What's covered
Key facts
The Babington Plot of 1586 was a conspiracy to assassinate Elizabeth I in favour of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Philip II of Spain launched the Armada in 1588 to overthrow Protestant Elizabeth and restore Catholicism in England.
William Cecil (Lord Burghley) led Elizabeth I's Privy Council and ran her government as her most trusted minister for decades.
The Armada failed because of storms, English fireships and English ship tactics.
Elizabeth I never married, using marriage as a diplomatic tool and keeping her political independence.
Storms in the North Sea wrecked many Spanish ships during the Armada's retreat around Scotland and Ireland.
Mary, Queen of Scots posed a Catholic threat because Catholic plots aimed to depose Elizabeth and place Mary on the English throne.
Elizabeth's navy defeated the Armada using smaller, faster ships and fireships to break the Spanish formation.
Mary, Queen of Scots was executed in 1587 after being found guilty of plotting against Elizabeth I.
Spain launched the Armada against England in 1588.
Sample questions
A taste of the 30 questions in this topic — answers marked. Sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.
Which 1586 plot to assassinate Elizabeth I in favour of Mary Queen of Scots was uncovered?
- ✓The Babington Plot
- •The Gunpowder Plot
- •The Ridolfi Plot
- •The Throckmorton Plot (1583)
Why did Philip II of Spain launch the Armada in 1588?
- •To capture English trading colonies in India
- •To force Elizabeth I to marry a Spanish prince
- ✓To overthrow Protestant Elizabeth and restore Catholicism
- •To prevent English fishing off the Spanish coast
Why was Mary Queen of Scots executed in 1587?
- •She had attempted to invade England with French troops
- •She had married a Spanish prince without permission
- •She had refused to swear loyalty to the Pope
- ✓She was found guilty of plotting against Elizabeth I
What English tactic at Calais broke the Armada's defensive formation?
- •Blockading the harbour for several months
- •Boarding the lead ship and taking its admiral
- ✓Sending fire ships into the anchored fleet
- •Setting up artillery on shore to bombard them
Which advisory body helped Elizabeth I make day-to-day decisions of government?
- •the House of Lords
- •the Parliament
- ✓the Privy Council
- •the Star Chamber
Which English courtier founded the colony of 'Virginia' in North America in the 1580s?
- •Sir Francis Drake
- •Sir Humphrey Gilbert
- •Sir John Hawkins
- ✓Sir Walter Raleigh
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