The nature of Elizabethan Monarchy, Government and Parliament Flashcards
(16 cards)
1
Q
What was the role of the privy council?
A
- The privy council under Elizabeth were a group of advisors who helped her govern the country
- Thomas Cromwell had reduce the size of the council and made it more efficient
- Elizabeth would not attend their meetings and did not often take their advice
- The council met twice a week
- They would also handle threats such as plots and rebellions
- They regulated issues such as poverty, trade and inflation
2
Q
Who were key members of the Privy Council?
A
- William Cecil who was also Lord Burghley and was Elizabeth’s most trusted advisor
- Robert Dudley ( Earl of Leicester ) a close personal favorite of Elizabeth
- Francis Walsingham was crucial in discovering Babington plot
- Robert Cecil, son of William
- Sir Nicholas Bacon , who was Lord Keeper of Great Seal
- Sir Christopher Hatton, who was Lord Chancellor
- Thomas Howard, 4th duke of Norfolk
3
Q
What was the role and influence of William Cecil?
A
- William Cecil was the most important and influential minister in Elizabeth’s government
- He was Chief Advisor to Elizabeth and was her most trusted counsellor
- He was also the Secretary of State in which he controlled royal paper work and had a key role in managing relations with foreign powers especially Spain and France
- He was also Lord Treasurer meaning he took over financial policy and aimed to stablise the economy
- He was very influential as he was there for a majority of Elizabeth’s reign, and he helped shaped many of Elizabeth’s policies. In addition to this he rained and passed down the responsibility to his son, Robert Cecil which ensured the continuity of policy after his death
4
Q
What was the factional rivalry between Cecil and Dudley?
A
- William Cecil was Elizabeth’s chief advisor and was focused on keeping long term stability
- Robert Dudley was a childhood friend of the Queen and was often seeking military glory and political influence
- They frequently differed on policies, with Cecil being cautious and mindful of the financial situation in England, whereas Dudley favored a bold approach and wanted to get involved in Wars in Europe such as against the Spanish for the Dutch protestants, but Cecil wanted to maintain peace because he knew the financial outcome of war
- Cecil wanted Elizabeth to marry to secure a succession whereas Dudley opposed marriage as he believed it meant that he would lose influence
- To manage this Elizabeth would just play one off another to keep control and she never allowed one to dominate
5
Q
What was the faction between Dudley and Howard Duke of Norfolk?
A
- In 1565-66
- Dudley accused Sussex of misconduct and Norfolk retaliated by accusing Dudley of murdering Amy Robsart, and that because Elizabeth was close with him, she was in danger of being dragged in
- Sussex and Dudley threatened to fight a duel
- Elizabeth then herself ended the tension by announcing that she would not marry Dudley
- They also had religious tensions as Dudley supported radical protestant changes while Norfolk had Catholic sympathies
6
Q
What was the Cecil and Walsingham Faction ?
A
- The Cecil and Walsingham faction was a powerful and influential Protestant alliance at Elizabeth’s court
- They both helped and enforced the Religious Settlement
- Walsingham exposed key Catholic plots such as the Throckmorton and the Babington plot
7
Q
How did Elizabeth manage faction or not manage it?
A
- To manage it, ensured no single faction became dominant
- She used patronage, such as giving rewards such as titles to them to keep nobles loyal
- she would often postpone big decisions and this would force rivals to compete for her approval thus strengthening her control
8
Q
How did Elizabeth use her gender to strengthen her authority ?
A
- Elizabeth presented herself as a mother to the nation, she played on the traditional gender expectations of appearing to be nurturing and caring , this enabled her to gain loyalty and affection
- By remaining unmarried, Elizabeth created the Virgin Image, symbolising purity and dedication to England, and her virginity came a source of strength and she showed that she was married to her kingdom and not under a mans control
- She would also use her gender to bind men to her. For example Sir Christopher Hatton had literally danced his way into her favour, after proving himself in the Queen’s service as a courtier and MP , he was promoted and even remained single for her sake and Elizabeth recognised his worth and ability and made him Lord Chancellor
- Lastly the life of the court revolved around the Queen, so Elizabeth would use her femininity as a means of getting information about political gossip and she managed to pick up information in 1569 about Norfolks plan to marry Mary Stuart
9
Q
What was the role of House of Lords and Elizabeth I?
A
- The House of Commons were made up of elected MP’s and they had influence in religion, freedom of speech and the succession, but they rarely challenged Elizabeth directly because she would always control or silence them through her royal prerogative for example imprisoning Peter Wentworth for pushing free speech
- House of Lords were nobles and bishops who were loyal to the queen and supported her decisions
10
Q
What was the relationship between Parliament and Elizabeth?
A
- Parliament was made up from the house of commons and House of Lords
- Elizabeth only called Parliament 13 times in her 45 year reign , and it was mostly when she needed money
- Elizabeth believed in the divine right of monarchs, the idea that she ruled by God’s will , so she ensured when calling parliament they were limited on topics of what they could discuss, such as marriage, the succession, religion and foreign policy
11
Q
How did Elizabeth manage Parliament ?
A
- She called Parliament rarely which prevented frequent challenges to her rule
- Limited free speech, she forbade discussions on topics she saw as her royal prerogative
- Veto power, to block unwanted laws for example in 1571 she vetoed one which had introduced heavy fines for those who refused to take communion in the Church of England
- She appointed trusted ministers such as William Cecil and Robert Cecil
- She used flattery and speeches to win over MP’s and she used patronage which would keep them loyal
12
Q
Why was there pressure for Elizabeth I to marry?
A
- The main reason was to provide a heir. Elizabeth was the last of the Tudor’s and if she did not marry it could lead to the end of the Tudor dynasty. The pressure was worse when Elizabeth nearly died from chickenpox in 1562 and this seriously frightened the council. However the pressure eased when James VI was born in 1566
- Another reason was to strengthen the Monarchy, as it was believed that a Queen needed a King to support and advise her.
13
Q
Why was Robert Dudley not suitable for Elizabeth to marry?
A
- The Dudley family had a poor reputation, his father and grandfather had both been executed as traitors
- Scandal around his wife’s death, Amy Robsart had died under suspicious circumstances in 1560 as she was found dead at the bottom of a staircase and it was rumoured that Dudley was the one who had killed her, and Elizabeth recognised that if she were to marry him it would discredit her and it would too politically dangerous
14
Q
Who were Elizabeth’s suitors from outside England?
A
- Phillip II of Spain, who was previously married to Mary, and he hoped to maintain his alliance with England. Elizabeth had no intention of marrying him because she had seen the unhappiness from Mary I
- Archduke Charles of Austria, was a member of the Habsburg family , however Elizabeth rejected as he refused to become protestant
- Prince Erik of Sweden, was a protestant but was also rejected
- Francis, Duke of Anjou, who was a French Catholic Prince however he was rejected because of religious divisions
15
Q
What was the impact of marriage on domestic affairs ?
A
- Led to a succession crisis, because Elizabeth’s refusal to marry meant there was no direct heir so there was political pressure from parliament and her advisors, who repeatedly urged her to marry to secure the succession
- However Elizabeth refused to name a successor because she said that it was equivalent to being buried alive, as she believed as soon as she names a successor her life would be in danger as her enemies would use the successor as the main focus for plots
- She used her unmarried status as a political tool, flirting with marriage proposals without ever committing
16
Q
What was the impact of marriage on foreign affairs ?
A
- Formed alliances using marriage negotiations as a foreign policy strategy
- Her refusal to marry Phillip worsened relations with Catholic Spain
