1.1 Elizabethan England 1558

Question 1

What was the structure of society in England and where was the Queen placed?

Answer 1

• It was Hierarchical and this was also seen in the way that the country was governed.
• The Queen was the head of society and gov - made all major decisions.

Question 2

What was the Royal Court?

Answer 2

• It was the centre of all political power in Eliz’s reign.

- Her chief advisers and key gov officials all attended.

Question 3

What was the Privy Council?

Answer 3

• It was a committee of ministers appointed by Eliz to advise her.
• She appointed 19 leading nobles and the Council met several times a week and offered advice to the Queen.

Question 4

What were the Nobles’ roles?

Answer 4

• They were expected to deal with crime and unrest in their lands.
• Nobles would be army commander in time or war.

Question 5

Gentry were beneath Nobles, what were their roles?

Answer 5

• They were lesser nobles, knights and lawyers.

- Helped to run local government - acted as judges and sheriffs

Question 6

What were Merchants?

Answer 6

Helped to run local gov.

Question 7

What were the Yeomen’s roles?

Answer 7

• They owned their land

- Had servants and could vote in Parliament if they can prove ownership of land

Question 8

What was Parliament’s roles?

Answer 8

• It was only called occasionally by Eliz.
• Main motive for calling was usually financial
• Eliz needed Parliament to grant money from taxes to pay for running of and defence of the country
• Was only in session 9 nine times in the years 1558-88 where taxes were granted

Question 9

What was the Parliament made of?

Answer 9

• House of Lords, which consisted of about 100 Lords, bishops and judges
• House of Common, which was the lower house of Parliament consisting of 450 MPs elected by wealthy landowners

Question 10

Who was at the base?

Answer 10

Labourers, servants and the poor who had no say in the running of the country