Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I is a colourful monarch. Her reign has been referred to by some as a ‘golden age’ but more recently this has been challenged and Elizabeth’s control over her country has been questioned.

Elizabeth believed that God had appointed her and she in turn appointed men to help her govern the country. She did face rebellions but remained in power until her death.

Elizabeth had tried to adopt a ‘middle way’ between Catholics and Puritans but the arrival of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1568 provided a focus for Catholic plots.

There were three groups of people in Elizabethan England, rich, middling and poor. The problem of poverty had worsened by the end of the reign.

Elizabeth's reign has been called a cultural 'golden age'; she certainly supported the rise of art, music and theatre, but not everyone saw the changes and nor was everyone happy about it.

Elizabeth's reign was a time of discovery as English ships travelled the world, exploring and trading. Under Elizabeth, England became a great naval power, and sowed the seeds of the British Empire.

In your History GCSE, it is important that you not only have good subject knowledge, but have the skills to apply this knowledge to exam questions.