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Elizabeth I and the Stuarts

Attach Elizabeth I and James I facts to the right people: Church settlement, Armada, Shakespeare, Drake, Mary Queen of Scots and Ulster.

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What to be able to answer

  • Know why Elizabeth I's reign is linked with religion, Armada, Shakespeare and exploration.
  • Match Mary, Queen of Scots and James VI/I to the correct events.
  • Recognise King James Bible and Ulster plantations as James I facts.

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The golden age, Shakespeare, exploration and the union of crowns

Topic 7 of 14
Spanish Armada ships in a naval battle scene
The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588

Elizabeth I was a Protestant. She re-established the Church of England as the official Church. Everyone had to attend their local church and there were laws about religious services and prayers, but Elizabeth did not ask about people's real beliefs. She succeeded in finding a balance between the views of Catholics and the more extreme Protestants, avoiding serious religious conflict within England.

Elizabeth became one of the most popular monarchs in English history, particularly after 1588, when the English defeated the Spanish Armada — a large fleet of ships sent by Spain to conquer England and restore Catholicism.

Elizabeth I and James I: what to attach

The page moves from religion and the Armada to Shakespeare, Drake, Mary and Ulster.

  1. Religion

    Elizabeth's settlement

    She re-established the Church of England and avoided serious conflict within England.

  2. 1588

    Spanish Armada

    England defeated the fleet sent by Spain to conquer England and restore Catholicism.

  3. 1564-1616

    Shakespeare

    Born in Stratford-upon-Avon; plays include Hamlet, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet.

  4. Golden Hind

    Francis Drake

    Helped defeat the Armada and was one of the first to circumnavigate the world.

  5. 20 years

    Mary, Queen of Scots

    Catholic queen imprisoned by Elizabeth, then executed for plotting against her.

  6. 1603

    James VI and I

    United the crowns, commissioned the King James Bible and oversaw Ulster plantations.

Shakespeare's Globe theatre in London
The Globe Theatre is a modern copy of the theatres where Shakespeare's plays were first performed. Credit: ChrisO, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Do not mix up

James VI of Scotland became James I of England in 1603.
Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned for 20 years before execution.
The Civil War begins later, under Charles I.

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