What you'll learn
The later years of Elizabeth I's reign and its challenges.
Key themes
- Religion: the Protestant settlement and the threat from Catholic plots (e.g. the Babington Plot).
- Mary, Queen of Scots: her execution in 1587.
- The Spanish Armada (1588): causes, events and why England won.
- Exploration: Drake's circumnavigation and voyages.
- Society: rising poverty and the Poor Laws; the golden age of the theatre (Shakespeare).
Exam tips
- Support judgements with precise dates and names.
- For 'how far' questions, weigh factors against each other.
Common mistakes
- Vague answers without evidence.
- Confusing the causes and consequences of the Armada.