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Year 8 - History

Elizabeth I's later years

Elizabeth I: why has Elizabeth been represented so differently?

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn about Elizabeth I's reign before examining some popular depictions of her. They build knowledge about her religious, domestic, and foreign policies before considering why she has been represented so differently.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain why the last years of Elizabeth's reign were more difficult.

Key Notes

  • The growth in importance of the gentry caused a great deal of change in English society.
  • There was a growth in literacy rates and expansion of arts during the Elizabethan 'Golden Age'.
  • Elizabeth faced a lot of factionalism in her government at a time of bad harvests and growing unemployment.
  • Tyrone rebelled against Elizabeth in Ireland.
  • Elizabeth faced a rebellion from the Earl of Essex.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Golden Age: a Golden Age is a time of peace, prosperity and plenty
  • gentry: the gentry are people of good social position, specifically the group below the nobility in position and birth
  • factionalism: factionalism is the splitting of a group into factions, or smaller groups, which have slightly different ideas
  • monopolies: monopolies is the term given to the exclusive control of the supply of products or services

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The Elizabethan period was a 'Golden Age'.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

The growth in importance of the gentry caused a great deal of change in English society. There was a growth in literacy rates and expansion of arts during the Elizabethan 'Golden Age'.

2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'Golden Age'

a Golden Age is a time of peace, prosperity and plenty.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: The Elizabethan period was a 'Golden Age'. Correction: Whilst there were many positives that came about during the Elizabethan era, many people suffered from poverty and starvation.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 8 History guide library.