Key term
Edexcel GCSE History 1HI0
Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88British depth
Topic overviewAnglo-Saxon government, economy and societyThe last years of Edward the Confessor and the succession crisisThe rival claimants for the throneThe Norman invasion, 1060–66Establishing control, 1066–87Anglo-Saxon resistance, 1068–71The legacy of resistance to 1087Revolt of the Earls, 1075The feudal system and the ChurchNorman government, 1066–88The Norman aristocracy, 1066–88William I and the succession
British America, 1713–83: Empire and RevolutionPeriod study
Topic overviewDevelopments in colonial societySlavery in North AmericaProblems within the coloniesThe impact of cultural developmentsWar in the coloniesThe aftermath of the French and Indian warAmerican colonist relations with Britain: growing opposition, 1765-75The War of Independence 1775-83Consequences of the war in America
Conflict in the Middle East, 1945–95Period study
Crime and Punishment in Britain, c1000–presentPaper 1 option
Topic overviewFactors driving change in crime and punishment, c1000–presentNature and changing definitions of criminal activity, c1000–c1500The nature of law enforcement and punishment, c1000–c1500Case study: the Church, sanctuary and trial by ordealNature and changing definitions of criminal activity, c1500–c1700The nature of law enforcement and punishment, c1500–c1700Case studies: the Gunpowder Plot and Matthew HopkinsNature and changing definitions of criminal activity, c1700–c1900The nature of law enforcement and punishment, c1700–c1900Case studies: Pentonville prison and Robert PeelNature and changing definitions of criminal activity, c1900–presentThe nature of law enforcement and punishment, c1900–presentCase studies: conscientious objectors and Derek Bentley
Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88British depth
Topic overviewThe situation on Elizabeth’s accessionThe ‘settlement’ of religionChallenge to the religious settlementThe problem of Mary, Queen of ScotsPlots and revolts at homeRelations with Spain, 1569–88Outbreak of war with Spain, 1585–88The Armada, 1588Education and leisure, 1558–88The ‘problem’ of the poorExploration and voyages of discoveryAttempted colonisation of Virginia
Henry VIII and His Ministers, 1509–40British depth
Topic overviewHenry VIII, Renaissance PrinceThe rise of Wolsey and his policiesWolsey’s foreign policy, 1509–29Wolsey, Catherine, the succession and annulmentCromwell’s rise to power, 1529–34The king’s marriages, 1529–40Cromwell and government, 1534–40The fall of CromwellThe break with RomeOpposition to, and impact of, Reformation, 1534–40The dissolution of the monasteriesThe Pilgrimage of Grace, 1536
London and the Second World War, 1939–45Paper 1 option
Mao’s China, 1945–76Modern depth
Topic overviewThe Civil War, 1945–49Communist rule, 1945–59Consolidating the CCP’s hold on power, 1951–52The Hundred Flowers campaign, 1956–57Early changes in agriculture, 1949–57Industry and the Five-Year Plan, 1953–57The Great Leap ForwardEconomic reform, 1962–65Reasons for the Cultural RevolutionThe Red Guards and the Red TerrorThe effects of the Cultural RevolutionThe end of the Cultural Revolution, 1968–76Communist control, 1949–76Family life and the role of womenEducation and health, 1949–76Cultural change, 1949–76
Medicine in Britain, c1250–presentPaper 1 option
Topic overviewFactors driving change in medicine, c1250–presentIdeas about the cause of disease and illness, c1250–c1500Approaches to prevention and treatment, c1250–c1500Case study: the Black Death, 1348–49Ideas about the cause of disease and illness, c1500–c1700Approaches to prevention and treatment, c1500–c1700Case studies: William Harvey and the Great Plague of 1665Ideas about the cause of disease and illness, c1700–c1900Approaches to prevention and treatment, c1700–c1900Case studies: Jenner’s vaccination and the 1854 cholera outbreakIdeas about the cause of disease and illness, c1900–presentApproaches to prevention and treatment, c1900–presentCase studies: penicillin and the fight against lung cancer
Migrants in Britain, c800–presentPaper 1 option
Topic overviewFactors driving change in migration to Britain, c800–presentThe context for migration, c800–c1500The experience and impact of migrants, c800–c1500Case study: York under the VikingsThe context for migration, c1500–c1700The experience and impact of migrants, c1500–c1700Case studies: Flemish and Walloon migrants, and the HuguenotsThe context for migration, c1700–c1900The experience and impact of migrants, c1700–c1900Case studies: Liverpool, and Jewish migrants in the East EndThe context for migration, c1900–presentThe experience and impact of migrants, c1900–presentCase studies: Bristol, and Asian migrants in Leicester
Notting Hill, c1948–c1970Paper 1 option
Russia and the Soviet Union, 1917–41Modern depth
Topic overviewThe growth of opposition to the tsar in early 1917The February RevolutionThe Provisional GovernmentThe Bolshevik RevolutionEarly consolidation of power, 1917–18The Civil War, 1918–21Moves towards totalitarianism, 1917–24Economic and social change, 1918–24The struggle for power, 1924–28The use of terror in the 1930sPropaganda and censorship, 1924–41The Cult of StalinAgriculture and collectivisation, 1924–41Changes in industry, 1924–41Life in the Soviet UnionThe position of women and ethnic minorities
Spain and the ‘New World’, c1490–c1555Period study
Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941–91Period study
Topic overviewEarly tension between East and WestThe development of the Cold WarThe Cold War intensifiesIncreased tension between East and WestCold War crises, 1958–70Reaction to crisis, 1958–70Attempts to reduce superpower tensions in the 1970sThe end of détente and the ‘Second Cold War’The collapse of Soviet control of Eastern Europe, 1985-91
The American West, c1835–c1895Period study
Topic overviewIndigenous peoples of the Plains: their beliefs and ways of lifeMigration and early settlementConflict and tension, c1835–c1862The development of settlement in the WestRanching and the cattle industryChanges in the ways of life of Indigenous peoples of the PlainsChanges in farming, the cattle industry and settlementConflict and tension, c1876–c1895Indigenous peoples of the Plains: the destruction of their ways of life
The British Sector of the Western Front, 1914–18: Injuries, Treatment and the TrenchesPaper 1 option
Topic overviewThe British sector of the Western Front and the trench systemConditions requiring medical treatment on the Western FrontMedical treatment on the Western FrontExperiments in surgery and medicine on the Western FrontMedicine in the early twentieth centurySources for a Western Front enquiry
The Reigns of King Richard I and King John, 1189–1216British depth
Topic overviewThe feudal system, 1189–1216Kingship and succession, 1189–1216Royal government and financesEnglish society, 1189–1216The nature of crusadingRichard and the Third CrusadeAftermath of the crusadeRichard, John and the loss of NormandyThe dispute with the PapacyWorsening relations with the baronsMagna Carta and the First Barons’ WarEngland in 1216
The USA, 1954–75: Conflict at Home and AbroadModern depth
Topic overviewThe position of Black Americans in the early 1950sDevelopments in education, 1954–60The Montgomery Bus Boycott and its impact, 1955–60Opposition to the civil rights movementDevelopments, 1960–62Peaceful protests and their impact, 1963–65Malcolm X and Black Power, 1963–70The civil rights movement, 1965–75Reasons for US involvement in the conflict in Vietnam, 1954–63Escalation of the conflict under JohnsonThe nature of the conflict in Vietnam, 1964–68Changes under Nixon, 1969–73Opposition to the warSupport for the warThe peace process and end of the warReasons for the failure of the USA in Vietnam
Warfare and British Society, c1250–presentPaper 1 option
Topic overviewFactors driving change in warfare, c1250–presentThe nature of warfare, c1250–c1500The experience of war, c1250–c1500Case studies: the battles of Falkirk and AgincourtThe nature of warfare, c1500–c1700The experience of war, c1500–c1700Case study: the Battle of Naseby, 1645The nature of warfare, c1700–c1900The experience of war, c1700–c1900Case studies: the battles of Waterloo and BalaclavaThe nature of warfare, c1900–presentThe experience of war, c1900–presentCase studies: the Somme and the Iraq War
Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918–39Modern depth
Topic overviewThe origins of the Republic, 1918–19The early challenges to the Weimar Republic, 1919–23The ‘Golden Years’: recovery of the Republic, 1924–29Changes in society, 1924–29Early development of the Nazi Party, 1920–22The Munich Putsch and the Nazi Party, 1923–28The growth in support for the Nazis, 1929–32How Hitler became Chancellor, 1932–33The creation of a dictatorship, 1933–34The police state, 1933–39Controlling and influencing attitudesOpposition, resistance and conformityNazi policies towards womenNazi policies towards the youngEmployment and living standardsThe persecution of minorities
Whitechapel, c1870–c1900: Crime, Policing and the Inner CityPaper 1 option
Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88
- 12 subtopics
- 36 things to know
- Paper 2 booklet B
- Paper 2, one British depth study of four
What Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88 covers
Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88 is examined in Paper 2, Period study and British depth study. It covers the situation on Elizabeth’s accession, the ‘settlement’ of religion, challenge to the religious settlement, the problem of Mary, Queen of Scots, plots and revolts at home, relations with Spain, 1569–88, outbreak of war with Spain, 1585–88, the Armada, 1588, education and leisure, 1558–88, the ‘problem’ of the poor, exploration and voyages of discovery and Attempted colonisation of Virginia.
Where it is assessed
Paper 2 booklet B
British depth study, 20% of the GCSE, one option of four.
Check the Pearson Edexcel specification ↗The 12 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- The situation on Elizabeth’s accessionThe ranks of rural society, the Privy Council, Parliament and Justices of the Peace, doubts about Elizabeth's legitimacy and sex, the marriage question, her strengths, Crown debt, religious division and the French threat.Open →
- The ‘settlement’ of religionThe Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity, the Royal Injunctions, the communion wording, recusancy, what the parish church provided, how the Church reinforced royal authority, visitations and the oath every minister swore.Open →
- Challenge to the religious settlementWhat the Puritans wanted, the vestments and crucifix controversies, how serious the Puritan threat was, Catholic gentry who outwardly conformed and where Catholic loyalty was strongest, the papal bull of 1570 and its effect, the fear of Spain and France, and the Council of Trent.Open →
- The problem of Mary, Queen of ScotsMary's descent from Margaret Tudor, why Catholics saw her as rightful queen, her French marriage, her flight into England in 1568, Elizabeth's three choices and the conference of 1568–69.Open →
- Plots and revolts at homeThe rising of the northern earls in 1569–70 and its aftermath, the Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington plots, Walsingham's network, the evidence against Mary and her execution in 1587.Open →
- Relations with Spain, 1569–88Religion and trade as sources of friction with Philip II, the Genoese loan, the Netherlands, privateers, Drake at San Juan de Ulúa, and how Philip and Elizabeth each regarded him.Open →
- Outbreak of war with Spain, 1585–88The Dutch revolt and unofficial English help, the Treaty of Nonsuch, Robert Dudley in the Netherlands, Drake's raid on Cadiz in 1587 and the loss of the barrel staves.Open →
- The Armada, 1588Philip's invasion plan, Medina Sidonia, the crescent formation, the fireships at Calais, the flight around Scotland, English ship design and gunnery, the flaw in the plan, the weather and rotten supplies.Open →
- Education and leisure, 1558–88Learning at home, petty and grammar schools, why schooling spread, girls of different ranks, noble sports, bear-baiting and cock-fighting, village football, and the new playhouses and their opponents.Open →
- The ‘problem’ of the poorPopulation growth, enclosure, the price rise, the lost charity of the monasteries, failed harvests, deserving and idle poor, fear of vagabonds, the Acts of 1572 and 1576 and softening attitudes.Open →
- Exploration and voyages of discoveryThe galleon, the astrolabe, the log and line, better charts, why merchants wanted new markets, Drake's voyage round the world from 1577 to 1580, its treasure, Nova Albion and its significance.Open →
- Attempted colonisation of VirginiaWalter Raleigh's licence and standing at Court, what the backers hoped for, the privateering base, the naming of Virginia, the Roanoke settlers of 1585, food shortages, hostile relations and the relief ship.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
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Why did Catholics at home and abroad seem such a threat to Elizabeth's government after 1570?
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What did Elizabethan children learn at home, in petty schools and in grammar schools, and why did schooling spread?
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Why did the number of poor people rise so sharply during Elizabeth's reign?
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What did the Throckmorton plot of 1583 propose?
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How was rural society ranked below the monarch in 1558?
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What made Mary, Queen of Scots dangerous even with no army of her own?
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Why did religion set Elizabeth and Philip II against one another?
Who and when
What did Drake do at Cadiz in 1587?
Evaluation
Who commanded the Spanish fleet, and why was that a weakness?
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What was a galleon, and why did it suit long ocean voyages?
Who and when
Who was Walter Raleigh, and what was his part in the Virginia venture?
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What was the Privy Council and who decided who sat on it?
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Which two Acts of Parliament formed the religious settlement of 1559?
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What kind of Church did Puritans want England to have?
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Why would Elizabeth never name Mary, Queen of Scots as her successor?
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Which two nobles led the rising in the north in 1569–70?
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How had Philip II once been linked to the English throne?
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How did the Cadiz raid set back the invasion?
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What formation did the Spanish adopt as they came up the Channel?
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What did most children learn at home rather than at school?
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How did a growing population drive more people into poverty?
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Why were English merchants pressing for new routes and markets?
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What did the backers of the Virginia colony hope to gain?
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What could Parliament do under Elizabeth, and what could it not?
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What title over the Church did the Act of Supremacy give Elizabeth?
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What was the vestments controversy?
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Why did Mary, Queen of Scots cross into England in 1568?
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What followed the collapse of the Revolt of the Northern Earls?
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Why did overseas trade cause friction between England and Spain?
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Why did Drake's burning of seasoned barrel staves in 1587 matter so much?
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What happened to the Spanish fleet after the fighting off Gravelines?
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What were petty schools?
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What was enclosure, and how did it make people poor?
Numbers
When did Drake sail around the world?
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After whom was Virginia named?
Take Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88 further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Act of Supremacy vs Act of Uniformity
Act of Supremacy: the 1559 law making Elizabeth Supreme Governor of the Church. Act of Uniformity: the 1559 law requiring every church to use the Book of Common Prayer.
Vestments controversy vs Crucifix controversy
Vestments controversy: the 1560s dispute over Puritan ministers refusing the required clothing. Crucifix controversy: the quarrel over keeping crosses in churches, which Elizabeth lost to her bishops.
Ridolfi plot vs Babington plot
Ridolfi plot: the 1571 scheme for a Spanish landing and Mary's marriage to Norfolk. Babington plot: the 1586 conspiracy exposed by letters smuggled in a beer barrel.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
How was rural society ranked below the monarch in 1558?
Model answer
Nobility at the top, then gentry, then yeomen and tenant farmers, and at the bottom landless labourers and the homeless.
- 2
What was the Privy Council and who decided who sat on it?
Model answer
It was the small group of senior advisers who ran government day to day, and Elizabeth chose and dismissed its members herself.
- 3
What could Parliament do under Elizabeth, and what could it not?
Model answer
It could pass laws and grant taxes, but it met only when the Queen summoned it and debated only what she permitted.
- 4
What work did Justices of the Peace do in the counties?
Model answer
They were unpaid local gentry who kept order, tried lesser offences and made sure royal orders were carried out.
- 5
Why did some people question Elizabeth’s right to rule?
Model answer
Her father’s marriage to Anne Boleyn had never been recognised by the Catholic Church, so Catholics regarded her as illegitimate.
- 6
Why did the new Queen’s sex worry many of her subjects?
Model answer
Many believed a woman could not lead an army or govern alone, and the previous reign had done little to change their minds.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88 revision questions
- What does Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88 cover in Edexcel GCSE History?
- 12 subtopics: the situation on elizabeth’s accession, the ‘settlement’ of religion, challenge to the religious settlement, the problem of mary, queen of scots, plots and revolts at home, relations with spain, 1569–88, outbreak of war with spain, 1585–88, the armada, 1588, education and leisure, 1558–88, the ‘problem’ of the poor, exploration and voyages of discovery and attempted colonisation of virginia. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88 organised?
- By the Edexcel 1HI0 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88, on a schedule.
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