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Edward, Mary, Elizabeth and the first colonies

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Henry VIII's three children each changed England's religion. Under Elizabeth I, the English also began to sail and settle overseas.

A religious rollercoaster

Edward VI (1547 to 1553) made England firmly Protestant, with services in English.
Mary I (1553 to 1558) brought back Catholicism and married Philip of Spain. Nearly 300 Protestants were burned for heresy, so she was later called 'Bloody Mary'.
Elizabeth I (1558 to 1603) made a Religious Settlement in 1559: the Church of England was Protestant, but some Catholic traditions stayed, to keep most people on side.

Threats to Elizabeth

Catholic plots aimed to put Mary, Queen of Scots on the English throne. Mary was executed in 1587.
In 1588 Catholic Spain sent the Spanish Armada to invade England. English fireships, bad weather and storms wrecked it.

The first colonies

English sailors explored the world, traded, and raided Spanish treasure ships.
An early colony at Roanoke in North America failed in the 1580s.
In 1607, after Elizabeth's death, Jamestown in Virginia became the first lasting English settlement in America. The colonists grew tobacco. Settlement had a terrible impact on the Native Americans who already lived there.
In 1620 the Pilgrims sailed on the Mayflower to found Plymouth colony.
Worked example

Why did Elizabeth I choose a 'middle way' in religion?

  1. England had swung between Protestant and Catholic, causing fear and violence.
  2. A Protestant Church with some Catholic traditions could keep most people loyal.
  3. This helped keep peace at home while foreign Catholic powers were a threat.

Answer: To avoid more religious conflict and keep as many subjects loyal as possible.

Key idea

Edward VI: Protestant. Mary I: Catholic, nearly 300 Protestants burned. Elizabeth I: Religious Settlement 1559, middle way. Mary, Queen of Scots executed 1587; Armada defeated 1588. Jamestown (1607) was the first lasting English colony in America.

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