Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 1: Queen, government and religion, 1558–69 - 3 Challenge to the…
Full specification wording
Option B4: Key topic 1: Queen, government and religion, 1558–69 - 3 Challenge to the religious settlement: The nature and extent of the Catholic challenge, including the role of the nobility, Papacy and foreign powers.
The Catholic challenge to Elizabeth’s religious settlement (1558–69) varied in nature and extent.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 2
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The Catholic challenge to Elizabeth’s religious settlement (1558–69) varied in nature and extent. Initially, the Papacy hoped Elizabeth would return to Catholicism, but in 1566, the Pope instructed English Catholics not to attend Anglican services, increasing recusancy. The Catholic nobility, particularly in the House of Lords, initially opposed the settlement. Their discontent culminated in the 1569 Revolt of the Northern Earls, driven by religious grievances and a loss of political influence. Foreign powers posed a looming threat. France was tied to Mary, Queen of Scots, while relations with Catholic Spain deteriorated, especially after the Duke of Alba's army arrived in the Netherlands (1567). However, the extent of the challenge was limited because anticipated foreign military and financial backing for the 1569 rebellion failed to materialise.
What earns the marks
- Explain the role of the Catholic nobility in opposing the settlement, culminating in the 1569 Revolt of the Northern Earls.
- Describe the Papacy's role, specifically the 1566 instruction forbidding Catholics from attending Church of England services.
- Analyse the role of foreign powers, noting the looming threat of France and Spain, and the presence of Alba's army in the Netherlands.
- Evaluate the extent of the challenge by explaining that anticipated foreign military and financial support for domestic rebellion did not materialise during this period.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating the Papal Bull of Excommunication was issued in this period.
Put it right: It was issued in 1570, whereas the key papal intervention before 1569 was the 1566 instruction against attending services.
Overstating foreign support; while Spain and France were Catholic threats, they did not provide actual military or financial backing for the 1569 rebellion.
Ignoring the political motivations of the Catholic nobility.
Put it right: Their 1569 rebellion was driven by a loss of court influence as well as religious zeal.
Exam tips
- Clearly distinguish between the roles of the nobility, the Papacy, and foreign powers when structuring an answer on this topic.
- Emphasise that the extent of the Catholic challenge before 1569 was limited by the lack of direct foreign military intervention.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option B4: Key topic 1: Queen, government and religion, 1558–69 - 3 Challenge to the religious settlement: The nature and extent of the Catholic challenge, including the role of the nobility, Papacy and foreign powers. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which foreign monarch was the most significant potential figurehead for a Catholic rebellion against Elizabeth I in the 1560s?
Listen
The Catholic challenge to Elizabeth’s religious settlement (1558–69) varied in nature and extent. Initially, the Papacy hoped Elizabeth would return to Catholicism, but in 1566, the Pope instructed English Catholics not to attend Anglican services, increasing recusancy. The Catholic nobility, particularly in the House of Lords, initially opposed the settlement. Their discontent culminated in the 1569 Revolt of the Northern Earls, driven by religious grievances and a loss of political influence. Foreign powers posed a looming threat. France was tied to Mary, Queen of Scots, while relations with Catholic Spain deteriorated, especially after the Duke of Alba's army arrived in the Netherlands (1567). However, the extent of the challenge was limited because anticipated foreign military and financial backing for the 1569 rebellion failed to materialise. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain the role of the Catholic nobility in opposing the settlement, culminating in the 1569 Revolt of the Northern Earls. Describe the Papacy's role, specifically the 1566 instruction forbidding Catholics from attending Church of England services. Analyse the role of foreign powers, noting the looming threat of France and Spain, and the presence of Alba's army in the Netherlands. Evaluate the extent of the challenge by explaining that anticipated foreign military and financial support for domestic rebellion did not materialise during this period. Exam tip: Clearly distinguish between the roles of the nobility, the Papacy, and foreign powers when structuring an answer on this topic.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Pope instructed English Catholics not to attend Anglican services
- 2. Revolt of the Northern Earls
- 3. Duke of Alba's army arrived in the Netherlands
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