Elizabeth

bess's

Elizabeth's family background

-daughter to Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn

-Anne was executed by Henry for treason

-she had an older sister Mary (daughter to Catherine of Aragon) and a younger brother Edward VI (son to Jane Seymour)

-Henry was disappointed that Elizabeth was a girl, when Edward was born he got the son he had always wanted

what was the order of succession?

Edward VI (protestant), Mary I (catholic), Elizabeth I (protestant)

what happened to Elizabeth during Mary's reign?

Mary was paranoid about threats and rebellions and had Elizabeth imprisoned

-Elizabeth had time to grow as a future leader

-She saw her sister Mary's mistakes and thought in a political way

what was Parliament?

-House of Lords (lords and bishops)

-House of Commons ('common people', still wealthy and educated)

-influenced tax and passing laws

-Elizabeth decided when to call Parliament and how

much of their advice she should listen to

what were Justices of the Peace?

-selected from the local gentry (a high social class just below the nobility)

-kept order in every county, their main role was enforcing laws, but they could send people to prison

what were Lord lieutenants?

-appointed by the queen to administer areas of the

country by settling disputes and collecting taxes

-could raise a militia if needed

-this position could lead to being a privy councillor

what was the royal court?

-made up of government officials, ladies-in-waiting, servants and advisors

-It was the centre of political power but also the source of trends and fashion

-Privy councillors were apart of it, JP's weren't

how could the queen ensure loyalty?

patronage - giving titles, power or other rewards in order to gain support

how did the Privy Council provide important advice?

-advised the Queen on important issues such as religion, and foreign policy

-Elizabeth chose councillors who had different views on key issues. This helped her make balanced decisions

what jobs did the Privy council carry out?

-Organised the work of JPs.

-The Lord Treasurer was responsible for Elizabeth's finances and spending

-The Lord High Admiral commanded England's Navy

-The Lord Chamberlain ran the royal household

-used propaganda to create a positive image of the queen

how did the Privy council protect the queen?

using spies to uncover plots against her and helping her crush rebellions. They also organised England's

defence

role of the Secretary of State

-in most regular contact with the Queen

-All letters passed through the Secretary of State first

-The Secretary of State was also expected to deal with any day-to-day problems that arose.

how did the Privy council control parliament?

they decided what could be debated and made speeches to support or explain the Queen's policies.

how did Elizabeth control the Privy council?

-delay: she was cautious and refused to be rushed into decisions

-Small team: while Mary had 50, Elizabeth had 19

-Written records: she used these to question counsellors or catch them out.

-Careful selection: she took care not to offend powerful nobles

-Divide and rule: she deliberately chose counsellors with different viewpoints

-Rewards: if a counsellor did their job well she gave them jobs that allowed them to become rich.

-Punishments: if a counsellor upset Elizabeth he would be quickly dismissed. She used anger to keep her counsellors on their toes

who was William Cecil?

-served as Secretary of State and as a Member of Parliament

-He was the Queen's most trusted advisor

-He played a key role in developing the Poor Laws and the new religious policies

who was Francis Walsingham?

-served as Secretary of State after William Cecil died

-was one of the queen's closest advisors from 1573 until her death

-He was known as Elizabeth's 'spymaster'

-He helped establish England as a powerful force at sea and dealt with England's rivals - Spain, France and the Netherlands.

how did Elizabeth control her public image?

-Carried on a platform, covered in golden silk for coronation

-White face mask to make her look young and hide smallpox scars

-Late in reign wore a wig

how did public image help Elizabeth's reign?

-Made her look powerful and wealthy

-Maintained her youthful appearance as 'the Virgin Queen'

How did Elizabeth control publishing and plays?

-only 60 printing presses in England

-The Privy Council could censor plays they disapproved

-in 1597 the government briefly shut down London's

theatres

-The Privy Council published their own books to defend their decisions, show the Queen in a good light or make fun of enemies such as the King of Spain

how did publishing and plays help Elizabeth's reign?

-propaganda: Control the information published and present a good view

-censorship: Prevent enemies from damaging her reputation

what were progresses?

-when the queen travelled around the country

-Few people could see the Queen

-They stayed for free with nobles and gentry

-feasts and entertainment were put on for her

-it cost lots of money

how did progresses help Elizabeth's reign?

-Helped her gain popularity with the public

-Kept it cheap, nobles had to show their loyalty by putting on feasts and entertainment

how did Elizabeth control her portraits?

- she was never actually seen by most people

-they showed a carefully controlled image

-Full of symbols and details

-Displayed in houses of nobles to show loyalty

-sent abroad to impress foreign rulers.

-any portraits that caused the Queen 'great offence' were burned.

how did portraits help Elizabeth's reign?

Showed she was wealthy, powerful, young and healthy, protected her people, showed her ambitions, shows she had a right to rule England, showed her devotion to England (purity, unmarried)

how was succession a challenge for Elizabeth?

In 1562 Elizabeth almost died of smallpox. This drew attention to how uncertain the future was while Elizabeth had no husband or heir

how did Mary, Queen of Scots challenge Elizabeth?

-The next in line for the throne was Mary, Queen of Scots

-Elizabeth was Protestant, Mary was Catholic, Scottish and had been married to the King of France

-However in 1568 Mary was exiled from Scotland to England and became a real threat. Catholics now had an alternative Queen to fight for

how did religion challenge Elizabeth?

-Henry VIII broke England from the Catholic Church

-Edward VI continued the Protestant faith. Mary tried to re- establish the Catholic Church

-Elizabeth was a Protestant but allowed Catholics to privately follow their faith, but many remained unhappy.

-growing popularity of Puritanism, an extreme version of Protestantism, was a threat

how did Ireland challenge Elizabeth?

there was a revolt in 1559, Elizabeth spent thousands of pounds and soldiers to try to limit rebellion but nothing seemed to work

how did taxation challenge Elizabeth?

the government needed money but at times of poverty tax was unpopular, especially for a new monarch

how did foreign policy challenge Elizabeth?

-France and Spain, both Catholic, saw England as a target

-One major area of disagreement was the Netherlands, a Protestant area controlled mostly by Spain

advantages of marriage for Elizabeth

-could create an alliance with a foreign country

-could win the support of a powerful English family

-could produce an heir to succeed her and continue the Tudor line, preventing Mary, Queen of Scots from ruling after Elizabeth's death

-Remaining unmarried would mean that Elizabeth could keep her independence and would not have to share power with her husband

disadvantages of marriage for Elizabeth

-Marrying a foreign prince or king could lead to England falling under their control

-Most of the suitable candidates are Catholic

-Marrying an Englishman would unbalance the different groups at Court and cause problems

-Elizabeth's sister Mary's marriage (to king Phillip) caused rebellion and failed to produce an heir

-A foreign marriage might make enemies of other countries feel rejected

-Giving birth was dangerous

-Elizabeth's father's marriages worked out badly

Robert Dudley

-Known Elizabeth for a long time, liked by her, Good looking and can empathise with Elizabeth's difficult background