Part 1 - Elizabeth’s court and Parliament - Elizabeth and her court

Question 1

How was Elizabeth brought up?

Answer 1

• well looked after and educated in various subjects and langauges
• prepared for life as a member of the royal court

Question 2

Power in Elizabethan England?

Answer 2

• elizabeth only 25 when she became queen - needed to establish authority quickly
• could not do as she pleased - government had clear structure of advisors and other powerful figures
• most of power held by a few key individuals in elizabeths court - many of whom were privy councillors
• elizabeth earned their support through patronage

Question 3

What was patronage?

Answer 3

• important way of ensuring loyalty from courtiers
• elizabeth would award titles, land, monopolies and other powerful positions + money-making opportunities in exchange for obedience snd support

Question 4

What was the royal court?

Answer 4

• royal court and government not same thing - court made up of government officials, ladies-in-waiting, servants and advisors who surrounded elizabeth
• consisted of around 1,000 people - centre of political power - also source of trends and fashions for the country
• included privy council, but JP and parliament were not part of it
• government made up of queen and closest advisors - usually privy councillors - always med she trusted

Question 5

Who was William Cecil?

Answer 5

• served as secretary of state twice - member of parliament
• elizabeths most trusted advisor - said at times queen would listen to no one but cecil
• encouraged elizabeth to take control of catholic ireland and to fight catholical rivals
• played key role in developing poor laws and new religious policies

Question 6

Who was Francis Walsingham?

Answer 6

• secretary of state - one of queens closest advisors
• known as elizabeths spymaster - said to have “eyes and ears” everywhere
• helped establish england as powerful - took lead in dealing with englands biggest rivals
• played role in the trial and execution of MQS

Question 7

Who were lord lietenants

Answer 7

• appointed by queen
• responsible for running particular area of country
• responsible for raising a militia to fight for queen if needed
• many also served on pricy council

Question 8

Who were justices of peace?

Answer 8

• several in every county
• responsible for maintaining order and enforcing law

Question 9

What was parliament?

Answer 9

• made up of house of lords and house of commons
• had influence over tax - was responsible for passing lawas
• queen could choose when to call parliament - free to ignore their advice

Question 10

What was privy council?

Answer 10

• responsible for day to day running of country - dealing with all policy areas
• if council was united - almost impossible for elizabeth to go against their wishes - unity rare in group with ambitious men
• led by secretary of state