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In Course: GCSE History (Edexcel): Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88

GCSE History: Queen, government and religion, 1558–69

This deck covers the situation on Elizabeth's accession in 1558, including societal structure, government, and the challenges she faced regarding her legitimacy, gender, marriage, finances, and foreign threats. It details her 1559 Religious Settlement, the role of the Church of England, and the early challenges from Puritans and Catholics. It concludes by introducing Mary, Queen of Scots, and her claim to the English throne up to 1569.

A dramatic, close-up photograph of a heavy, ornate Tudor crown resting on a worn, dark wooden table in a vast, dimly lit hall. Dramatic shafts of light pierce the gloom from a high, unseen window, illuminating dust motes and highlighting the crown's intricate details, casting long, complex shadows across the polished wood, evoking the immense weight of power and the challenges of an era.

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Deck Contents

32 Cards
Lesson#1
Welcome to this deck on Early Elizabethan England. We'll explore the state of the country when Elizabeth became queen in 1558, the huge problems she faced, and how she tried to solve one of the biggest: religious division. This knowledge is crucial for your GCSE History exam, as it forms the foundation for understanding Elizabeth's entire reign.
Lesson#2
Let's start by looking at Elizabethan society in 1558. It was a strict hierarchy. The monarch was at the top, followed by the nobility, who were major landowners. Below them were the gentry – knights and wealthy gentlemen who helped run local government. The vast majority of the population were yeomen, who owned land, or tenant farmers, who rented it. At the bottom were the landless poor.
Quiz#3
In the Elizabethan social hierarchy, which group consisted of major landowners and sat just below the monarch?

the nobility

Quiz#4
In Elizabethan England, which social group included knights and wealthy gentlemen who often served as Justices of the Peace?

the gentry

Lesson#5
Now for the government. Elizabeth had several key institutions to help her rule. The Royal Court was the centre of political power, made up of nobles and advisors who lived with or near the monarch. The most important part of the government was the Privy Council, a small group of her most trusted ministers who met daily to run the country. Finally, there was Parliament, which could pass laws and, crucially, grant taxes.
Quiz#6
What was the name of Elizabeth I's small group of most trusted ministers who advised her daily?

the Privy Council

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