1 Changes in governance at the centre

How far do you agree that the reform of the Privvy Council was the Key turning Point in Royal Govt. 1485 - 1603 ?

P - First true change to government in the Tudor period

E - The Royal Council was already an elite governing body yet the evolution of the Privy Council enhanced the elitest element of the council.

E - Therefore, the reduce in numbers meant that Royal govt. was more centralised and centred around the Privy Council. This is because, access was now further limited to the King regarding essential matters

L - It is evident to conclude that this was the most significant turning point due to its longevity as it continued into Edward VI’s reign - vital due to his age.

P - However, it could be argued that the changing role of The Secretary was the most important turning point due to the essentiality of the position in Royal Govt. - especially in the reign of Elizabeth

E - This was a vital person as they had direct access to the monarch as well as privvy seal rights

The Secretary also controlled the privy seal

Under Cromwell he politicised the position and despite the more important position in govt. being the Lord Chancellor Audley - Cromwell dominated meetings and legalised crowns decisions and monitored access to the King - he organised patronage and parliamentary business

The Cecils were then appointed after that from the Queen herself - Elizabeth later enhanced this by ruling Cecil ‘Secretary in State’ 1596

E - But, arguably not a long lasting change as , after his execution, the position was split into 2

L - However, the importance of the post still remained constant throughout all the tudour monarchs yet its power was definitely dispersed - not long lasting. And for many monarchs the role was administrative rather than central to their governance

P - Collective responsibility within the Privy Council rpoves it was the most significant turning point - marked a shift away from personal government

E - This was the notion that all councillors were of equal status no matter their titles and no one person could dominate parliament - which was seen by the corruption of Wolsey and Cromwell

E - This was vital in the reign of Edward VI due to his age which would’ve made it very easy for councillors to exploit this fact - But the Duke of Northumberland took the position of Lord President of the Council

Was also vital during Elizabeth’s reign due to her gender - she usually used men for this

L - Therefore, this provides evidence that the reformation of the Privy Council was a turning point due to the aspect of collective responsibility which disallowed the exploitation of powers by ministers

P - But, it could be argued that the changing nature of Lord Lieutenant was the most significant turning point as the position was vital in attempting the stop the exploitation of royal power in local govt.

The LL kept order and mustered troops.

E - The turning point occured during Henry VIII’s reign as he extended power to localities as after threats of domestic / foreign rebellion -

E - the LL also took over the role of JP’s in Henry’s reign which extended to Eliz and Mary

This was also useful during Mary’s reign where she spilt the country into 10

L - Therefore, it would be inaccurate to argue that the changing nature of LL was the most significant turning point as the role continuously relied on the nobility in their traditional military role. Still important nonetheless.