2 Elizabethan Society and Government

Question 1

Social hierarchy in countryside.

Answer 1

1. Monarch
2. Nobility: royal family, major landowners with titles and royal connections (e.g. Earl)
3. Gentry: other major landowners with titles (e.g. Sir)
4. Yeomanry: lesser-landowners, lower gentry.
5. Tenant farmers: rented land from yeomen and gentry.
6. Landless or labouring poor: worked on land for yeoman or on land belonging to gentry.
7. Vagrants and homeless: lived off begging and charity.

Question 2

Social hierarchy in towns.

Answer 2

1. Monarch
2. Merchant: wealthy from trade; owned property in city.
3. Professionals: educated - normally went to university (e.g. clergy, teachers, doctors, lawyers)
4. Business owners: highly skilled craftsmen who employed others too.
5. Skilled craftsmen: learned a trade (e.g. coopers, carpenters, blacksmiths)
6. Unskilled workers and the unemployed: worked for others but did not need to learn their trade through an apprenticeship.

Question 3

The Elizabethan government.

Answer 3

• Monarch.
• Court.
• Privy Council.
• Secretary of State.
• Parliament.
• Lords Lieutenant.
• Justices of Peace.

Question 4

The Monarch

Answer 4

• Held considerable power
• Had the Divine Right - chosen by God so authority was beyond question.
• Made all important decisions - acted on advice of Privy Council, if she chose to. (e.g. make laws, legal judgements, peace; declare war; call and dismiss Parliament; grant money, titles and rewards).
• Loyalty rewarded through patronage which could be removed - effective way of maintaining loyalty.

Question 5

The Court

Answer 5

• All who lived near or with the monarch - mostly most senior nobility.
• Attendance required queen’s permission and could be taken away instantaneously.
• Members entertained queen - showed off wealth and power of nobility.
• Members advise monarch.

Question 6

The Privy Council

Answer 6

• Made up of leading courtiers, noble advisors and senior officials.
• Handpicked by the monarch - usually 19
• Met 3+ times a week - often joined by queen.
• Had considerable power - advised monarch on important current affairs, ensured her orders were enacted; in charge of security, law and order in England.
• Oversaw actions of Justices of Peace and Parliament.

Question 7

The Secretary of State

Answer 7

• Head of the Privy Council
• Monarch’s closest advisor - could expect to be informed on all important matters.
• Sir William Cecil - most important SoS in this period until 1573; later raised from gentry to nobility when becoming Lord Burghley.

Question 8

Parliament

Answer 8

• Made up of House of Commons - elected but very few men had vote - and House of Lords.
• Did not always meet - Elizabeth only called 10 times.
• Issues like marriage, foreign policy and her successor were considered royal prerogatives - Parliament forbidden from discussing them.
• Only they could issue legally enforceable Acts of Parliament - usually an endorsement of monarch’s decision (rarely declined).
• Only they had power to raise extraordinary taxes - important for smooth running of royal policy.

Question 9

Lords Lieutenant

Answer 9

• One appointed for each county in England - may serve on Privy Council.
• In charge of local government and ensured royal policy was carried out.
• Oversaw the maintenance of fortifications and the raising and training of the militia.

Question 10

Justices of Peace

Answer 10

• Local landowners appointed to keep law and order in their area.
• Unpaid role but offered considerable reputation - competition for it.
• Worked in local government.
• Made sure social and economic policies were enacted.
• Acted as judges - heard cases for more serious crimes 4 times a year.