Assignment VIII: Elizabeth I
Below you will find several homework options to choose from. The first 30 points will count as homework and anything over that, up to a total of 60 points, will count as extra credit (but I can't give you credit for more than 60 points total).
Please send your homework to hol.thetudors@gmail.com
The subject line should be "HW 8 - The Tudors"
Don't forget to put your HOL name and House at the top of your email.
This assignment is due no later than May 31st, 11:59 pm HOL time.
True or False (10 points):
If the statement is false, please correct it.
1. Elizabeth loved to go out on royal progresses and be cheered by her subjects.
2. In Elizabeth's court, a person's family background was more important than ability.
3. The last speech Elizabeth gave to Parliament was called the Golden Speech.
4. James VI of Scotland was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, and became James I of England after Elizabeth's death.
5. Elizabeth never got along well with her brother Edward.
Multiple Choice (10 Points):
1. Elizabeth was thought to be very fond of which man?
A. Robert Dudley
B. Phillip II
C. William Cecil
D. Sir George Bowes
2. Which of her father's wives helped to arrange Elizabeth's education?
A. Catherine Howard
B. Catherine Parr
C. Anne of Cleves
D. Jane Seymour
3. What ended Thomas Seymour's flirtation with Elizabeth?
A. His wife sent him away
B. His wife sent Elizabeth away
C. He was executed for treason
D. King Edward VI ordered him to stop
4. What title did Elizabeth give Robert Dudley?
A. Lord Protector
B. Privy Secretary
C. Earl of Leicester
D. Lord High Admiral
5. Why was Elizabeth briefly imprisoned in the Tower of London?
A. She was suspected of being involved in an uprising against Mary's decision to marry Phillip of Spain
B. She was suspected of scheming with Thomas Seymour to make him King
C. Catherine Parr had her arrested out of jealousy
D. She was suspected of having poisoned Edward VI
Short Answer (10 points):
Answer the following in one to three complete sentences.
1. What reasons did Elizabeth give for refusing to marry?
2. Give three reasons why Elizabeth's situation improved when Edward VI became king.
3. Why was Thomas Seymour executed?
4. Why did Elizabeth not want Mary, Queen of Scots, to inherit the English crown?
5. According to a speech she gave Parliament, what did Elizabeth consider the 'glory of her crown'?
Essay/Opinion (10 points each):
1. Now that we've looked at all the Tudor rulers, which one do you think did the best job in leading England? There's no right answer for this, but please do back up your opinion with some of your chosen ruler's good points. Or, if you can't decide, you can instead choose which monarch you would most want to meet and explain why. I'd like at least four to six complete sentences.
2. Henry VIII executed Elizabeth's mother when she was a toddler, but he was still her father. What do you believe her feelings were of Henry? Do you believe she was proud to be his daughter? Upset with him because of her mother's execution? There's no right or wrong answer. I'd like at least four to six complete sentences.
3. There are no recorded examples of Elizabeth ever speaking about her mother, and yet when she died and her courtiers removed from her finger the ruby, diamond, and mother-of pearl ring she always wore, they were stunned to discover the ring was a locket. It contained two portraits: one of Elizabeth and one of another woman. Both women were facing each other, and the second woman bore a striking resemblance to a known portrait of Anne Boleyn. Are you surprised Elizabeth wore a ring such as this? What is your opinion about her never speaking about her mother? How do you believe Elizabeth felt about Anne Boleyn? Once again, there are no right or wrong answers.
Art (30 points):
All the Tudors understood the importance of looking royal as well as being royal. Though Elizabeth often dressed simply in private, when she made any sort of public appearance she went all out. During the last four years of her reign, she averaged spending over £9500 per year on her clothes -- the equivalent of millions of pounds today. (Her successor, James I, would spend even more!) Draw or create an outfit that Elizabeth (or another Tudor queen) might have worn at court or while meeting with an ambassador. These gowns would have been made of luxurious fabrics like velvet and cloth of gold or silver, and would also have been heavily decorated with precious stones and colorful embroidery, so spare no expense! And please, don't copy gowns from existing portraits. (This site has a useful overview of the general styles of Elizabethan gowns: http://www.elizabethancostume.net/overview.html)
Research (30 points each):
1. Despite being cousins -- Mary's grandmother was Margaret, sister of Henry VIII -- Elizabeth and Mary, Queen of Scots never met face to face, mainly because Elizabeth refused to receive her due to the political consequences. Mary had made some serious mistakes, as well as having some very bad luck, but it was something called the Babington Plot that led to her final downfall. Do some research on the plot and write an essay covering the basic details of who was involved and what they hoped to accomplish. Do you think Elizabeth handled the situation well, or not? Would you have gotten involved in the scheme if you were in Mary's place? Minimum 250 words, and please list any sources you use.
2. Phillip of Spain launched the Spanish Armada in 1588, partly because he hoped to start an uprising of English Catholics against Elizabeth. At the time, the failure of the Armada was attributed to Divine Providence, but of course there were plenty of more practical reasons why the invasion failed. Write an essay on the Armada, and be sure to mention at least four things that went wrong with Phillip's plans. Was England really more secure after defeating Spain? Minimum 250 words, and please list any sources you use.