Chapter 19- Elizabeth government

Question 1

The significance of the royal court?

Answer 1

This was important to the decision-making processes of Elizabeth, the court was part theatre and also a place for patronage.
It existed wherever the Queen was at the time, with her progresses
The court was present at both the presence chamber and the privy chamber. The former was open to all who were high status and the latter was more private and more important. Though, this was less powerful under the reign of the queen as the gentleman of the privy chamber no longer enjoyed the same privileges
The court was under the jurisdiction of the lord chamberlain.
Haigh argued that Elizabeth turned her politicians such as Cecil into courtiers and her courtiers into politicians.
The main formal body was the privy council where policy advice and administration took place
this group met frequently.

Question 2

key functions of the privy council

Answer 2

to exist as a court of law
John Guy believed that the role was to manage parliament
discuss matters of the state
manage finances of the crown
oversee the council of north/Wales/ receive appeals from

administers the realm, instructing a range of officials
enforce a range of laws and regulations regarding issues such as law and order
oversee arrangements for national defence, assist the trained bands
enforce the religious settlement of 1559

Question 3

The significance of Elizabeth and her council?

Answer 3

Elizabeth wanted to rule and reign, she did not want to restrict the power of the royal prerogative that she had. Cecil was established as the key minister of Elizabeth- he was described as the “man who does everything”
There were key people such as Bacon, Marquis of Winchester represented a steady conservative in the court
the favourite of Elizabeth Dudley, joined the council in 1562
There was the reshaping of the privy council that took place with the decrease of the influence of the traditional conservative majority.
in 1570s saw a number of protestant councillors that were appointed, these including Francis Walsingham and the Earl of Warwick.
John Guy noted that there was the “inner ring” of eight councillors that were seen to be more militant.
Though, the council did continue to be key for decision making. A part from the 1587 execution of MQS the council on the whole tended to work well with the queen

Question 4

what problems weakened Elizabeth’s council

Answer 4

a number of ministers died in quick successio, Dudley in 1588- the council had only 11 people left
The queen did not make quick replacements
There was an absence of senior noblemen in the council, the council did not include the most important families.
Elizabeth refused to allow Burghley to retire
Elizabeth did not like the promotion of the Robert Cecil

Question 5

Factional rivalry

Answer 5

in the early part of her reign factionalism was limited by the fact that there were a number of key families who were able to balance eachother out.
This declined from the 1590’s, this was evident with clashes between Robert Cecil and the Earl of Essex- the Essex rebellion of 1601
His plan to deal with the matter was to plan an armed coup that was designed to bring down the cecil and other enemies.
Essex was quickly tried and executed
Though, the rule of the queen and Essex had become unpopular as Essex reflected wider opinions.
John guy has challenged how far there has been division within the council, he suggested that the division between Cecil and Dudley was focussed.

Question 6

the decline in influence of the earl of Essex

Answer 6

he had been frozen out of court by Cecil
He was in financial trouble and Elizabeth refused to renew his monopoly on sweet wine
he failed to be a military leader in Ireland and later stormed into the bedchamber of the queen

Question 7

the significance of parliament during Elizabeth’s reign?

Answer 7

parliament was less important under the reign of Elizabeth, she regarded it as a necessary but occasional evil, she would use it for tax and giving advice

Question 8

key Elizabethan parliaments

Answer 8

Jan- May 1559- settlement of religion
Jan/April 1563 and sep/jan 66/67- Elizabeth wanted money- 1563 members of parliament were key in Elizabeth needing to marry, in 1566 Elizabeth prevented the passage of bills for further religious reform
October 1586-87- there was the debate about whether to Execute MQS- parliament petitioned Elizabeth
October 1501- December 1601- the 1598 poor law was revised, Elizabeth was able to achieve this through the Golden Speech

Question 9

teh significance of law making/granting taxation and giving advice

Answer 9

law making- 438 acts were passed in the parliament of Elizabeth
Granting Taxation- Extraordinary revenue was the most important function of parliament, all but two were asked to grant revenue. Though Elizabeth frequently had to use extraordinary revenue to pay for “normal” ventures
giving advice- parliament served as a useful means of communication

Question 10

the histiography of Elizabeth and her parliaments

Answer 10

Neale saw the importance of opposition within parliament and this was seen during the reign of Elizabeth, this was seen with teh puritan choir

Question 11

the significance of the parliament and patronage system

Answer 11

The creation of 62 new Borough seats came from the aristocrats who wanted prestige, teh crown was forced to oblige to the aristocratic servants.

Question 12

the significance of managing parliament

Answer 12

it was important to Elizabeth that sessions were carefully managed, Cecil played an important role as he framed key bills.
privy councillors would outline the priorities of the crown
There were times when Elizabeth was irritated by her parliament, this was evident in 1563 and 66 when parliament try to discuss her marriage, she refused to royal assent 60 bills
The crown, urged by Whitgift sought the passing a punitive act against secretaries, when Raleigh criticised the act Elizabeth took it personally and he was barred.
Elizabeth was also infuriated when Wentworth tried to make Elizabeth name a second successor, him and 3 colleagues were imprisoned.
This broke down further in 1601 over monopolies

Question 13

the significance of the golden speech, 1601

Answer 13

this was as the final parliamentary session of her reign drew to a close, the emotional speech mentioned the poor relations which had not been discussed in parliament. Many mp’s left the chamber in tears

Question 14

key minister- William Cecil

Answer 14

Born in lincolnshire to a gentry family, educated at Cambridge and he showed an ethusiasm for moderate protestantism
1547- entered the service of the Duke of Somerset
1558- Elizabeths Secretary of State
1571- Lord Burghley

Question 15

key minister- Christopher Hatton

Answer 15

had the friendship of Elizabeth
appointed gentleman of the privy chamber
1587- promoted to lord chancellor, despite his lack of legal training
he was rewarded by Elizabeth with land and a monopoly of the wine trade

Question 16

key minister Walter Raleigh

Answer 16

born to a gentry family in the West Country- 1552
1578- given command of his first ship, Falcon
1581- Elizabeth caught him because of his “dashing and flamboyant nature”
1585-88- he was knighted by Elizabeth, granted vast estates in England and Ireland.
Queen invested in his privateering expeditions against Spain.
1595- sent to the tower for getting Elizabeth Throckmorton, one of the maids of Elizabeth pregnant, he was no longer a trusted courtier

Question 17

key minister Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester

Answer 17

son of the Duke of Northumberland.
1555- released from the tower where he had been involved in his father’s conspiracy to put LJG on the throne in 1553
1558- appointed master of the horse, rumours of a romantic attachment to Elizabeth
1560- Amy Rosbart found dead, rumours grew that he and Elizabeth would marry
1567 secretly married countess of Essex

Question 18

key minister Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Leicester

Answer 18

had a very privileged childhood and grew up, reckless vain and extravagant
1587- made master of the house and given a monopoly of sweet wine
1591- married the daughter of Walsingham and temporarily fell out of favour
1597- defeated Spanish navy at Cadiz
1599- appointed to command the army being sent to Ireland, disobeyed orders by attacking munster and appointing his own favourite instead of marching against Tyrone.
burst into the queen’s bed chamber and was placed on house arrest
1601- Essex rebellion

Question 19

key minister Francis Walsingham

Answer 19

born to a lawyer from on old Norfolk family
a fervent protestant- spent Mary’s reign on the continent
1558- entered parliament as MP
1573 promoted to Secretary of State with special responsibility or foreign affairs
his bluntness and extreme religious convictions caused tension between him and Elizabeth, but she respected him and made him chancellor of the order of the garter

Question 20

key minister Robert Cecil

Answer 20

Used by Elizabeth as an unofficial spokesman in the commons
1596- appointed as Secretary of State after organising the Cadiz expedition, despite being challenged to a duel by Essex
1603- supervised the arrangements for the succession for James 6th of Scotland.

Question 21

how important was William Cecil to the court?

Answer 21

he had fine intellect and experience of managing people “his very servants to admire him”- AGR Smith
1560 and Scotland
the seizure of the Spanish ships in 1568 was able to establish the authority of Cecil
Though, after 1572 appointment as Lord treasurer the historical opinion of him remained divided, MacCaffrey saw him as the “the dynamo which kept the routine business of government running smoothly”
Whilst Read argued that he was simply a councillor

Question 22

what were the key achievements of Cecil?

Answer 22

drafting all of Elizabeth’s correspondence with foreign ambassadors and agents
continuing a prudent economic policy
creating an intelligence service at home and abroad
managing the business of the House of Commons
providing effective methods of administration for the privy council
creating a propaganda system which ensured public acceptance of Elizabeth.

Question 23

what were the key issues which caused division within the council?

Answer 23

1562- example of the court ignoring Elizabeth, Elizabeth does not meet MQS as they council disagree with her wish to meet the Queen
1567- there is division in the council as to whether Elizabeth should marry the Archduke Charles, with Cecil in favour and Leicester not- Elizabeth will then reject Charles
1578- a key matter that will split the council is whether to provide military aid to the protestant rebels, Leicester will have to wait 7 years for Elizabeth to approve the military intervention
1581- Elizabeth wil reject Alecon and say that her council is against the match
1586- the council will force Elizabeth to push for a parliament to sign for a death warrant for Mary, Burghley does this to exert pressure on the queen.
1601- there is divisions when it comes to the Essex rebellion, as Essex will say that councillors have to choose whether they are for/against him, the rebellion benefits Cecil
Elizabeth ensures that vacancies go to Cecil and his followers

Question 24

what were the key tactics that Elizabeth employed to control her council?

Answer 24

she discussed policy in small groups
she kept accurate notes of what had been said
Elizabeth consulted with men outside of the council such as foreign ambassadors
Elizabeth promoted factionalism and encouraged them to compete for rewards
Elizabeth displayed anger and violence
exclusion (Leicester and walsingham)
house arrest (arundel)
imprisonment (Davidson and croft)
execution (Norfolk and essex)

Elizabeth also displayed affection

Question 25

divisions at the beginning of Elizabeth's reign?

Answer 25

the promotion of Cecil was based on his merit and political ability by 1560 Dudley was established as Elizabeth's favourite in court 1567- There was division between Cecil and Leicester, as the former accused the latter of exploiting religion for his own needs, with regards to the Queen and Marrying archduke Charles of Austria 1578- Leicester and Walsingham joined against Burghley with the question of whether to send troops to the Netherlands 1579- Cecil claimed that it would be better if there was no marriage at all, Leicester whipped up support against the marriage between Elizabeth and the French duke Alencon.

Question 26

how did divisions further throughout Elizabeth's reign?

Answer 26

1593- Essex was admitted to the court where he championed an aggressive foreign policy, he negotiated with James 6th to revive the idea of a protestant coalition against the forces of Catholicism. 1596- there was further divisions between Cecil and Essex as the former wanted to negotiate an end to the war with Spain. 1601- Essex plotted rebellion which left Robert Cecil supreme.

Question 27

what is the significance of the Essex rebellion?

Answer 27

Essex came to court as the stepson of the Earl of Leicester, when Leicester died he became the leader of a group of courtiers who favoured stepping military action against the Spanish. Though, Elizabeth did not favour such actions this led Essex unable to gain seats on the privy council 1599 Elizabeth appointed Essex in command of her army in Ireland, he failed in this opportunity and lost his valuable monopolies. in 1601 Essex attempted to seize strategic places in London such as the palace of Whitehall. He and his supporters also detested the power of the Cecil family. The rebellion was seen as a failure as few people actively joined in and Essex was arrested and executed for treason. This concerned Elizabeth as it did take place in the capital, none of the supporters were put on trial for provoking further rebellion.

Question 28

what is the evidence for growing conflict between crown and parliament?

Answer 28

Elizabeth resisted all attempts for her to marry 1601- parliament clashed with the queen on the issue of monopolies, mps successfully refused to grant her additional taxes by the end of Elizabeths reign 1/2 of mps were educated 1593- there was the discussion of a bill to reform the church, as mps used their claim to free speech. The queen recognised that whilst the mps should not be prevented from discussing legislation, the Queen that this did not extend beyond legislation that interested them. 1576- Wentworth was imprisoned for calling for greater freedom of speech

Question 29

what evidence was there against the growing conflict between crown and parliament?

Answer 29

other than Wentworth, due to Elizabeths lack of support for freedom of speech there was no general support to win this right Whilst Elizabeth did use her power such as the VETO, she did this when the bill had defects

Question 30

what was the important social legislation passed during Elizabeths reign?

Answer 30

1563- statute of Artificers- this meant that 7 year apprenticeships were made compulsory in all urban crafts. Maximum wage rates were fixed. This was designed to maintain high standards of craftsmanship. 1572 Vagabonds act- severe penalties were to be enacted against vagrants, this was indicative of the governments fear of the vagrant class. The wording of this act and the 1576 Act for the Relief of the poor, showing that the government knew that the flight of the poor was not always their own fault. 1576- act for the relief of the poor; the able-bodied poor were to be directed by jus to find work. 1598- act for the relief of the poor, four overseers were to be appointed to supervise the administration of poor relief. This act was passed against the background of the rising population, 1598- act for the punishment of the rogues, jps were to establish houses for correction, reduce the likelihood of social unrest.

Question 31

what was the important economic legislation passed during the reign of Elizabeth?

Answer 31

1563- the act for maintaining tillage, no land could currently under tillage could be converted to pasture. The governments dislike of enclosure was based not only of social unrest but also that the number of tenants available for military service might decline. the statute if artificers- this was an attempt to regulate both industry and agriculture, fixed maximum but not minimum wage rates- this recognised the right to work. Though, the act did not live up to its expectations because it failed to take into account the increasing level of unemployment. 1592- 93- statute regarding the export of corn- the price limit was set on corn at 20 shillings a quarter. There was also the repeal of the 1563 act for maintaining tillage, followed good harvests between 1587 and 93 1598 the statute against the conversions of pasture and the engrossing of farms- designed to prevent further conversion of tillage to pasture. This was followed by a spate of enclosures between 1591 and 97