There was a plot against him by many members of the government and influential figures. His wife, the unloving Catherine, was potentially the leader of this plot against the king.
Elizabeth had a fine education and was naturally brilliant, but not many resources were spent on her because nobody thought that a woman not of pure noble birth would inherit the throne.
Wool was the most used material in the middle ages. It could be produced in great quantity, it was warm, it could be made into thin or thick fabric and took dye more easily than other fabrics.
There were professional spies employed by the kings that were spread everywhere. They didn't have a 007 look to them but they still had a good set of skills.
In the Medieval period, every kingdom was at war, everyone was fighting against everyone and it was just a mess.
As technology developed a lot of things changed.
