Court and Parliament Flashcards
(10 cards)
Elizabethan society
When Elizabeth I became queen, England followed a strict feudal hierarchy. She held great power over political, religious, and social matters, supported by the nobility and gentry—wealthy landowners who helped govern. The majority were peasants with little influence, working the land to sustain the country. Parliament, made up of the House of Lords and House of Commons, was becoming more important, but Elizabeth still held final authority and could open or close it at will.
privy council
19 members her closed nobles
they gave her advice monitored government and enact the queen’s wishes
Parliament
The House of Lords contained nobles and bishops chosen by the monarch. The House of Commons were nobility and gentry chosen by election. Very few people in Elizabethan England could vote
approved tax, allowed queen to change laws and gave her advice
court
Members of nobility who the monarch invited. People who attended the court were called courtiers. The court also included the monarch’s closest friends and servants
entertain queen, show wealth and power, influence queen on certain issues
struggles when coming into power
When Elizabeth I became queen, England was structured by a strict feudal hierarchy that maintained order in society. She held significant power over political, religious, and social matters, supported by the nobility and gentry—wealthy landowners who advised her and managed local governance. Most of the population were peasants with little influence, working the land to sustain the economy. Parliament, made up of the House of Lords and House of Commons, was gaining importance by passing laws and taxes, but Elizabeth had the final say and could summon or dismiss it at will. Despite some limits, her control over the government remained strong.
Essex rebellion 1601
Decline of Essex’s Power:
Robert Devereux, once a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I, fell from grace after political and military failures, particularly in Ireland. Frustrated by his rivals’ influence at court, especially Sir Robert Cecil, he became increasingly desperate to regain power.
The Rebellion Begins:
On 8 February 1601, Essex gathered around 300 followers and marched into London. His aim was to capture the Queen, remove his enemies from power, and take control of the government.
Lack of Support:
The rebellion failed almost immediately. Londoners did not rise in support, and the authorities quickly acted to shut down the revolt. By the end of the day, Essex surrendered.
Trial and Execution:
Essex was arrested, tried for treason, and executed on 25 February 1601. His actions were seen as a direct challenge to Elizabeth’s authority.
Significance:
The rebellion revealed rising tensions at court and the dangers of political rivalry. It also marked one of the final threats to Elizabeth I’s rule.
Ridolfi plot 1571
The Plot:
Ridolfi planned to:
Assassinate Elizabeth I.
Free Mary from house arrest.
Use a Spanish invasion from the Netherlands (then controlled by Spain).
Install Mary as queen, married to Norfolk.
The Pope and King Philip II of Spain supported the plan. Ridolfi travelled across Europe gathering support from Catholic leaders.
Discovery and Outcome:
Elizabeth’s spymaster, Sir William Cecil, uncovered the plot through intercepted letters and confessions.
Norfolk was arrested, tried for treason, and executed in 1572.
Mary was not executed but was watched more closely.
Ridolfi escaped and was never punished.
Significance:
This was the first major foreign-backed Catholic plot. It showed Elizabeth how dangerous Mary’s presence in England could be and led to increased distrust of English Catholics.
Throckmorton plot 1583
The Plot:
The plan involved:
A French invasion of England, led by the Catholic Duke of Guise.
Financial and military support from Spain and the Pope.
A simultaneous Catholic uprising within England.
Mary would become queen once Elizabeth was killed.
Throckmorton acted as a go-between for Mary and foreign powers.
Discovery and Outcome:
Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth’s head of intelligence, discovered the plot through secret surveillance.
Throckmorton was arrested, tortured, and confessed.
He was executed in 1584.
Mary remained under close guard and her communication was further restricted.
Significance:
This plot reinforced the fear of foreign Catholic interference and led to stricter laws against Catholics, including the Bond of Association (1584), which stated anyone involved in a plot against the Queen could be executed—even if the Queen wasn’t harmed.
Babington ploot 1586
The Plot:
Babington and his group:
Planned to kill Elizabeth.
Organised for a Spanish army to invade England.
Promised to free Mary and crown her queen.
Crucially, Babington wrote letters directly to Mary, detailing the plan and asking for her support. Mary replied, approving the assassination.
Discovery and Outcome:
Walsingham had infiltrated Mary’s communication network.
The letters were intercepted and decoded by cryptographers, including Thomas Phelippes.
The evidence directly linked Mary to the plot.
Babington and his fellow conspirators were arrested and executed
Mary was tried, found guilty of treason, and executed in 1587.
Significance:
This was the most serious threat to Elizabeth’s life. It directly implicated Mary, forcing Elizabeth to approve her cousin’s execution. It ended Catholic hopes of restoring Mary to the throne.
northern rebellion 1569
The Rebellion:
The rebels aimed to:
Overthrow Elizabeth.
Place Mary, Queen of Scots, on the throne.
Restore Catholicism in England.
They marched south with an army of about 5,000 men, took Durham, and held a Catholic mass in the cathedral.
Failure and Outcome:
The rebellion failed to gain wider support.
Government forces put it down.
Over 800 rebels were executed, including Northumberland. Westmorland escaped abroad.
Significance:
It showed the danger of internal Catholic resistance. After this, Elizabeth increased pressure on Catholics and took more control over the north of England.
