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According to the BBC Bitesize website, it was the Puritans who posed the ‘greatest threat’ to Elizabeth within Parliament and the Court between 1580 and 1603 - OCR - GCSE History (OCR B Schools History Project) - Question 4 - 2022 - Paper 1
Question 4
According to the BBC Bitesize website, it was the Puritans who posed the ‘greatest threat’ to Elizabeth within Parliament and the Court between 1580 and 1603. How f... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:According to the BBC Bitesize website, it was the Puritans who posed the ‘greatest threat’ to Elizabeth within Parliament and the Court between 1580 and 1603 - OCR - GCSE History (OCR B Schools History Project) - Question 4 - 2022 - Paper 1
Step 1
Evaluate the perceived threats from the Puritans
Answer
The Puritans were a significant faction within Parliament during Elizabeth's reign, advocating for a more radical Protestantism that threatened the religious settlement. Their persistent demands for reform, especially regarding the Book of Common Prayer and the structure of church governance, often put them at odds with Elizabeth and her officials. The growing influence of Puritan leaders, such as Peter Wentworth, who called for more freedoms, highlights their role in challenging the established religious and political order. Their ability to mobilize support poses a notable threat to Elizabeth’s authority, particularly in a Parliament that could disrupt legislative processes.
Step 2
Consider other factions in Parliament and the Court
Answer
While the Puritans represented a crucial threat, other factions within Parliament and the Court also posed significant challenges. For instance, figures such as the Earl of Leicester had political agendas that at times conflicted with Elizabeth’s. The issue of marriage also presented a danger, as various factions pushed for Elizabeth to marry, suggesting that her single status was a liability for the stability of the realm. Moreover, tensions arising from Catholic plots from figures like Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, also created instability, indicating that the threat from within Parliament and the Court was multi-faceted.
Step 3
Analyze the impact of external threats
Answer
It is essential to acknowledge external threats, such as the Spanish Armada and increasing Catholic agitation, which, while outside of Parliament, impacted the atmosphere within it. These external pressures often led to heightened fears and polarized opinions among various factions in Parliament, including the Puritans and moderates. The necessity to combat Spain fostered unity among some groups while exacerbating divides among others, complicating Elizabeth's governance further. Thus, one cannot solely attribute the greatest threat to the Puritans without recognizing these broader contexts.
Step 4
Conclusion
Answer
In conclusion, while the Puritans did indeed pose a significant threat to Elizabeth from within Parliament and the Court, particularly through their persistent calls for reform and challenges to her authority, it is important to consider other influential factions and the backdrop of external threats. The complexity of the political landscape during Elizabeth’s reign illustrates that multiple factors contributed to the challenges she faced, making it difficult to assert that the Puritans alone were the greatest threat.