1. The Elizabethan Government

Question 1

Which Mary was Elizabeth’s half sister?

Answer 1

Mary I (Bloody Mary)

Question 2

Which Mary was Elizabeth’s cousin?

Answer 2

Mary QoS

Question 3

Why was Elizabeth illegitimate- what did this mean for her?

Answer 3

Catholics didn’t recognise Henry VIII’s divorce and then marriage to Anne Boleyn.

She had no claim to the throne

Question 4

What religion was Elizabeth?

Answer 4

Protestant

Question 5

When did Elizabeth become queen

Answer 5

November 1558

Question 6

When was Elizabeth’s coronation

Answer 6

15th January 1559

Question 7

Ways Elizabeth maintained popularity

Answer 7

Public relations- Education, portraits, royal progresses,

Question 8

What was Elizabeth’s education like

Answer 8

She was well read, could read 5 languages (including Latin and Greek). She studied theology- was keen to avoid religious disputes

Question 9

What were portraits of Elizabeth like and why were they important

Answer 9

It was important for her subjects to see her.
Portraits put Elizabeth in a positive light. Themes included: majestic, immortal, youthful, wise, powerful and virgin.

Question 10

What were royal progresses and why were they important

Answer 10

Annual tours around the south of England (mainly Home Counties) in which Elizabeth’s subjects could see her.
She visited and stayed in stately homes of the nobility- it was the highest honour to be bestowed upon the rich

Question 11

What was patronage and why did nobles sought after it from the queen

Answer 11

Patronage was when nobles would give the queen their support in return for titles, land etc. nobles would work to impress the queen

Question 12

How did Elizabeth use patronage to her advantage

Answer 12

As a result of patronages, factions were formed within the royal court (e.g William Cecil vs Robert Dudley).
Elizabeth could play one faction off against another, allowing her to maintain her control

Question 13

What was the privy council

Answer 13

A body of advisors appointed by the queen and in charge of the day to day running of the country (they were her government)

Question 14

What did the local government do

Answer 14

Helped maintain law and order on a local level across the counties, in towns and parishes

Question 15

Who was the Lord Lieutenant? How many per county and who did they supervise?

Answer 15

The chief of the local officials. He was a wealthy land owner and often a privy councillor.
One per county and they supervised the work of the JPs

Question 16

Who were the Justice of the Peace (JP)? How many per county? Examples of their roles?

Answer 16

Wealthy country gentlemen responsible for maintaining the law and order on a local level on a daily basis.

Depending on size of county, there were 30-60

They were justices (judges) in courts for minor crimes, they oversaw the maintenance of highways, and they administered poor relief to the unemployed .

Question 17

Did JPs receive any money for their role?

Answer 17

No but it did award them with status and respect in their region

Question 18

Who were the lesser officers? What did they do?

Answer 18

Supported the work of the JP. Appointed by him too
Included: Parish Constable, Night Watchman, Overseers of the poor

Question 19

How many Sheriffs per county? What were his responsibilities?

Answer 19

1 per county, most of his responsibilities were now passed onto Lord Lieutenant or JP.
The sheriff was responsible for completing the documents to set up apprenticeships for young boys, fix prices and wages, and look after the poor.

Question 20

Who was the parish constable? What did he do?

Answer 20

The Parish Constable was a lesser officer. He was a tradesman or local farmer and held the unpaid post for constable for 1 year. Worked with the night watchman. Together, they were responsible for watching vagabonds, keeping order in taverns(pubs), carry out punishments, impound stray animals and prevent trespassers and poachers.

Question 21

Who was the Night Watchman? What did he do?

Answer 21

Another lesser officer who worked alongside the Parish Constable, patrolling the parish or town at night. Together, they were responsible for watching vagabonds, keeping order in taverns(pubs), carry out punishments, impound stray animals and prevent trespassers and poachers.

Question 22

Who were the overseers of the poor?

Answer 22

Another lesser officer, he collected the poor rate (tax) and distributed it to those who needed it.

Question 23

When did Elizabeth call parliament?

Answer 23

When she was short of money and needed revenue from taxes(e.g war with Spain),
Needed to pass Acts of Parliament (E.g religious settlement acts),
Or desired the support and advice of the MPs and Lords on important issues(e.g how to deal with the catholic plots).

Question 24

What topics were banned in parliament

Answer 24

Elizabeth’s marriage and