeth display her power through the Royal Court?
Elizabeth displayed her power through banquets, plays, ceremonies, and patronage.
What was the Queen's method of keeping support through key appointments?
The Queen used patronage, giving people key jobs, to keep their support.
Who made laws in Elizabethan England?
Laws were made by Parliament.
Who governed local areas in Elizabethan England?
Local areas were governed by Lords Lieutenant.
What was the role of Lords Lieutenant?
Lords Lieutenant governed local areas and were assisted by Justices of the Peace.
Who assisted Lords Lieutenant in governing local areas?
Lords Lieutenant were assisted by Justices of the Peace.
Who was William Cecil, Lord Burghley?
William Cecil, Lord Burghley, was Elizabeth's most important adviser from the start of her
reign until his death in 1598.
What position did William Cecil hold in Elizabeth's government?
William Cecil served as Secretary of State.
What were some of William Cecil's goals for England?
William Cecil wanted a strong, Protestant England. He also played a role in building up
the navy, asserting control over Ireland, and reforming the Poor Laws.
Who was Sir Francis Walsingham?
Sir Francis Walsingham was Elizabeth's spymaster.
, What were some of Sir Francis Walsingham's achievements?
Sir Francis Walsingham uncovered Catholic plots, including the Babington Plot that led
to the execution of Mary Queen of Scots. He supported the development of the navy and
undermined Spanish military preparations.
Who was Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester?
Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, was a favorite of Elizabeth.
What was the rumored relationship between Elizabeth and Robert Dudley?
It was rumored that Elizabeth and Robert Dudley were lovers, and there were
speculations about marriage until the suspicious death of Dudley's wife.
What was the structure of Parliament during Elizabeth's reign?
Parliament consisted of the House of Lords (about 90 members of the nobility) and the
House of Commons (about 450 members of the gentry).
How often did Parliament meet during Elizabeth's reign on average?
On average, Parliament met for about three weeks per year during Elizabeth's reign and
didn't meet at all in 29 of the 45 years of her reign.
Why was Elizabeth's gender seen as a weakness by some?
Elizabeth's gender was seen as a weakness because Tudor society associated leadership
qualities with physical strength, decisiveness, and being a religious leader, which were
traditionally attributed to men.
Who was John Knox and what did he criticize?
John Knox was a Scottish Protestant who criticized female rulers and wrote a book titled
"The First Blast of the Monstrous Trumpet."
How did Elizabeth use her gender to her advantage over time?
Over time, Elizabeth developed the image of the Virgin Queen, portraying herself as
married to her realm, which helped her to overcome some of the challenges associated
with being a female monarch.
Historic Environment 2025: Americas and
Drake's Circumnavigation)
Who were Elizabeth's main potential husbands?
Elizabeth's main potential husbands were Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester; Francis, Duke
of Anjou & Alençon; and Philip II of Spain.
What was Elizabeth's religious upbringing?
Elizabeth was brought up as a Protestant, symbolizing the Break with Rome.
Who were Elizabeth's parents?
Elizabeth's parents were Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
How old was Elizabeth when her mother was executed?
Elizabeth was two and a half years old when her mother was executed.
Who provided Elizabeth with an excellent education?
Elizabeth's tutor, Roger Ascham, provided her with an excellent education.
Who accused Elizabeth of treason during the reign of Edward VI?
Elizabeth was accused of treason by her brother, Edward VI.
What was the Royal Court in Elizabethan England?
The Royal Court was the center of Elizabethan government, consisting of about 1,000
people including servants and senior statesmen.
Who advised Elizabeth in matters of government?
Elizabeth was advised by the Privy Council, consisting of about 15-20 men.
What role did the Privy Council play in Elizabethan government?
,The Privy Council was responsible for the day-to-day running of the country and advised
the monarch.
How did Elizabeth display her power through the Royal Court?
Elizabeth displayed her power through banquets, plays, ceremonies, and patronage.
What was the Queen's method of keeping support through key appointments?
The Queen used patronage, giving people key jobs, to keep their support.
Who made laws in Elizabethan England?
Laws were made by Parliament.
Who governed local areas in Elizabethan England?
Local areas were governed by Lords Lieutenant.
What was the role of Lords Lieutenant?
Lords Lieutenant governed local areas and were assisted by Justices of the Peace.
Who assisted Lords Lieutenant in governing local areas?
Lords Lieutenant were assisted by Justices of the Peace.
Who was William Cecil, Lord Burghley?
William Cecil, Lord Burghley, was Elizabeth's most important adviser from the start of her
reign until his death in 1598.
What position did William Cecil hold in Elizabeth's government?
William Cecil served as Secretary of State.
What were some of William Cecil's goals for England?
William Cecil wanted a strong, Protestant England. He also played a role in building up
the navy, asserting control over Ireland, and reforming the Poor Laws.
Who was Sir Francis Walsingham?
Sir Francis Walsingham was Elizabeth's spymaster.
, What were some of Sir Francis Walsingham's achievements?
Sir Francis Walsingham uncovered Catholic plots, including the Babington Plot that led
to the execution of Mary Queen of Scots. He supported the development of the navy and
undermined Spanish military preparations.
Who was Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester?
Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, was a favorite of Elizabeth.
What was the rumored relationship between Elizabeth and Robert Dudley?
It was rumored that Elizabeth and Robert Dudley were lovers, and there were
speculations about marriage until the suspicious death of Dudley's wife.
What was the structure of Parliament during Elizabeth's reign?
Parliament consisted of the House of Lords (about 90 members of the nobility) and the
House of Commons (about 450 members of the gentry).
How often did Parliament meet during Elizabeth's reign on average?
On average, Parliament met for about three weeks per year during Elizabeth's reign and
didn't meet at all in 29 of the 45 years of her reign.
Why was Elizabeth's gender seen as a weakness by some?
Elizabeth's gender was seen as a weakness because Tudor society associated leadership
qualities with physical strength, decisiveness, and being a religious leader, which were
traditionally attributed to men.
Who was John Knox and what did he criticize?
John Knox was a Scottish Protestant who criticized female rulers and wrote a book titled
"The First Blast of the Monstrous Trumpet."
How did Elizabeth use her gender to her advantage over time?
Over time, Elizabeth developed the image of the Virgin Queen, portraying herself as
married to her realm, which helped her to overcome some of the challenges associated
with being a female monarch.
