Elizabethan England

Identifying the way in which society in Elizabethan England functioned, the roles expected of individuals according to their social status, how the nation was governed and the powers available to the monarch during this period.

Exploring the question of Elizabeth’s legitimacy and right to rule in England, how the way in which women were viewed during the 16th century shaped people’s attitudes towards her and the importance of her marriage for the future of the monarchy in England.

Discussing the problem of religion during Elizabeth’s early reign, from the English Reformation under her father, Henry VIII, to the growth of Protestantism in Europe and how these new religious ideas fundamentally changed the history of England.

Explaining the ways in which Elizabeth and her council set out to create a ‘via media’ or ‘middle way’ between Catholicism and Protestantism in order to maintain peace and stability and the impact the settlement had upon society during the 16th century.

Exploring the internal challenges Elizabeth faced from among her own subjects when implementing the settlement and the external threats from foreign powers that resulted.

Discussing how the Elizabethan settlement was challenged by foreign powers, and how the Dutch Revolt in the Spanish Netherlands affected relations between England and Spain due to Elizabeth’s support for the Dutch Protestant rebels.

How Mary’s strong claim to the English throne challenged Elizabeth’s authority to rule and how the complicated relationship between the two queens developed over time.

Examining the grievances of the Northern Earls and how they planned to overthrow Elizabeth and restore England as a Catholic nation under the rule of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Explaining how the three major plots against Elizabeth were planned, discovered and foiled, leading to the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots at Fotheringhay Castle.

Exploring the aims of the Babington plot, how the plotters planned to depose Elizabeth and restore Catholicism in England under the rule of Mary Queen of Scots, and how the significance of these events directly led to her execution.

Identifying the aims and priorities of Elizabeth’s foreign policy and economic strategy, including the exploration of trade opportunities in the New World in direct competition with the Spanish Empire and how the actions of Sir Francis Drake significantly boosted the royal treasury.

Exploring the political and religious rivalries between England and Spain, their significance to international relations, and how the Pacification of Ghent and the Spanish Furies led to the direct involvement of English forces in the Spanish Netherlands.

Discussing how despite Elizabeth’s reluctance, England became directly involved in the Spanish Netherlands, how the Earl of Leicester and Sir Francis Drake’s campaigns against Spain led to open war and the consequences of their actions.

Identifying the aims of the Spanish Armada and how the culmination of multiple factors led to the demise of the Spanish fleet, and the beginning of the decline in Spanish influence and dominance in the New World.

Exploring the provision of education in Elizabethan England according to the social class of students and the how the rigid social hierarchy was reinforced by means of expectation according to wealth and status.

Discussing the way in which different social classes and genders spent their free time in Elizabethan England, including the popularity of blood sports, the origins of football and the growth of theatre and literature during the period.

The difficulties faced by the poorest among Elizabethan society and how the way in which they were treated evolved from punishments to support over the course of Elizabeth’s reign.

How expansion of trade, advances in ship design and exploration of the New World under Sir Francis Drake, led England to become one of the finest naval powers of the era.

Examining the importance of Sir Walter Raleigh in organising and establishing the first English colonies in Virginia and the ultimate mystery of the colonist’s fate.