Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 1: Queen, government and religion, 1558–69 - 1 The situation on…
Full specification wording
Option B4: Key topic 1: Queen, government and religion, 1558–69 - 1 The situation on Elizabeth’s accession: Challenges at home and from abroad: financial weaknesses, religious divisions, the French threat.
In 1558, Elizabeth inherited a realm facing severe domestic and foreign crises.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 3
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
In 1558, Elizabeth inherited a realm facing severe domestic and foreign crises. Financially, the Crown was £300,000 in debt due to Mary I's costly wars, forcing Elizabeth to drastically reduce expenditure and avoid new conflicts. Religiously, England was deeply divided between Catholics and Protestants, creating a volatile atmosphere where any new religious settlement risked sparking rebellion. Abroad, the French threat was acute. France was allied with Scotland through the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots, to the French Dauphin, effectively surrounding England. Furthermore, the recent loss of Calais had humiliated England, removing its last continental foothold and leaving Elizabeth highly vulnerable to a coordinated Franco-Scottish invasion.
What earns the marks
- Identify the scale of the financial weakness, noting the £300,000 Crown debt inherited from Mary I.
- Explain how religious divisions between Catholics and Protestants threatened domestic stability and complicated the creation of a new religious settlement.
- Describe the strategic threat posed by the 'Auld Alliance' between France and Scotland, which geographically surrounded England.
- Analyse the impact of the loss of Calais, both as a blow to national prestige and a strategic vulnerability against French invasion.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Blaming Elizabeth for the financial debt.
Put it right: The £300,000 debt was inherited from Mary I's reign, primarily due to her war with France.
Assuming the French threat was only from across the Channel.
Put it right: The presence of French troops in Scotland posed a direct land threat to England's northern border.
Stating that England was entirely Protestant in 1558.
Put it right: The country was deeply divided, with strong Catholic support, especially in the North.
Exam tips
- Memorise the figure of £300,000 to provide specific evidence of the financial weakness Elizabeth inherited.
- Link the French threat directly to Mary, Queen of Scots, to show how foreign policy and dynastic challenges were interconnected.
- When discussing religious divisions, explain that Elizabeth had to find a compromise to avoid civil war or foreign Catholic intervention.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option B4: Key topic 1: Queen, government and religion, 1558–69 - 1 The situation on Elizabeth’s accession: Challenges at home and from abroad: financial weaknesses, religious divisions, the French threat. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the state of the Crown's finances when Elizabeth I became Queen in 1558?
Listen
In 1558, Elizabeth inherited a realm facing severe domestic and foreign crises. Financially, the Crown was £300,000 in debt due to Mary I's costly wars, forcing Elizabeth to drastically reduce expenditure and avoid new conflicts. Religiously, England was deeply divided between Catholics and Protestants, creating a volatile atmosphere where any new religious settlement risked sparking rebellion. Abroad, the French threat was acute. France was allied with Scotland through the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots, to the French Dauphin, effectively surrounding England. Furthermore, the recent loss of Calais had humiliated England, removing its last continental foothold and leaving Elizabeth highly vulnerable to a coordinated Franco-Scottish invasion. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identify the scale of the financial weakness, noting the £300,000 Crown debt inherited from Mary I. Explain how religious divisions between Catholics and Protestants threatened domestic stability and complicated the creation of a new religious settlement. Describe the strategic threat posed by the 'Auld Alliance' between France and Scotland, which geographically surrounded England. Analyse the impact of the loss of Calais, both as a blow to national prestige and a strategic vulnerability against French invasion. Exam tip: Memorise the figure of £300,000 to provide specific evidence of the financial weakness Elizabeth inherited.
See it
Label the diagram
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