1. Early Elizabeth England, Paper 2
1558 – 1588 – Key Topic 2:
Early Elizabeth England, Paper 2
Student Notes

2. Key topic 2: Challenges to Elizabeth at home and abroad, 1569–88
1 Plots and revolts at home
● The reasons for, and significance of, the Revolt of the Northern Earls, 1569–70.
● The features and significance of the Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington plots. Walsingham and the use of spies.
● The reasons for, and significance of, Mary Queen of Scots’ execution in 1587.
2 Relations with Spain
● Political and religious rivalry.
● Commercial rivalry. The New World, privateering and the significance of the activities of Drake.
3 Outbreak of war with Spain, 1585–88
● English direct involvement in the Netherlands, 1585–88. The role of Robert Dudley.
● Drake and the raid on Cadiz: ‘Singeing the King of Spain’s beard’.
4 The Armada
● Spanish invasion plans. Reasons why Philip used the Spanish Armada.
● The reasons for, and consequences of, the English victory.

3. The main threats in England, 1570s
Phillip II of Spain, who was a strict Catholic, wanted to destroy Protestantism.
Spain had a rich and growing empire in the Americas . This made Spain rich and powerful.
Threat 1
English Catholics were increasingly under suspicion after the Northern Earls’ Revolt in 1569.
In 1570 the Pope freed English Catholics from obedience and called for a uprising.
From 1574, Catholic priests were smuggled in to England.
Threat 4
Phillip II of Spain persecuted Dutch Protestants, leading to a revolt in 1566 which lasted decades.
A large Spanish army was sent to the Netherlands in 1567.
Elizabeth’s support for Dutch Protestants upset Spain.
Threat 2
Mary, Queen of Scots had a legitimate claim to the English throne and was the focus of many plots to depose Elizabeth after fleeing to England in 1568.
Mary’s French family, Guise, was very powerful and formed a Catholic League in France against Protestants.

4. The Revolt of the Northern Earls
Why did the revolt happen?
The North of England was very far away from the South and Elizabeth and her court.
Many people in the north were loyal to the old religion, Catholicism, and to the ancient noble families who had ruled the north for centuries. They wanted Catholicism returned to the court.
Elizabeth was a Protestant and had introduced “new men” to court. These were from the lower ranks of the nobility and the gentry and they held positions of great power.
The earls had lost a great deal of power since Elizabeth had become queen in 1558.
Elizabeth refused to name an heir or to marry and have children, which created uncertainty about England’s future.
Mary, Queen of Scots, in captivity in England, was a figure head who could easily replace Elizabeth, and in doing so, solve all of the Earl’s other problems.
Who were the key players in the revolt?
Thomas Percy, Earl of Northumberland was Catholic. He had held a high place in court under Mary. He had lost the rights to a valuable copper mine found on his land to the queen in 1567.
Charles Neville, Earl of Westmorland, from an important Northern Catholic family and the Duke of Norfolk’s brother-in-law.
Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, one of England’s most senior nobles and a Protestant, with links to old, northern Catholic families. He disliked the queen’s new favourites. A central part of the revolt was to get Mary, Queen of Scots to marry the Duke of Norfolk, but he changed his mind at the last minute and urged them not to rebel.
Mary, Queen of Scots, supported the plan to marry the Duke of Norfolk and perhaps even take the English throne.
Jane Neville, the wife if Charles Neville and the Duke of Norfolk’s sister.
Ann Percy, wife of Thomas Percy, key in persuading her husband.

5. Religion and Politics in the Revolt
Elizabeth did not want to persecute Catholics, but she did want the Old Religion to die out. She appointed James Pilkington as Bishop of Durham in the north. He was a committed Protestant and she hoped that he would lessen the influence of Catholicism in the north. However, his efforts to impose Protestantism as the most important clergyman in the north caused a backlash, with many northerners turning against England’s new religion.
Politics
Under Mary I, the Catholic Earls of Westmorland and Northumberland had been very influential, both at court and locally. Northumberland particularly resented a up-and-coming northern family, the Forsters, whom Elizabeth favoured. She gave Sir John Forster the important task of looking after the borders with Scotland. Northumberland’s relationship with the queen never recovered from this, and his Catholicism made Elizabeth’s closest advisor, William Cecil, see him as a threat.
Mary, Queen of Scots and the succession
The revolt started as part of a wider conspiracy; if Elizabeth were to die before having a child or naming an heir, England could be thrown in to confusion, possibly a civil war. Therefore, the wider plot was to have Mary marry the Duke of Norfolk. This would mean that there were obvious heirs to the throne. Even though Mary was a Catholic, Norfolk was a Protestant and people assumed his children would be too. This would also solve the problem of what to do with Mary. Although not an act of treason, this plot gave Elizabeth’s courtiers cold feet because marriage of the nobilty required the queen’s consent, Elizabeth had mad it clear that the succession was a matter of Royal Prerogative (her business) and the Duke of Norfolk was close to Catholic families, who may still want a new queen.

6. The Revolt of the Northern Earls – the plan
The earls of Northumberland and Westmorland will raise rebel forces from their lands and take control of Durham.
The rebels will then march south towards London with the Duke of Norfolk.
Several thousand Spanish troops will land in Hartlepool to support rebel forces.
The Duke of Norfolk and the rebel forces will seize the government and overthrow Elizabeth.
Any resistance will be overthrown by the Spanish troops.
Meanwhile, Mary Queen of Scots is to be freed ready to marry the Duke of Norfolk and take the English throne.
In September 1569, Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, decided to inform Elizabeth of the plot.

7. The Revolt of the Northern Earls – key events
The troops from Spain failed to show up and the revolt failed. Elizabeth had managed to raise an army of men. However, the revolt had been a real threat.
In response, 450 were executed as a warning, including Northumberland, whose head was put on a spike above York’s city gates.
However, Elizabeth released Norfolk, much to her Privy Council’s annoyance, and kept Mary captive for a further 14 years.
Mary was a tricky problem. If she was executed, Elizabeth would further be supporting the overthrowing of a legitimate monarch. If she didn’t, there would be more plots.
In 1570 the Pope issued a Papal Bull (order written by the Pope) excommunicating Elizabeth and calling on Catholics to depose her.
Elizabeth retaliated by getting Parliament to widen the definition of treason to include circulating Papal Bulls and suggesting that she was not the legitimate monarch.

8. The Revolt of the Northern Earls – significance
It was the first, and most serious rebellious act by English Catholics against Elizabeth I.
It ended the influence of the Percy and Neville families.
The treason laws became harsher and the definition of treason became wider.
The Revolt of the Northern Earls – significance
Although Elizabeth’s punishments were harsh, the majority of Catholics in the North remained loyal. However, the revolt encouraged the Pope to excommunicate Elizabeth and issue the Papal Bull. This meant that English Catholics were now always going to be under suspicion as they now had two “leaders” who were at odds with each other, which one would they support the most?
It prompted harsher treatment of Catholics. For example, Elizabeth sent the Earl of Huntingdon, a committed Protestant, to lead the Council of the North (a council used to implement Elizabeth’s laws and authority in the North as it was far from Elizabeth’s reach. This was especially needed in times of lawlessness or Scottish threat) He implemented laws which effectively supressed Catholicism.

9. Ridolfi Plot Throckmorton Plot Babington Plot What Happened
Ridolfi was an Italian banker living in England and one of the Pope’s spies.
In March 1571 he left England to discuss the plot with the Pope, Philip II of Spain and The Duke of Alba, situated in the Netherlands.
The plan was to murder Elizabeth, put Mary, Queen of Scots on the throne and marry her to the Duke of Norfolk. He had a letter from the Duke of Norfolk agreeing, and Philip II told Alba to prepare men to help.
Sir William Cecil uncovered the plan and showed it, with evidence, to Elizabeth.
Norfolk and Mary’s death warrants were signed and Norfolk executed, but Elizabeth refused to set a date for Mary.
This plot planned for the French Duke of Guise, the cousin of Mary, Queen of Scots, to invade England, overthrow Elizabeth and free Mary. Catholicism would be restored and Philip II would provide financial support. The Pope approved this plan.
Francis Throckmorton was to act as a go-between with Mary.
Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth’s Secretary of State , uncovered the plot in 1573, finding incriminating evidence in Throckmorton’s house.
Throckmorton was arrested in November 1573, tortured and eventually executed in May 1574.
This plot encouraged Catholics to rise up against Elizabeth in The plan was to kill her, for the Duke of Guise to invade England with men and put Mary on the throne. The Pope and Philip II supported the plot.
Anthony Babington wrote to Mary with details of the plot, but the letter was intercepted by Walsingham, and all 6 Catholics involved were arrested. The six were hanged, drawn and quartered in October 1586.
Mary was finally tried by the Privy Council and found guilty. Elizabeth hesitated, but eventually signed the death warrant and Mary was executed on 8th February.
Significance
The plot reinforced the threat caused by Mary and the Catholics.
It also reinforced the threat of Spain to England, especially with the Duke of Alba based in the Netherlands.
Because of the threat from Spain, Elizabeth focussed on improving relationships with France.
It showed the possible power of Spain and France if they combined against England.
Throckmorton’s papers included a list of Catholic sympathisers in England, making the Catholic threat seem even more real.
Life became harder for Catholics. Many fled England and up to were imprisoned, under surveillance or house arrest.
1585, a law was passed making helping a Catholic punishable by death.
Relationships with Spain were now completely broken and the English were aiding Dutch plots against the Spanish. Elizabeth’s position was now even more dangerous.
The government became even more determined to crush Catholicsm, with 300 arrests in north London alone and 31 executions of priests.
Mary’s execution ended any hope of replacing Elizabeth with a Catholic heir.

10. Priest Holes: in order to keep Catholicism alive in England, Catholic priests were smuggled in from 1574 and often stayed with well-to-do Catholics. This was very dangerous and houses were often raided, so priest holes were developed.
Mary, Queen of Scots, execution: A new Act for the Preservation of the Queen’s safety had been passed in It stated that, in the event of Elizabeth’s assassination. Mary was to the barred from the succession. Action could only be taken against Mary after a commission had investigated, held a trail and found her guilty.
The evidence of Walsingham: was enough to ensure Mary, Queen of Scot’s execution in October 1586 under the Act.
The threat of Spain: it was becoming clear that Philip II was a major threat and planning an attack. In January 1587, there were rumours that Spanish troops had landed in Wales and Mary had escaped.
Mary’s execution: removed a major threat to Elizabeth but gave Philip another excuse to invade.

11. Walsingham’s use of spies
In 1573 Sir Francis Walsingham became Elizabeth’s Secretary of State. He developed an impressive international system of spies.
He had spies in every county and important town in England. Some were trained agents, but some were ordinary people who were paid for information, which effectively turned ordinary people in to spies on their neighbours. By 1580, he was building up an impressive network in Europe too.
He also used ciphers (a secret way of writing in code) to hide his plans to catch those plotting against Elizabeth.
Other informants were captured priests, such as John Hart, who agreed to be a spy in return for his life in Given that 6 priests had been tortured and executed in 1580, this is not surprising.
Walsingham also used agent provocateurs (agents who go undercover within a suspected gang in order to uncover threats) to discover traitors. Even nobility was spied on.
Walsingham did not agree with torture because he thought it might make people feel sorry for Catholics. Evidence suggests he only used it in extreme situations.

12. Elizabeth’s foreign policy
Commercial rivalry.
English merchants were beginning to explore new markets and make new trading partners. They went to Russia, Hamburg, China, Persia, India and Turkey. There were also huge profits to be made in the New World (America, officially discovered in 1492). However there were problems:
Spain controlled the Netherlands, England’s main route to European markets. Antwerp was particularly important to English trade in the Netherlands.
Spain controlled much of the New World where there were valuable, new trading opportunities.
There were valuable new crops such as sugar cane and tobacco, and huge amounts of silver, however, Florida, the Caribbean, Mexico, Panama, Chile and Peru were all claimed by Spain. Spain insisted on a license being bought from them in order to trade. Many English merchants ignored the rules and traded illegally, some times even attacking Spanish ships or ports. These were called privateers, like pirates but they had the support of the government. This greatly angers Philip II in Spain.
Foreign Policy Aims:
Developing and improving trade to benefit England’s economy.
Protecting England’s borders.
Protecting the English throne.
Avoiding war, which would cost a lot of money and could lead to Elizabeth losing the throne if any rebels supported the enemy.

13. Much of what he did could be considered as piracy
Much of what he did could be considered as piracy. For example, in he captured numerous Spanish ships and seized their cargo. In 1672 Elizabeth made him a privateer and he captured £ of Spanish silver.
An English merchant who made his name and fortune trading in the New World. He made huge sums of money for people who invested in his voyages, including Elizabeth.
This was risky for Elizabeth as it could have provoked further conflict with Spain. This was only avoided on Drake’s return in 1573 because Elizabeth and Philip were actively trying to improve relations, and so Elizabeth did not publicly welcome Drake home.
Sir Francis Drake
In November 1577 Drake set off again, this time with secret orders from Elizabeth to attack Spanish colonies. Relations were getting worse with Spain and so Elizabeth was trying to get the upper hand by disrupting Spanish trade and at the same time making more money. It also sent a message of defiance to Philip II.
Elizabeth publicly knighted Drake on the deck of the Golden Hind. Philip II was outraged by this public display. He considered Drake a pirate who had stolen £ of Spanish treasure on this journey and conquered parts of North Carolina.
Drake voyage became very famous because his actual route home led him to circumnavigate (travel all the way around) the globe. This was very dangerous and he was only the second person to do it. His ship, the Golden Hind, was the only one of five ships to return.

14. The significance of Drake The international context
Drake’s actions against Spain and her colonies, along with his claim to land in North Carolina, made it clear that England did not accept Spain’s dominance of the New World.
Drake’s circumnavigation gave England a national hero and gave a statement to the rest of the world about England’s seafaring strength.
Drake boosted the crown’s finances at a time when Spain was a growing threat to England.
Elizabeth’s public knighting of Drake also sent a powerful message to Spain.
The international context
In the 1500s, most major European powers were rivals. They would make alliances with other nations when it was beneficial and break alliances when they were no longer useful.
Religious tensions across all of Europe were making these more difficult, and affecting foreign policy. For example, Spain and England had traditionally been allies. England’s conversion to Protestantism strained this relationship.
England was not as wealthy or power as Spain nor France. Luckily, Spain and France competed to be the strongest European power and Elizabeth used this rivalry to her advantage. Both countries used England as an ally against the other.
France wanted to be allied with England as it was nearly completely surrounded by Spanish territory.
Spain wanted to be allied with England so that the English fleet could protect it’s ships sailing to the Netherlands.
However, from 1567, these Spanish ships were sailing with troops and resources to help the Duke of Alba stamp out Protestantism in the Netherlands. This alarmed Elizabeth. Would England be next? Her Privy Council urged her to help the Dutch Protestants.

15. Elizabeth and the Spanish Netherlands
Elizabeth was reluctant to help the Dutch rebels because:
If she seemed to agree that it was okay for people to rebel against their monarch, Catholics in England might think it was okay to rebel against her, especially if Philip supported them.
If Philip invaded, he would have the backing of the Pope which would encourage English Catholics.
The Pope’s backing would mean that France might side with Spain.
This would be costly and England’s finances were not as strong as Spain’s.
Instead, she chose to help them indirectly by applying pressure to Spain to return the Netherlands to how they had been governed under an agreement from 1548, giving the Dutch autonomy (the right to self government). Philip had challenged this which sparked the initial revolt in 1566.
She did this in several ways:
She unofficially encouraged the Dutch to resist the Spanish.
By allowing Spanish shipping and colonies to come under attack from English privateers.
By pursuing friendly relations with France.
By encouraging others to fight the Spanish in the Netherlands.
In the 1570s, Elizabeth offered the promise of a marriage to the heir to the French throne, the Duke of Alencon. She was hoping to frighten Philip of Spain in to giving their independence back. When it didn’t, she used her influence to encourage the Duke to fight the Spanish in the Netherlands. This was a risky strategy because, if the French became too powerful, they might take control of the Netherlands.

16. The Spanish Fury and the Pacification of Ghent, 1576:
By 1576, the Spanish government in the Netherlands was bankrupt because the cost of war was too great. The Spanish forces finally mutinied after months without pay, rampaging and sacking (robbing a town using violence) Antwerp in November This was known as The Spanish Fury.
The Protestant and Catholics, in all 17 provinces, united together against Spain. They drew up the Pacification of Ghent which demanded:
All Spanish troops were expelled.
The restoration of political autonomy.
An end to religious persecution.
Elizabeth sent a loan of £ to help the Dutch rebels, and agreed to send an expeditionary force if necessary.
Philip sent his brother who agreed to all of the terms.
It seemed to Elizabeth like a victory,
Was this a missed opportunity?
Despite Elizabeth’s optimism, 6 months later the Spanish sent a new army to attack the Dutch. Elizabeth hired a mercenary (a soldier who fights for money rather than a country or a cause), John Casimir, and gave him money to raise an army of 6000 English and Scottish volunteers to help the Dutch. This meant she technically remained neutral and was not at war with the Spanish. However, this plan backfired when the mercenaries attacked Catholic Churches. This made Dutch Catholics make peace with Spain.
Privy Councillors usrged Elizabeth to take direct action. In 1578, it looked as though the Dutch could actually win, if Elizabeth helped. An independent, Protestant Netherlands would be a great ally for England.
However, Elizabeth hesitated and the Dutch asked the French Duke of Alencon instead. He came with the agreed army, but by 1579, things were worse. Philip of Spain had sent in the Duke of Parma to lead the Spanish army. He was an excellent commander and soon the Spanish were in control again.

17. 1580
1581
1582
1583
1584
1585
The Privy Council start to discuss direct action in the Netherlands.
Whilst they are still discussing, the French Catholic League sign the Treaty of Joinville with Philip to secure his help against French Protestants.
The Duke of Alencon came to England in October. Elizabeth agreed to give him £ for support in the Netherlands.
The Duke of Alencon returned to the Netherlands but failed again.
The French King signed up to the French Catholic League’s aim of ridding France of Heresy. This effectively made France and Spain allies against Protestantism.
The Duke of Alencon dies and the Protestant Rebel Leader in the Netherlands, William of Orange, was assassinated.
The Spanish gained Portugal along with it’s empire and naval forces. This brought new strength and wealth.
The Duke of Alencon returned to France.

18. War with Spain,
Elizabeth could not longer avoid direct action. In June 1585, Dutch Portestants offered her sovereignty of the Netherlands. She refused as this would have meant deposing Philip of Spain, an anointed monarch. Instead, she signed the Treaty of Nonsuch with the Protestants, effectively putting England and Spain at war.
England financed 7400 English troops who would work with the rebels’ government. She chose her long-term favourite, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester to lead them.
She also ordered Drake to interrupt Spanish shipping and raid colonies. This didn’t achieve much but it really angered Philip, who vowed to invade England by the end of 1585.
Elizabeth was still hoping to negotiate with Spain and so still did not really take the support seriously and frequently failed to take the initiative; she didn’t give Leicester enough men, money or supplies.
In January 1586, Leicester accepted the title of Governor General of the Netherlands. Elizabeth was furious as it looked as though she was deposing Philip II.
In the summer of 1586, the English forces only managed to slow down the Duke of Parma’s troops, however they did managed to capture some forts around the town of Zutphen.
In January 1587, one of the key forts was lost when an English captain and an English governor went over to the Spanish side. This lost a lot of the Dutch’s trust.
Leicester was called back in 1586 but returned in He still didn’t have enough money, supplies or men, but managed to stop the Duke of Parma taking deep-water port, Ostend.
He was called back to England for good in winter 1587.

19. Reasons for lack of success, 1585-87
Leicester and Elizabeth had different aims. He wanted to free the Netherlands from the Spanish. She wanted to return to how the Netherlands had been governed before 1546.
Elizabeth was never fully behind the rebels. She always hoped to negotiate with Spain and never sent enough troops, money or supplies.
Relations between the English and the Dutch leaders were poor because of Elizabeth’s lack of commitment,.

20. Drake singes the King of Spain’s beard, 1587
In April, Drake sailed into Cadiz harbour and destroyed 30 ships. This delayed the building
of the Armada for a year and bought England time.

21. The Armada Sent for 4 main reasons:
Politics – Treaty of Jonville and Treaty of Nonsuch and England would be a good
addition to Philip’s Empire.
2. Circumstances - Spain acquired Portugal, Duke of Parma was successful in the
Netherlands since 1579 and Elizabeth’s hesitation indicated England’s weaknesses.
3. Provocation – Drake’s action in the New World and Elizabeth’s help for Dutch
rebels.
4. Philip had the backing of the Pope to overthrow Protestant Elizabeth.

22. Reasons for England’s Victory

23. Consequences of English Victory
Confidence around the Globe – England was now seen as a leading seafaring nation and it gave Elizabeth confidence in the New World.
Armada Portrait – Elizabeth commissioned this portrait to show her greatness as a monarch. It was used as a piece of propaganda to display the glory of her reign to date.
Tilbury Speech – Elizabeth rallied her troops before the Armada with this famous speech. I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm.
Spain’s Decline in Fortunes
– The Spanish lost fortune and influence and the defeat of the Armada started a steady decline.