Edexcel GCSE History
Edexcel option: Early Elizabethan England, 1558-88 — Edexcel GCSE History revision
Free revision notes, key terms, common exam traps and 5 practice questions with answers. About 8 minutes to read.
Queen, government and religion
- Elizabeth inherited problems in 1558: a large debt, war with France, religious division, a weak claim challenged by Mary, Queen of Scots and pressure to marry.
- Government worked through the court, Privy Council, parliament, lord lieutenants and justices of the peace, with patronage binding elites to the crown.
- The 1559 Settlement (Act of Supremacy, Act of Uniformity, Royal Injunctions) created a broadly Protestant church; Puritan challenges over vestments and prophesyings followed, while Catholic recusancy grew.
Challenges at home and abroad
- Catholic threats escalated: the Revolt of the Northern Earls (1569), the papal bull (1570), and the Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington plots, all linked to Mary, Queen of Scots, executed in 1587.
- Relations with Spain deteriorated through commercial rivalry, English privateering, Dutch revolt involvement and the Treaty of Nonsuch (1585).
- The Armada (1588) failed because of English fireships and gunnery, Spanish planning problems including the Duke of Medina Sidonia's inexperience, communication failures and severe weather.
Key terms
- Act of Supremacy
- 1559 law making Elizabeth Supreme Governor of the Church.
- Act of Uniformity
- 1559 law setting the form of worship and Prayer Book.
- Royal Injunctions
- Instructions issued to enforce the religious settlement.
- Prophesyings
- Puritan meetings for preaching that Elizabeth opposed.
- Papal bull
- 1570 order excommunicating Elizabeth and freeing Catholics from loyalty.
- Treaty of Nonsuch
- 1585 agreement sending English troops to help the Dutch.
Common exam traps
- Saying the settlement solved religion permanently — Puritan and Catholic challenges continued throughout.
- Forgetting the significance of the 1570 papal bull for Catholic loyalty.
- Explaining the Armada only through weather; English tactics and Spanish errors are essential.
Practice questions with answers
1. Elizabeth became queen in:
- • 1553
- • 1558
- • 1569
- • 1588
Answer: 1558
She inherited debt, war and religious division.
2. Name two parts of the 1559 Religious Settlement.
Answer: Act of Supremacy and Act of Uniformity (plus Royal Injunctions)
Together they defined the new church.
3. Elizabeth's title in the church was:
- • Supreme Head
- • Supreme Governor
- • Pope
- • Archbishop
Answer: Supreme Governor
A wording chosen to reduce Catholic offence.
4. Why did the papal bull of 1570 increase danger?
Answer: It excommunicated Elizabeth and told Catholics they need not obey her, encouraging plots
Loyalty became a religious choice.
5. The Revolt of the Northern Earls happened in:
- • 1558
- • 1569
- • 1571
- • 1586
Answer: 1569
It aimed to restore Catholicism and free Mary.
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This topic has 52 questions in total, plus flashcards, cram mode and Grade 9 Push challenges.
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