The Main changes in Politics & Government under Elizabeth I

Question 1

Question 1
Who established the Privy Council as an advisory & coordinating body?

Answer 1

Henry VII.

Question 2

Question 2
How did Elizabeth change the size of the Privy Council?

Answer 2

She reduced it from 40–50 members under Mary I to under 20 members.

Question 3

Question 3
What religious group did Elizabeth remove from the Privy Council?

Answer 3

Catholics - supporters of the Pope.

Question 4

Question 4
What type of people did Elizabeth prefer to appoint to the Privy Council?

Answer 4

Professional men with proven loyalty to the Tudor dynasty.

Question 5

Question 5
What were the advantages of Elizabeth appointing professionals to the Privy Council?

Answer 5

• More skilled advisors.
• Faster decision-making.
• Reduced noble manipulation.

Question 6

Question 6
What was a disadvantage of Elizabeth removing nobles & clergy from the council?

Answer 6

She risked making powerful enemies.

Question 7

Question 7
What were the four main functions of Elizabeth’s Privy Council?

Answer 7

• Advising the Monarch.
• Administering public policy.
• Coordinating Government.
• Acting as a Royal Court of Law.

Question 8

Question 8
Give an example of a policy debate within Elizabeth’s council.

Answer 8

Policy towards the Netherlands and stopping Spanish power.

Question 9

Question 9
What were the areas of continuity between Elizabeth’s & Henry VIII’s Privy Council?

Answer 9

• Advising the Monarch.
• Administering public policy.
• Coordinating government.
• Acting as a court of law.

Question 10

Question 10
What was a major change in Elizabeth’s Privy Council compared to Henry VIII’s?

Answer 10

Different topics discussed - E.g. Spanish power in the Netherlands.

Question 11

Question 11
What role did the court play during Elizabeth’s reign?

Answer 11

It was both a social and political hub, mixing private household & government business.

Question 12

Question 12
How could nobles improve their status through the Court?

Answer 12

By gaining royal favor & participating in patronage.

Question 13

Question 13
What was the risk for courtiers who lost Elizabeth’s favor?

Answer 13

Rapid collapse of status and income - E.g. Earl of Essex.

Question 14

Question 14
Name two ways Elizabeth controlled debates in her council.

Answer 14

• Participated to prevent consensus.
• Preferred small group discussions.

Question 15

Question 15
How did Elizabeth monitor her councillors’ loyalty?

Answer 15

By keeping detailed notes & questioning them closely.

Question 16

Question 16
How did Elizabeth punish disloyal councillors?

Answer 16

• Exclusion from court.
• House arrest.
• Imprisonment.
• Even execution.

Question 17

Question 17
Name two councillors who faced Elizabeth’s punishments.

Answer 17

• Norfolk - executed.
• Arundel - House arrest.

Question 18

Question 18
How did Elizabeth use patronage to control her court?

Answer 18

By rewarding loyalty & controlling access to her presence.

Question 19

Question 19
What skills helped courtiers succeed at Elizabeth’s court?

Answer 19

Flattery & satisfying her intellectual needs.

Question 20

Question 20
How had Parliament evolved by 1558?

Answer 20

• More embedded within the political system than under Henry VII.
• Still primarily an instrument of royal policy - summoned & dismissed based on Elizabeth’s needs.
• Had little power to initiate policy, mainly advised & approved taxation in emergencies.

Question 21

Question 21
What was the tension event in 1553-56 between Elizabeth & Parliament?

Answer 21

Emergence of the ‘Puritan Choir’ - 40 MPs pushing for stronger Protestant reforms.

Question 22

Question 22
What was the tension event in 1566 between Elizabeth & Parliament?

Answer 22

MPs angered Elizabeth by debating the succession question.

Question 23

Question 23
What was the tension event in 1586 between Elizabeth & Parliament?

Answer 23

Norfolk Election Case - Commons asserted its right to settle election disputes, challenging the Lord Chancellor’s traditional role.

Question 24

Question 24
What suggests Elizabeth maintained firm control over Parliament?

Answer 24

• Only 13 Parliaments summoned in her reign, each sitting for only 10 weeks on average.
• Ruled mainly through the Privy Council, limiting parliamentary influence.
• Resisted all attempts to force her to marry or name a successor.
• Summoned Parliament mostly for financial grants, which she almost always secured.

Question 25

Question 25 How did Parliament’s power compare to earlier reigns?

Answer 25

* More influential than under Henry VII. * Parliament could push back slightly, but Elizabeth still got what she wanted. * Still summoned & dismissed at Elizabeth’s discretion, similar to previous monarchs.

Question 26

Question 26 Why did Elizabeth rely on local officials for governance?

Answer 26

- Lacked a professional civil service. - Increasing government intervention in local communities required trusted local agents. - Unpaid governing class accepted roles for prestige & influence

Question 27

Question 27 Who were the key figures in local government?

Answer 27

Justices of the Peace (JPs) - mainly gentry or wealthy merchants.

Question 28

Question 28 What were the responsibilities of the JPs under Elizabeth I?

Answer 28

- Maintaining law & order. - Settling disputes & punishing offenders. - Administering policies like the Poor Laws.

Question 29

Question 29 What is some evidence to suggest that JPs were effective?

Answer 29

Expanded under Elizabeth, averaging 50 per county by 1600.

Question 30

Question 30 What is some evidence to suggest that JPs were ineffective?

Answer 30

* Often ignored unpopular policies to avoid local backlash. * Some used positions for personal profit.

Question 31

Question 31 What is some continuity between Elizabeth's Government & earlier Governments?

Answer 31

- Lord Lieutenants continued to be appointed from wealthy families. - Still summoned Parliament to get what she wanted. - Personal monarchy remained central to governance.

Question 32

Question 32 What is some change between Elizabeth's Government & earlier Governments?

Answer 32

- Increased local government positions - Sheriffs, High Constables, etc. - Parliament had slightly more influence. - Privy Council became smaller & more efficient. - Royal Court included non-noble figures

Question 33

Question 33 What was William Cecil’s background?

Answer 33

* Studied at Cambridge - St. John’s College, 1535. * Married in 1541, wife died in 1543, leaving son Thomas. * Strong Protestant & Tudor dynasty supporter. * Had positive relations with Mary Tudor. * Elizabeth appointed him as her sole Secretary upon her accession.

Question 34

Question 34 How long did William Cecil serve Elizabeth?

Answer 34

40 years as her Chief Minister. ## Footnote He tried to resign numerous times & she rejected it numerous times.

Question 35

Question 35 Why was Cecil significant?

Answer 35

* Elizabeth’s most trusted advisor & strategist. * Served twice as Secretary of State - 1550-53 & 1558-72. * Became Lord High Treasurer - 1572. * Oversaw trial & execution of Mary Queen of Scots. * Secured Protestant succession & prepared England for the Spanish Armada.