Early Elizabethan England from 1558-88 was a period of massive... Show more
SociologySign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
0
0
G
G Wagon
05/12/2025
History
History notes
92
•
5 Dec 2025
•
GCSE History Notes: Elizabethan England
G
G Wagon
@agon_zgbf
Queen, Government and Religion, 1558-69
Picture inheriting a country that's broke, divided by religion, and surrounded by enemies who think you shouldn't even be queen. That's exactly what Elizabeth I faced when she took the throne in 1558, and somehow she made it work.
Elizabethan society was structured like a ladder you couldn't climb. In the countryside, nobility sat at the top, followed by gentry, yeomen, tenant farmers, and finally the landless poor at the bottom. Towns had a similar setup with merchants ruling over professionals, business owners, craftsmen, and unemployed workers.
Elizabeth's biggest headache was religion. Catholics wanted the Pope in charge, fancy Latin services, and decorated churches. Protestants preferred English services and plain churches, while Puritans took this even further with super-strict beliefs. Her brilliant solution was the Religious Settlement of 1559 - a compromise that kept most people happy by making her head of the English church but allowing some Catholic traditions.
Mary, Queen of Scots became Elizabeth's nightmare houseguest in 1568. As Elizabeth's Catholic cousin with a strong claim to the throne, Mary attracted every Catholic plot like a magnet. This led to the Revolt of the Northern Earls in 1569-70, when northern nobles tried to put Mary on the throne and make England Catholic again.
Remember: Elizabeth's religious settlement worked because it was flexible enough for most people to accept, even if they weren't completely happy with it.
Challenges at Home and Abroad, Plus the Age of Exploration
The 1570s and 80s were like a deadly game of chess between Elizabeth and her enemies. Catholic plots kept popping up - the Ridolfi Plot (1571), Throckmorton Plot (1583), and finally the Babington Plot (1586) that sealed Mary's fate. Each time, Elizabeth's spymaster Francis Walsingham caught the plotters using his network of spies and clever code-breaking.
Spain became England's biggest enemy for three reasons: religious rivalry (Catholic vs Protestant), political interference, and most importantly, money. English privateers like Francis Drake were basically legal pirates, stealing Spanish treasure ships and making Philip II absolutely furious. When Elizabeth knighted Drake after he pinched £400,000 worth of Spanish gold, it was like declaring war with a smile.
The Spanish Armada of 1588 was Philip's revenge - 130 ships carrying 27,000 soldiers to invade England. But English ships were faster and better armed, storms wrecked the Spanish fleet, and poor planning meant the invasion never stood a chance. The victory made Elizabeth a legend across Europe.
Meanwhile, poverty was exploding due to population growth, bad harvests, and enclosure pushing farmers off their land. Elizabeth's government tried to help the 'deserving poor' while punishing 'idle' vagrants, but the problem kept growing.
The age also sparked incredible exploration. Drake sailed around the world, making England look brilliant but annoying Spain even more. The Virginia colony failed spectacularly due to poor planning, attacks from Native Americans, and terrible timing, but it showed England was ready to compete globally.
Key Point: The defeat of the Spanish Armada wasn't just military victory - it marked England's emergence as a major European power and boosted Protestant confidence across the continent.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Most popular content: Anne Boleyn
Most popular content in History
Most popular content
English - inspector calls quotes and analysis
Quotes from every main character
English Literature10
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
GCSE History Notes: Elizabethan England
G
G Wagon
@agon_zgbf
Early Elizabethan England from 1558-88 was a period of massive challenges and exciting exploration. When Elizabeth became queen at just 25, she faced religious divisions, foreign threats, and financial problems that could have destroyed England - but instead, she turned... Show more
Queen, Government and Religion, 1558-69
Picture inheriting a country that's broke, divided by religion, and surrounded by enemies who think you shouldn't even be queen. That's exactly what Elizabeth I faced when she took the throne in 1558, and somehow she made it work.
Elizabethan society was structured like a ladder you couldn't climb. In the countryside, nobility sat at the top, followed by gentry, yeomen, tenant farmers, and finally the landless poor at the bottom. Towns had a similar setup with merchants ruling over professionals, business owners, craftsmen, and unemployed workers.
Elizabeth's biggest headache was religion. Catholics wanted the Pope in charge, fancy Latin services, and decorated churches. Protestants preferred English services and plain churches, while Puritans took this even further with super-strict beliefs. Her brilliant solution was the Religious Settlement of 1559 - a compromise that kept most people happy by making her head of the English church but allowing some Catholic traditions.
Mary, Queen of Scots became Elizabeth's nightmare houseguest in 1568. As Elizabeth's Catholic cousin with a strong claim to the throne, Mary attracted every Catholic plot like a magnet. This led to the Revolt of the Northern Earls in 1569-70, when northern nobles tried to put Mary on the throne and make England Catholic again.
Remember: Elizabeth's religious settlement worked because it was flexible enough for most people to accept, even if they weren't completely happy with it.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Challenges at Home and Abroad, Plus the Age of Exploration
The 1570s and 80s were like a deadly game of chess between Elizabeth and her enemies. Catholic plots kept popping up - the Ridolfi Plot (1571), Throckmorton Plot (1583), and finally the Babington Plot (1586) that sealed Mary's fate. Each time, Elizabeth's spymaster Francis Walsingham caught the plotters using his network of spies and clever code-breaking.
Spain became England's biggest enemy for three reasons: religious rivalry (Catholic vs Protestant), political interference, and most importantly, money. English privateers like Francis Drake were basically legal pirates, stealing Spanish treasure ships and making Philip II absolutely furious. When Elizabeth knighted Drake after he pinched £400,000 worth of Spanish gold, it was like declaring war with a smile.
The Spanish Armada of 1588 was Philip's revenge - 130 ships carrying 27,000 soldiers to invade England. But English ships were faster and better armed, storms wrecked the Spanish fleet, and poor planning meant the invasion never stood a chance. The victory made Elizabeth a legend across Europe.
Meanwhile, poverty was exploding due to population growth, bad harvests, and enclosure pushing farmers off their land. Elizabeth's government tried to help the 'deserving poor' while punishing 'idle' vagrants, but the problem kept growing.
The age also sparked incredible exploration. Drake sailed around the world, making England look brilliant but annoying Spain even more. The Virginia colony failed spectacularly due to poor planning, attacks from Native Americans, and terrible timing, but it showed England was ready to compete globally.
Key Point: The defeat of the Spanish Armada wasn't just military victory - it marked England's emergence as a major European power and boosted Protestant confidence across the continent.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
0
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay
Most popular content: Anne Boleyn
Most popular content in History
Most popular content
English - inspector calls quotes and analysis
Quotes from every main character
English Literature10
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user