4.1 Elizabeth's Government Flashcards
What was the Royal Prerogative?
This prevented members of Elizabeth’s Council from discussing Elizabeth’s marriage or succession.
What was Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester’s role?
He was made Master of the Horse in 1558 and a Privy Council member in 1562.
Promoted to the Earl of Leicester in 1564.
Urged for Mary Queen of Scot’s execution in the 1580s.
Led the English Campaign in support of the Dutch Revolt from 1585-1587 and commanded the English land forces during the Armada.
Died in 1588.
What was William Cecil, Baron of Burghley’s role?
He was appointed Lord Treasurer in 1572 and Secretary of State twice.
Cecil wanted a fully united British Isles.
In 1560 he intervened with Scotland via the Treaty of Edinburgh.
Leicester and Norfolk attempted to remove him in 1568 but ultimately failed.
Died in 1598.
What was Sir Francis Walsingham’s role?
He was appointed Ambassador of France in 1570.
He was in charge of international espionage and helped to mask Sir Francis Drake’s raid on Cadiz harbour.
He unmasked the Babington Plot in 1586.
Died in 1590.
What was Robert Cecil’s, Earl of Salisbury role?
He entered the House of Commons in 1584.
He gained Elizabeth’s favour in the 1590s, which angered Devereux.
He advised James VI of Scotland with ways of cultivating Elizabeth’s favour for succession in 1601.
Died in 1612.
What was Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex’s role?
He succeeded his stepfather, Dudley, Earl of Leicester.
He fought bravely against the Spanish in the Netherlands in 1586.
1591-92: Commanded forces in France to help Henry IV’s campaign against French Roman Catholic.
1593: Made a Privy Councillor
1599: Formed a peace treaty with the Earl of Tyrone in Ireland, which made him fall out of favour with the Queen.
1601: Unsuccessfully attempted to launch a rebellion, surrendered and was executed for treason.
What factional rivalries affected the Elizabeth’s Council?
Cecil and Leicester disagreed often, especially over the Queen’s marriage. However, they still tended to cooperate because they needed each others power.
The Coherence of Elizabeth’s Government dwindled in the 1590s, with fierce clashes between Robert Cecil and Essex. Cecil and his allies managed to freeze Essex’s input in court, declining his power and ultimately led to Essex’s fall in Essex’s Rebellion.
What disputes were there between Elizabeth and her Parliament?
In 1563 and 1566, when the House of Common’s attempted to debate the issues of Elizabeth’s marriage and succession, she vented outbursts of irritation and refused the royal assent over bills which had past through both houses.
Over her whole reign, she refused the royal assent of 60 bills, 15 of which in 1585 alone.
In 1593 Archbishop Whitgift sought for a passing of a punitive act against secretaries despite its unpopularity with ministers close to the Queen. One of Cecil’s associates retaliated with criticism which the Queen took personally, barring his advancement.
In 1593 Peter Wentworth was imprisoned in the tower for arguing for a named successor.
