Elizabethan England - Goverment (Edexcel GCSE History)

What is the 'royal prerogative'?

Areas where parliament had NO power — e.g. foreign policy, the Queen's marriage, and line of succession

How did Elizabeth maintain loyalty among nobles?

Through patronage — granting political positions, wealth, and prestige to favourites; stripping privileges if they fell out of favour

What were Royal Progresses?

Annual summer tours where Elizabeth travelled through noble households to stay visible to her subjects and strengthen loyalty

Why did Elizabeth rely on staying in noble households during Progresses?

To manage the struggling economy — rather than building her own palaces, she used inherited royal residences and noble hosts

What regions did Elizabeth's Progresses mostly cover?

The Southeast, the Midlands, and East Anglia

Why was hosting Elizabeth on a Progress a 'mixed blessing'?

It was a great honour but extremely costly — nobles spent heavily on renovations, feasts, and entertainment, sometimes going into debt or bankruptcy

How large was the Royal Court?

Around 1,000 people — nobles, advisors, and servants — travelling with the Queen

How many members were on Elizabeth's first Privy Council?

19 members

How did Elizabeth choose her first Privy Council?

Half were kept from Mary I's Catholic-influenced council (for experience/stability); half were new members chosen for loyalty and political skill

What did the Privy Council advise on?

Foreign policy, domestic issues, threats to the crown, war, and relations with other countries

Did Elizabeth attend all Privy Council meetings?

No — she had notes taken to stay informed instead

How many parliamentary sessions did Elizabeth call in her 45-year reign?

Only 13 sessions, each lasting about three weeks

What were Parliament's two houses?

The House of Lords (~90 nobles and bishops) and the House of Commons (450 elected MPs)

Who sat in the House of Commons?

Primarily educated gentry, wealthy merchants, and skilled lawyers — two knights per county and two burgesses per borough

Could Elizabeth veto Acts of Parliament?

Yes — she had the authority to veto any Act of Parliament

Were there political parties in Elizabethan Parliament?

No — MPs formed alliances based on specific interests or regional ties, not parties

Who were Lords Lieutenants?

Nobles appointed by the monarch to enforce the Queen's authority and manage local defence in each county

What were Lords Lieutenants responsible for militarily?

Organising the local militia — raising, arming, and training ordinary men in case of invasion

Who were Justices of the Peace (JPs)?

Wealthy landowners who enforced laws, handled minor crimes, and settled local disputes — an unpaid but high-status role

Who did JPs report to?

Directly to the Privy Council

What role did William Cecil hold from the start of Elizabeth's reign?

Secretary of State — her most trusted Privy Council member, guiding domestic affairs and foreign policy

What was Cecil promoted to in 1573?

Lord Burghley

Who succeeded Cecil as Secretary of State in 1573?

Sir Francis Walsingham

What was Walsingham's nickname and role?

Elizabeth's 'spymaster' — he ran a spy network to uncover plots against the Queen

Which famous plot did Walsingham uncover?

The Babington Plot, which led to the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots

Who was Robert Dudley?

Earl of Leicester — a close personal friend and trusted advisor to Elizabeth, with rumours of a romantic connection; supported Protestant cause in the Netherlands

Did Robert Dudley hold a formal government position?

No — unlike Cecil or Walsingham, he held no formal role but was a key confidant