Elizabeth and government - OCR B - GCSE History

What time period is the ‘Elizabethans’ classified as?

1580 - 1603

How did Elizabeth’s system of government function?

• Based on close personal relationships and privileges

  • Government through patronage

What was the court?

• Both a place and a system and hierarchy of people, relationships and obligations

• Ran on system of patronage, through which people gained influence and often divided into competing factions

Sir Francis Walsingham

• Gentry from Kent

• Devoutly puritan

• Mastermind of England’s first organised intelligence network - Spymaster

• Respected by Elizabeth, but not personally liked by her

Sir William Cecil

• Lincolnshire gentry

• Hardworking, shared Elizabeth’s aims

Why was Sir William Cecil vital to the success of Elizabeth’s reign?

He was her chief advisor, effectively ran England as Lord treasurer and secretary of state, seen as the power behind the throne.

What was Sir William Cecil’s relationship with Elizabeth?

Profound trust and dependence, served as her chief advisor for nearly 40 years, from her accession to his death in 1598

Robert Devereux

• Earl of Essex

• Very knowledgeable about foreign affairs, ambitious, short tempered, hated the cecil family, young, impulsive

Why did Robert Devereux’s role become increasingly problematic and how did it affect his relationship with Elizabeth?

• He was arrogant, and had poor military judgement as well as disrespect for the Queen and his rivalry with Robert Cecil.

• Eventually his failed rebellion led to his execution for treason in 1601

• He was Elizabeth’s final, flamboyant favourite, but friction grew between them due to his arrogance and disobedience

What was the Privy Chamber?

• For relaxation

• It contained a small group of ladies in waiting

• They kept her majesty informed

• Enjoyment and also conducting royal business

What was the Privy Council?

• For work

• Advised the queen on financial, trade, law enforcement and defence matters

• Group of the Queen’s most trusted advisors

  • Limited to about 19 members with just 7/8 at most meetings

  • Helped to govern the country

• Met nearly every single day

Robert Dudley

• Earl of Leicester

• Her childhood friend

  • Organised court events and was a potential marriage candidate

• Elizabeth kept his final letter beside her bedside for years

• Was appointed Master of the Horse, so gained wealth + land

• Remained in her service and favour for his entire life, from her accession to his death in 1588

When did Elizabeth come to power?

1558

Sir Christopher Halton

• A trusted adviser

• Rumours he was her lover

• Rose from a dancer to lord Chancellor through her favour

• Remained in her service until his death in 1591

Sir Walter Raleigh

• Established Roanoake

• Was a close favourite who was knighted by Elizabeth, and the Queen invested in his privateering against spain

• While he was a favourite for over a decade, this trust and favour faded when he got one of the Queen’s maids of honour, Elizabeth Throckmorton, pregnant

Robert Cecil

• Secretary of state and master of court of wards

• Her affection and trust for him allowed him to continue his dominance into the reign of James I

• He stayed in her favour

What could parliament do that Elizabeth could not?

Grant taxes to the monarch

What was the act of uniformity?

• Stopped the divide between religion

• Forced bishops to serve her rather than the Pope

  • Cemented the fact that she was in charge of England, not the Pope

How many times did Elizabeth call parliament during her reign?

13 times during her 45 year reign

What were the 3 main reasons that parliament was called?

• To help pass acts of parliament (laws passed by both parliament + monarch)

• To approve taxes, which could only be collected if Parliament agreed to them

• Provided Liz with support and advice

What were Elizabeth’s private matters of state?

Her MPs were not allowed to discuss them

• Her personal affairs

• Religion

• Foreign policy

House of lords

• Nearly 100 Lords, bishops and judges had the right to sit there

House of Commons

• About 450 men

• Mostly gentry

• Elected by landowners and wealthy men

• Several privy councillors sat in both houses of parliament

Who could not vote?

Women and people from lower classes

How was Elizabeth’s image spread through society?

Upper class:

• Masquerades

• Drama

• Tournaments

• Literature

Lower class:

• Sermons

• Images

• Printed material

• Festivals

• Plays

What were the 3 puritan demands raised in parliament?

• Abolishing the hierarchy of Bishops

• Banning clerical vestments

• Reforming or replacing the book of common prayer

What were monopolies?

Royal licenses granted by the Queen, giving individuals exclusive rights to produce or sell specific goods, intended to boost the economy and reward courtiers

What were the responsibilities held by Lord Lieutenants?

• Raising and training the local militia

• Enforcing royal policies and maintaining order

• Supervising the justices of peace (JPs)

What were the responsibilities held by JPs (Justices of the Peace)?

• Day to day law and order

• Tax collection

• Setting wage levels

How did the Elizabethan authorities use propaganda?

• Controlled the Queen’s image

• Staging public events + pageantry

• Published own books and pamphlets

How did the Elizabethan authorities use censorship?

• Censored publications

  • New books had to be licensed and registered

• Censored the theatre

  • State licensing of plays

• Restricted freedom of speech on some sensitive topics