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Elizabeth I and the Spanish Armada (1588)

Study note

After Mary I came one of the most celebrated monarchs in British history, Elizabeth I. She was the daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife Anne Boleyn. A Protestant, Elizabeth re-established the Church of England as the country's official Church, undoing her sister Mary's Catholic policies.

Elizabeth was a skilful ruler in religious matters. Rather than forcing one extreme on everyone, she found a careful balance between Catholics on one side and stricter Protestants on the other, and so managed to avoid the kind of serious religious conflict seen elsewhere in Europe.

Her popularity soared after a famous event in 1588, the defeat of the Spanish Armada. The Armada was a large fleet of ships sent by Catholic Spain to invade England and to restore the Catholic faith. When the English defeated this fleet, it was seen as a great national triumph. For the test, remember that Elizabeth I was the Protestant daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, and that 1588 was the year of the Armada's defeat.

Memory tip: Elizabeth I = Protestant; 1588 = defeat of the Spanish Armada.

Practise this topic

Question 1 of 5

In which year did the English defeat the Spanish Armada?

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Show all questions and answers for Elizabeth I and the Spanish Armada (1588)(5 questions with explanations)

Elizabeth I and the Spanish Armada (1588): questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. In which year did the English defeat the Spanish Armada?

    • 1485
    • 1603
    • 1588
    • 1666

    Correct answer: 1588

    The Spanish Armada was defeated in 1588 during Elizabeth I's reign.

  2. 2. What was the Spanish Armada?

    • A large fleet of ships sent by Spain to conquer England
    • A trade agreement
    • A type of Spanish coin
    • A Spanish cathedral

    Correct answer: A large fleet of ships sent by Spain to conquer England

    The Spanish Armada was a fleet sent by Spain to invade England and restore Catholicism.

  3. 3. Whose daughter was Elizabeth I?

    • Henry VII and Elizabeth of York
    • Edward VI
    • James I and Anne of Denmark
    • Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn

    Correct answer: Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn

    Elizabeth I was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.

  4. 4. Elizabeth I was a Protestant who re-established the Church of England as the official Church.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. Elizabeth I, a Protestant, re-established the Church of England.

  5. 5. Which of these statements is correct?

    • Elizabeth I was the daughter of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York
    • Elizabeth I was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn

    Correct answer: Elizabeth I was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn

    Elizabeth I was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.

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