H26: Elizabeth's Background and Accession
Elizabeth's early life, education, and the Religious Settlement of 1559 - her "middle way" between Catholicism and Protestantism, and the challenges it faced from both sides.
📖 Elizabeth's Early Life and Education
Key Context: Elizabeth I was born on 7 September 1533 at Greenwich Palace, the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Her path to the throne was far from straightforward - she was declared illegitimate, excluded from the succession, imprisoned in the Tower of London, and survived the dangerous reigns of her half-brother Edward VI and her half-sister Mary I. These experiences shaped her into a cautious, pragmatic, and deeply intelligent ruler.
Key Events in Elizabeth's Early Life
- 1533: Born at Greenwich Palace to Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn
- 1536: Anne Boleyn was executed on 19 May 1536 when Elizabeth was just 2 years old. Elizabeth was declared illegitimate and removed from the line of succession
- 1537: Henry VIII's third wife, Jane Seymour, gave birth to Edward. Elizabeth was placed in Edward's household
- 1544: The Third Act of Succession restored Elizabeth to the line of succession after Edward and any children of Henry's current wife, Catherine Parr
- 1547: Henry VIII died; Edward VI became king at age 9. Elizabeth went to live with Catherine Parr and Thomas Seymour
- 1549: Thomas Seymour's inappropriate behaviour towards the 15-year-old Elizabeth caused scandal. Catherine Parr died in childbirth; Seymour was later executed for treason
- 1554: During Mary I's reign, Elizabeth was implicated in Wyatt's Rebellion and imprisoned in the Tower of London from 18 March to 19 May 1554. She was questioned about her knowledge of the plot but maintained her innocence
- 1558: Mary I died on 17 November 1558. Elizabeth became queen at the age of 25
Elizabeth's Education
Elizabeth received an exceptional humanist education, unusual for a woman of any era:
- Tutored by some of the finest scholars of the age, including Roger Ascham and William Grindal
- She was fluent in Latin, Greek, French, Italian, and Spanish
- She studied rhetoric, philosophy, history, and theology
- She was a skilled musician, playing the lute and virginals
- She translated religious texts from Latin and French into English
- Her education gave her the intellectual confidence to debate with ambassadors and theologians
Example: Elizabeth's Learning
Roger Ascham, Elizabeth's tutor, wrote: "Her mind has no womanly weakness, her perseverance is equal to that of a man, and her memory long keeps what it quickly picks up." By the age of 16, Elizabeth had translated Marguerite de Navarre's "A Godly Medytacyon of the Christen Sowle" from French into English. She later translated Boethius' "Consolation of Philosophy" from Latin and a theological work by Plutarch. This level of scholarship was extraordinary for any 16th-century woman and gave Elizabeth the intellectual tools to navigate the complex politics of her reign.
How Elizabeth's Early Life Shaped Her Rule: The execution of her mother and her own imprisonment in the Tower taught Elizabeth the dangers of political life and the importance of caution. She learned to keep her thoughts private and never reveal her hand prematurely. Her humanist education gave her the confidence and intelligence to rule. The religious turmoil of Edward VI's Protestant reign and Mary I's Catholic restoration convinced her that religious extremism was dangerous - a lesson that directly influenced her Religious Settlement.
👑 The Accession of Elizabeth I (17 November 1558)
The Situation Elizabeth Inherited
When Elizabeth became queen, she faced enormous challenges:
- Religious division: Mary I had violently restored Catholicism, burning nearly 300 Protestant "heretics" at the stake. England was deeply divided between Catholics and Protestants
- Foreign threats: England was at war with France (since 1557) and had lost Calais, its last territory in France, in January 1558. France supported the claim of Mary Queen of Scots to the English throne
- Financial crisis: Mary I had left the Crown deeply in debt - approximately £300,000 in debt (enormous for the period)
- The Succession Question: As a 25-year-old unmarried woman, Elizabeth's legitimacy was questioned by Catholics who considered her illegitimate. Many expected her to marry quickly and hand power to a husband
Elizabeth's Inheritance in 1558:
Religious division + War with France + Crown debt + Questioned legitimacy = A kingdom in crisis
Elizabeth needed to act quickly but carefully to secure her position.
Religious division + War with France + Crown debt + Questioned legitimacy = A kingdom in crisis
Elizabeth needed to act quickly but carefully to secure her position.
The First Days of the Reign
- Elizabeth moved quickly to appoint her key advisors: William Cecil became her Principal Secretary (later Lord Burghley) - he would serve her for 40 years until his death in 1598
- She proclaimed: "I will have here but one mistress and no master" - signalling she would not be dominated by a husband
- She retained some of Mary's councillors to show continuity, while bringing in trusted Protestants
- She immediately began planning the Religious Settlement
⛪ The Religious Settlement of 1559
Elizabeth's most important early decision was the Religious Settlement - her attempt to end the religious turmoil that had torn England apart for 25 years.
The "Middle Way"
Elizabeth's Approach: Elizabeth wanted a moderate settlement that would satisfy most people. She was not a religious extremist - she famously said she had "no desire to make windows into men's souls." Her goal was political stability, not religious purity. The Settlement was designed to be a compromise: Protestant enough to satisfy most English people, but traditional enough to make Catholicism possible in practice.
The Act of Supremacy (1559)
- Made Elizabeth the Supreme Governor of the Church of England (not "Supreme Head" as Henry VIII had been - a concession to those who believed a woman could not be head of the Church)
- All clergy and royal officials had to swear an Oath of Supremacy acknowledging Elizabeth's religious authority
- Repealed Mary I's legislation that had restored papal authority in England
- Eight bishops refused the oath and were removed from their positions; the rest complied
The Act of Uniformity (1559)
- Established a single, uniform form of worship across England
- Restored the Book of Common Prayer (first introduced under Edward VI in 1549 and 1552) in a revised, more moderate form
- Church services were to be in English, not Latin
- Churches were to be plain - ornaments, vestments, and decorations were restricted
- Clergy were permitted to marry (a Protestant practice that Mary I had forbidden)
- However, the wording of the communion service was deliberately ambiguous - it could be interpreted as either Protestant (commemoration) or Catholic (transubstantiation)
| Feature | Catholic Position | Elizabeth's Settlement | Protestant Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head of Church | The Pope | Elizabeth as Supreme Governor | The monarch as Supreme Head |
| Language of services | Latin | English | English |
| Communion | Transubstantiation (bread and wine become body and blood) | Ambiguous wording | Symbolic commemoration |
| Clergy marriage | Forbidden (celibacy) | Permitted | Permitted |
| Church decoration | Elaborate (statues, paintings, vestments) | Restricted but some retained | Plain (no images or decoration) |
| Prayer book | Traditional Latin mass | Revised Book of Common Prayer | Strict Protestant prayer book |
Example: The Vestments Controversy
Elizabeth insisted that clergy wear traditional vestments (special robes) during services, even though many Puritans objected to them as "popish" (too Catholic). In 1566, she issued an order requiring all clergy to conform to the dress code. Thirty-seven London clergy refused and were suspended from their positions. This showed that Elizabeth was willing to enforce conformity even against Protestant opposition - her priority was uniformity, not theological purity.
✝️ Catholic Challenges to the Settlement
Early Catholic Opposition
- Eight bishops refused the Oath of Supremacy and were deprived of their positions in 1559
- Many ordinary Catholics continued to practice their faith privately, hoping Elizabeth would be replaced by Mary Queen of Scots
- The Pope (Pius V) eventually excommunicated Elizabeth in 1570 with the papal bull Regnans in Excelsius, which declared her a heretic and absolved her Catholic subjects of their allegiance to her
- This made Catholicism effectively treasonous - Catholics now had to choose between their faith and their loyalty to the Crown
The Impact of the 1570 Excommunication: Pope Pius V's bull Regnans in Excelsius (25 February 1570) transformed the Catholic challenge from a religious issue into a political one. By absolving Catholics of their allegiance to Elizabeth, the Pope effectively made being Catholic equivalent to being a potential traitor. This forced Elizabeth's government to treat Catholics as a security threat, leading to increasing persecution, fines for recusancy (refusing to attend Church of England services), and the execution of Catholic priests.
📖 Puritan Challenges to the Settlement
Who Were the Puritans?
- Puritans were extreme Protestants who wanted to "purify" the Church of England of all remaining Catholic practices
- They objected to: vestments (too Catholic), the hierarchical structure of bishops, the ambiguous communion service, the retention of some ceremonies, and any form of church decoration
- They wanted a fully Protestant church based strictly on the Bible, with no traditions that could not be found in scripture
- Many Puritans were educated, influential, and had supporters in Parliament
Key Puritan Challenges
- The Vestments Controversy (1566): Puritan clergy refused to wear the required vestments; 37 London ministers were suspended
- Thomas Cartwright (1570): Cambridge professor who argued that the Church should be governed by elders (presbyters) rather than bishops. He was expelled from Cambridge for his views
- The Admonition Controversy (1572): John Field and Thomas Wilcox published "An Admonition to the Parliament," calling for the abolition of bishops and a fully Reformed church. Both were imprisoned
- Prophesyings (1576-77): Puritan ministers held unauthorized meetings for preaching and Bible study. Archbishop Edmund Grindal refused to ban them, and Elizabeth suspended him from his duties for five years
Elizabeth's Response to Puritans: Elizabeth consistently refused to make further reforms. She insisted on conformity to the Settlement and demanded uniformity of worship. She blocked Puritan bills in Parliament, imprisoned Puritan agitators, and insisted on strict enforcement of the Act of Uniformity. She saw Puritanism as a threat to her authority and to the stability of the Church - if everyone could worship as they chose, there would be chaos.
📊 How Successful Was the Religious Settlement?
Successes: The Settlement provided a workable compromise that lasted for Elizabeth's entire reign (45 years). Most English people accepted it, and the vast majority of parish churches conformed. It ended the violent religious oscillation of the previous 25 years (Henry VIII's break from Rome, Edward VI's Protestantism, Mary I's Catholic restoration). It established the Church of England as a distinctive "middle way" between Catholicism and Protestantism.
Limitations: Neither Catholics nor Puritans were fully satisfied. The Catholic excommunication of 1570 made loyalty to Elizabeth incompatible with loyalty to the Pope. Puritans continued to push for further reform throughout the reign. The Settlement was enforced more strictly over time as threats increased. In the long term, the religious tensions it papered over would contribute to the English Civil War (1642-51).
❓ Practice Questions
Q1: Why was Elizabeth's education unusual for a woman of her time? (2 marks)
Q2: Describe two challenges Elizabeth faced when she became queen in November 1558. (4 marks)
Q3: Explain why Elizabeth called her Religious Settlement a "middle way." (4 marks)
Q4: How did both Catholics and Puritans challenge the Religious Settlement? (8 marks)
Q5: "The Religious Settlement of 1559 was Elizabeth's greatest achievement." How far do you agree? (16 marks + 4 SPaG)
Q6: Explain the significance of the 1570 papal excommunication of Elizabeth. (4 marks)
✅ Answers
- Elizabeth's education was unusual because she received a humanist education normally reserved for boys: she was tutored by leading scholars like Roger Ascham, became fluent in Latin, Greek, French, Italian, and Spanish, studied rhetoric, philosophy, and theology, and was skilled in music. Most women of the era received only basic domestic education.
- Two challenges: (1) Religious division - England had swung from Henry VIII's break with Rome to Edward VI's Protestantism to Mary I's Catholic restoration, leaving the country deeply divided; (2) Financial crisis - Mary I left the Crown approximately £300,000 in debt. Other challenges include war with France, loss of Calais, and questions about Elizabeth's legitimacy.
- The Settlement was a "middle way" because it was designed to be a compromise between Catholicism and Protestantism. Elizabeth became "Supreme Governor" (not the more Protestant "Supreme Head"); the communion service used deliberately ambiguous wording that could be interpreted as either Catholic or Protestant; some traditional vestments and ceremonies were retained while services were in English; clergy could marry (Protestant) but churches retained some decoration (Catholic).
- Catholics challenged the Settlement by: refusing the Oath of Supremacy (8 bishops were deprived); continuing to practice Catholicism privately; Pope Pius V excommunicated Elizabeth in 1570, absolving Catholics of their allegiance. Puritans challenged the Settlement by: refusing to wear vestments (37 London ministers suspended 1566); demanding the abolition of bishops; publishing the Admonition to Parliament (1572); holding unauthorized prophesyings. Elizabeth enforced conformity against both groups.
- A balanced answer should discuss: the Religious Settlement (it provided 45 years of relative stability, most people accepted it, it ended the violent religious oscillation of previous reigns); other achievements such as securing the succession (though she never married), dealing with foreign threats (the Armada), financial recovery, and the cultural flourishing of the Elizabethan age. Argue either that the Settlement was her greatest achievement because it solved the most dangerous problem, or that other achievements were equally important.
- The 1570 excommunication was significant because it transformed Catholicism from a religious difference into a political threat. By absolving Catholics of their allegiance to Elizabeth, Pope Pius V made being Catholic equivalent to being a potential traitor. This forced the government to treat Catholics as a security threat, leading to increasing persecution, fines for recusancy, and the execution of Catholic priests. It made compromise between Elizabeth and the Catholic Church impossible.
🎯 Exam Tips
- Always use specific dates: Elizabeth born 1533, accession 17 November 1558, Religious Settlement 1559, excommunication 1570
- Know the difference between the Act of Supremacy (governing the Church) and the Act of Uniformity (governing worship)
- Explain the "middle way" clearly - it's a very common exam question
- For questions about challenges, discuss BOTH Catholic and Puritan opposition
- Remember that "Supreme Governor" was a deliberate compromise - not "Supreme Head"
- Link Elizabeth's early life experiences to her later decisions (caution, pragmatism)
- For 16+4 mark questions, write at least 3-4 developed paragraphs plus a conclusion
📝 Exam Technique
History Exam Tips — Elizabeth's Background and Accession:
1. For Elizabeth's Background and Accession, include specific factual detail: dates, names, events and statistics where relevant
2. For source questions, analyse provenance (who, when, why, audience) before using the content
3. In evaluation questions, discuss multiple factors and weigh their relative significance
4. Always link back to the question focus — don't just narrate what happened with Elizabeth's Background and Accession
5. Use phrases like 'the most significant factor was... because...' to show analytical judgement
1. For Elizabeth's Background and Accession, include specific factual detail: dates, names, events and statistics where relevant
2. For source questions, analyse provenance (who, when, why, audience) before using the content
3. In evaluation questions, discuss multiple factors and weigh their relative significance
4. Always link back to the question focus — don't just narrate what happened with Elizabeth's Background and Accession
5. Use phrases like 'the most significant factor was... because...' to show analytical judgement
⚠️ Common Errors
Watch Out!
Students often think elizabeth solved the religious problem. Wrong: Elizabeth solved the religious problem Correct: The Religious Settlement was a compromise that satisfied neither Puritans nor Catholics. Catholic plots continued throughout her reign.
Students often think the spanish armada was defeated entirely by the english. Wrong: The Spanish Armada was defeated entirely by the English Correct: While English tactics (fire ships) were important, the weather played a crucial role. Many Spanish ships were wrecked by storms.
Students often think elizabethan england was a golden age for everyone. Wrong: Elizabethan England was a golden age for everyone Correct: While the elite prospered, many lived in poverty. Enclosure displaced peasants, harvests failed, and the Poor Laws were often harsh.
✍️ Model Answer
Full-Mark Response
8 marks: Explain why Elizabeth faced religious challenges.
Elizabeth faced religious challenges because her Religious Settlement of 1559 was a compromise that satisfied neither extreme. The Settlement established a "middle way": the Act of Supremacy made Elizabeth Supreme Governor of the Church of England (not Supreme Head, a concession to those who believed a woman could not head the Church), and the Act of Uniformity restored the Book of Common Prayer in English with deliberately ambiguous wording on communion that could be interpreted as either Catholic or Protestant. However, this compromise meant both Catholics and Puritans were dissatisfied.
Puritan opposition was a significant challenge. Puritans were extreme Protestants who wanted to "purify" the Church of all remaining Catholic practices. They objected to vestments (which they called "popish"), the retention of bishops, and the ambiguous communion service. In 1566, Elizabeth ordered all clergy to wear traditional vestments; 37 London ministers refused and were suspended. Thomas Cartwright, a Cambridge professor, argued in 1570 that the Church should be governed by elders rather than bishops, and was expelled. The Admonition Controversy of 1572 saw John Field and Thomas Wilcox imprisoned for publishing a pamphlet calling for the abolition of bishops.
Catholic opposition posed an even greater threat because it had the backing of foreign powers. Eight bishops refused the Oath of Supremacy in 1559 and were removed from their positions. Pope Pius V's excommunication of Elizabeth on 25 February 1570, in the papal bull Regnans in Excelsius, absolved Catholics of their allegiance to her, effectively making Catholicism treasonous. Mary Queen of Scots, Elizabeth's Catholic cousin and next in line to the throne, became the focal point for every Catholic conspiracy. In conclusion, Elizabeth faced religious challenges because her middle way satisfied neither Puritans (who wanted further reform) nor Catholics (who wanted to restore the old faith), and the international dimension of Catholic opposition made it a threat to her throne as well as her church.
📊 AO Deep Dive
Assessment Objective Analysis
AQA History tests three AOs: AO1 (Knowledge, 35%) requires recall of specific facts, dates and details about Elizabeth's Background and Accession; AO2 (Explanation, 35%) requires explaining causes, consequences and changes using detailed knowledge; AO3 (Sources and Interpretations, 30%) requires analysing provenance, content and usefulness of sources, and evaluating different historical interpretations. For grade 9, you need precise knowledge (specific dates, statistics and named individuals), sophisticated explanation showing how factors interrelate, and nuanced source analysis considering purpose, audience and context. The key difference between grade 5 and grade 9 is DETAIL and ANALYSIS — top answers support every point with specific evidence and reach substantiated conclusions.
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