Elizabethan government Flashcards
Which three governing bodies made up Elizabethan government?
The Monarch, the Privvy Council and Parliament.
What roles did Elizabeth hold?
As monarch, Elizabeth was ruler. No law could be passed without her consent. She decided when parliament sat and who would help her govern . Everyone had to obey her.
What role did the Privvy Council hold?
The Privvy Council was responsible for the general administration of the country. they were involved in military matters, the Queen’s security, economics and the welfare of the people.
What role did parliament have?
Parliament’s main function was to pass laws and grant the Queen money when she needed it.
The Queen could pass laws without Parliament’s consent. What were these laws called?
Royal Proclamations
Who was in the Elizabethan Parliament?
The Tudor Parliament consisted of the House of Lords, where the Bishops and Aristocrats sat, and the House of Commons, where the common people sat.
How many times did Parliament sit during Elizabeth’s reign?
Parliament only sat 3 for three years out of Elizabeth’s 45-year-reign.
What did Elizabeth’s court look like?
The court was located wherever the Queen was. It consisted of 500 nobles, advisers, officials and servants, collectively called “courtiers”.
What were Royal Progresses?
Elizabeth would travel with her court on tours called progresses, visiting the homes of the nobility.
What was the point of Royal Progresses?
Progresses allowed Elizabeth to be seen by her subjects regularly, to build a relationship with her people and to flatter the nobles she chose to stay with. They also allowed Elizabeth’s court to void illnesses in the capital.
What is Patronage?
Showing favouritism by giving particular men important jobs. It was a corrupt system, but very effective, creating rivalries between people.
Who was Sir William Cecil?
One of Elizabeth’s most trusted advisers. he spoke his mind if he disagreed with the Queen, and she relied on him. He was given the title Lord Burghley in 1571.
Who was Sir Francis Walsingham?
Elizabeth’s spy-master. Uncovered numerous plots against Elizabeth. Appointed to the Privvy Council in 1573.
Who was Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester?
A childhood favourite of Elizabeth - there were rumours of a romance between them. he was made master of the horse, personally responsible for her safety. Became a privvy councillor in 1562.
How did parliament change during Elizabeth’s reign?
MPs became more self-confident in arguing against the Queen. This might be because they were better educated than MPs had traditionally been.
