43. Faction Flashcards
What did William Cecil’s working relationship with elizabeth given him?
Unrivalled political power and made him a target for rival factions
What do some historians argue that divisions in the privy council were due to?
Personal rivalries based on ideological or religious differences
What did faction under elizabeth tend to arise out of?
Patronage
What did patronage lead to?
Ambitious men to unite around those they thought most likely to be able to offer prospects for advancement
When was the fall of Norfolk?
1572
What happened due to the fall of Norfolk?
Removed the last traces of ideological, pro Catholic opposition in the privy council
What fundamentals did the council agree on?
The need for the Queen to marry, the need to settle the succession, and the need to uphold Protestantism
Were Cecil’s rivals determined to cause his death?
No
Who was Cecil’s most serious rival?
Earl of Leicester, but they sometimes worked together
Who were the main rivals of cecil?
-Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester
- Thomas Radcliff, Earl of Sussex
-Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk
-Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex
Who was Thomas radcliff?
A talented soldier and administrator who was neutral in religion, but was never a royal favourite
Who was Thomas Howard?
A religious conservative who leant towards Catholicism. He disliked Cecil and Leicester, and his involvement in the ridolfi plot led to his downfall
Who was Robert Devereux?
A younger noble who’s downfall was due to the Essex rebellion
How did elizabeth prevent personal rivalries from becoming politically destabilising?
She expressed her disapproval and dismissed people from court
How did factional rivalry affect foreign policy?
Over the indecision about whether or not to aid the Dutch rebels
When was the discussion about aiding the Dutch rebels?
1570s
What did the privy council split into due to the discussion over the Dutch rebels?
The ‘hawks’ (for aid) and ‘doves’ (against)
Who were some examples of hawks?
Dudley, sir Christopher Hatton, and sir Francis Walsingham
Who were some examples of doves?
Lord Burghley and Thomas Radcliffe
Why did the doves not want to intervene?
It may lead to war with Spain, which England’s finances couldn’t sustain
Who initially won out?
The doves
When did the Queen support the hawks?
By the mid-1580s
Who was considered to be elizabeth’s own preferred candidate?
Robert Dudley
Why was bad about Dudley?
He lacked support in the council, and Cecil and others saw him as a dangerous rival
Why did Cecil and others believe Dudley was suspicious?
Due to rumours around his wife’s death
What did Cecil do about Dudley?
Drew up a private list of reasons why it would be a bad idea
When did Cecil draw up his list about Dudley?
1566
Who did Cecil press for the cause of for elizabeth’s marriage?
Archduke Charles
When did Cecil promote archduke Charles?
1564
Why did Cecil press the cause of archduke Charles?
To undermine the position of Dudley
Who else backed up the cause of archduke Charles?
The Duke of Norfolk
Who did Dudley suggest should marry Elizabeth to undermine Cecil’s proposed candidate?
The French King Charles IX
When did Dudley propose Charles IX?
1565
