History - Elizabethan Era Flashcards
(253 cards)
Why was Elizabethan England often a dangerous place
There was no police force or permanent army - order was relied on a clear social structure
What was someones place in the hierarchy determined by?
By the amount of land you had and whether you owned or rented it
What percentage of Englands population lived or worked in the countryside
90%
Yeomen
Men who owned a small amount of land or estate - lower gentry
Tenant farmers
Farmed rented land, which was usually owned by yeomen or the gentry
Social hierarchy
Nobility
Gentry
Yeomen
Tenant farmers
Landless and labouring poor
Vagrants, homeless
How was hierarchy determined in towns
Often based on wealth and occupation.
Craftsmen
Skilled employees, included apprentices
2 key features of the court
- Mostly made up of members of the nobility
- They were the monarchs key servants, advisers and friends
Role of court
To entertain and advise the monarch
A public display of wealth and power
2 key features of the privy council
Made up of approximately 19 members chosen. y the monarch
Met at least 3 times a week, the meetings were often attended and presided over by the monarch
Role of the privy council
To debate current issues and advise the monarch on government policy
Monitored the proceedings of parliament
Describe Elizabethan society
- Very interconnected
- The Devine right of king legitimised the monarchy
- Status was extremely important
- the monarch was highest source of authority
Status
Your families position over generations - intangible
Divine right theory
Suggests that the Queen was answerable to only God
To criticise the king or queen was close to blasphemy
How did the divine right theory help maintain the Queen’s power
The idea provided a powerful legitimising ideology for the power of the monarch
Made opposition to the monarch difficult
2 key features of parliament
- Could only be called and dismissed by the monarch (weak)
- Parliament have the ability to grant things
Role of parliament
- To grant extraordinary taxation
- Passed laws
Challenges of being an early modern monarch
- At court she had to display her power - present herself well
- Have to manage groups of very influential people
- Need to have control to create a standing army
Key features of the Elizabethan government
- The queen was the most powerful figure in the political system
- Was based on the theory of divine right
- Was not a democratic system
- The privy council was the most important element after the monarch
Patronage
To provide someone with an important job or position
How is patronage used to get support from people
What the queen gave, she could also take away if displeased. Queen was the ultimate patron
Who was Elizabeth’s most important privy councillor
The secretary of state - advised the Queen on matters important to the crown
What was one of the only things that limited Elizabeth’s power
Taxation could only be done with parliaments agreement. Although the queen could issue direct orders, they could not be enforced in England’s law courts. Acts of parliament could be enforced and so any important policies would be presented to parliament for its approval.