19 - Elizabethan Government

Question 1

Which of Elizabeth’s councillors had served under Mary?

Answer 1

Earl of Arundel and Pembrooke
- powerful nobles and experienced politicians

Question 2

Which of Elizabeth’s councillors had served under Edward?

Answer 2

William Cecil
- secretary for Northumberland

Question 3

Who were some of Elizabeth’s new councillors?

Answer 3

Sir Francis Knollys
Sir Richard Sackville

Question 4

How did Elizabeth only deal with the council in small groups and was this successful?

Answer 4

Would summon for special debates when her view was in the minority. This prevented them from giving her advice in court that she would later have to reject

Question 5

How did Elizabeth keep accurate notes and was this successful?

Answer 5

Would call councillors individually and keep notes on their opinions, trying to catch them out. Allowed Elizabeth to avoid conversation that isolated her

Question 6

How did Elizabeth use anger and violence and was this successful?

Answer 6

• Norfolk and Essex were executed
• Davidson and Croft were sent to Prison
• Pembroke was put on house arrest

Developed a reputation of a formidable woman who they should not mess with

Question 7

How did Elizabeth consult with men outside the council and was this successful?

Answer 7

Spring 1559 - Spanish Ambassador thought Dudley was being used without being a member of the Council. Suggests that Elizabeth could not have the specific councillors she wanted

Question 8

How did Elizabeth promote divisions between her councillors and was this successful?

Answer 8

Dudley vs Norfolk 1562
Essex vs Cecil from 1596

Allowed a wide range of opinions and meant Elizabeth could come to her own conclusions

Question 9

How did Elizabeth display affection to councillors and was this successful?

Answer 9

When Lord Burghley was sick, she brought soup to his bedside and sent her personal physician. Made her popular through her attentiveness

Question 10

How did Cecil manipulate information between the Council and Queen?

Answer 10

June 1568, Francis Knollys took custody of MQS, and 10/13 letters regarding this were addressed to Cecil. Meant Cecil could control what reached Elizabeth and what didn’t.

Question 11

How were English ambassadors used in a Cecillian way?

Answer 11

1562, councillors had tried to convince Elizabeth to support the Hugenots . Christian Mundt convinced German princes to suggest an alliance.

Question 12

1562

Answer 12

• Elizabeth wanted to meet MQS
• Elizabeth vs Council
• council convinces her not to go

Question 13

1567

Answer 13

• Elizabeth wanted to marry Archduke Charles of Austria
• Liz vs Council
• Elizabeth hesitates then rejects

Question 14

1569-70

Answer 14

• how to deal with the threat of MQS
• Elizabeth vs Cecil
• she stays neutral to hear both sides

Question 15

1578

Answer 15

• should they give military support to Netherlands
• Elizabeth vs Leicster and Walsingham
• 7 years later Elizabeth sends help

Question 16

1579-81

Answer 16

• negotiations for marriage to Duke of Alencon
  -Elizabeth vs Walsingham and Leicster
• majority of councillors against her

Question 17

1586

Answer 17

• Council wants death warrant for MQS
• Elizabeth vs Council
• Walsingham claims he heard Elizabeth’s life was at risk if she didn’t comply
• she listens

Question 18

1590s

Answer 18

• growth of support for Cecil and Essex
• 1601 Essex rebellion, he is executed
• Cecil followers rewarded

Question 19

What was Neale’s argument?

Answer 19

Power of parliament increased across reign and levels of conflict

Question 20

What was Elton’s argument?

Answer 20

While there was conflict, this did not stop them from fulfilling their role

Question 21

Evidence to support Neale 1560s:

Answer 21

1559 - royal supremacy bill initially rejected
1563-67 - Puritan Choir led by Peter Wentworth who demanded free speech

Question 22

Evidence to support Elton 1560s:

Answer 22

1559 - supremacy bill is passed after she arrests 2 bishops
1563-67 - wanted Elizabeth to name a successor as there were concerns about her health, and much of the bugging was from the 8 councillors in the house of commons

Question 23

Evidence to support Neale 1570s:

Answer 23

May 1571 - Purtian Choir had a new leader such as Thomas Cartwright and centred their argument on ‘Admonition to Parliament’ and continued conflict following Ridolfi Plot
Feb-March 1576 - PW demands free speech

Question 24

Evidence to support Elton 1570s:

Answer 24

May 1571 - the push to execute Mary was for Elizabeth’s safety
Feb - March 1576 - Wentworth was sent to tower

Question 25

Evidence to support Neale 1580s:

Answer 25

Nov 1584 - March 1585 - Puritans start ‘Bill and Book’ campaign to replace the Anglican church system with a Calvinist one
Oct 1586 - Presbyterianism emerges threatening the Queen’s position

Question 26

Evidence to support Elton 1580s:

Answer 26

Nov 1584 - March 1585 - House of Commons refused to hear BaB and Elizabeth safeguarded James V of Scotland
Oct 1586 - opposition lead by councillors like Burghley

Question 27

Evidence to support Neale 1590s:

Answer 27

Oct 1597-Feb 1598 and Oct - Dec 1601:
grievances over monopolies and dissatisfaction over financial demands caused a row in commons and parliament voted for far less money than requested. Monopolies were cancelled

Question 28

Evidence to support Elton 1590s:

Answer 28

Oct 1597-Feb 1598 and Oct - Dec 1601:
could just be seen as common grievance

Question 29

General Parliament figures:

Answer 29

• parliament called 9x in first 30 years and 13x in the whole reign
• 1559 parliament only 54% of MPs present by Feb
• 506 bills and 436 passed with 70 vetoed
• other than 1597, 5 councillors present in house of commons