Elizabeth 2 Flashcards
Role of the court
The centre of all political and social issues in England
How did Elizabeth use the court?
To build up a system of her most trusted, loyal advisors who would rely on her to maintain their titles
Who was Elizabeth’s most trusted advisor?
William Cecil
When and what title did William Cecil gain?
Lord Burghley
1573
Elizabeth’s longest serving minister
Who was William Cecil’s son and when did he take over his father’s role?
Robert Cecil
Took the title of lord Burghley in 1596
Who were two other advisors who developed close relations with Elizabeth?
Christopher Hatton
Walter Raleigh
Both resented by the nobility
Which of Elizabeth’s advisors was a staunch protestant?
Francis Walsingham
Key acts of Francis Walsingham
Built up an extensive spy network
Key role in the execution of Mary Queen of Scots
What was patronage?
Rewarding subjects with land, titles and monopolies to ensure loyalty
How often did Elizabeth use patronage?
Used patronage sparingly - being granted an office by the monarch was seen as one of the most rewarding gifts. She only granted 18 titles during her reign and by the end of her reign there were less members of the nobility than there had been at the beginning
Who were 2 key members of the nobility?
Robert Dudley
Earl of Essex
What title was Robert Dudley granted and when?
Earl of Leicester
1564
(example of patronage)
Who was Elizabeth’s favourite noble?
Earl of Essex
Who could patronage be granted by?
The Queen or her key ministers
Why did Elizabeth favour Cecil?
His administrative skills
Cecil’s political views?
Conservative and focussed on maintaining stability - in line with Elizabeth’s views
How did Elizabeth use her ministers?
Advised her on what to do - didn’t tell her what to do as
Elizabeth believed she had a ‘divine right to rule’
Also helped to shape her image as a powerful, protestant who could overcome images associated with her sex through propaganda - portrayed to her subjects and to foreigners
What did a ‘divine right’ to rule mean?
Elizabeth had been chosen by God to rule
How was the Queen’s image shaped through propaganda?
Elizabeth’s ministers helped portray her as a powerful, protestant Queen who could overcome the weaknesses associated with her sex. This was portrayed to her ministers and to foreigners
How was Elizabeth’s refusal to marry associated with the country?
Often said her ‘impregnable body’ respresented an ‘impregnable’, secure, unconquerable country
What did Elizabeth have a reputation as?
The virgin Queen
What dominated politics for years through Elizabeth’s reign?
The succession crisis
Elizabeth remained unmarried and did not produce an heir
What act did Cecil implement in response to the throckmorton plot?
The bond of association
What did the Throckmorton plot involve?
A plan to assassinate the virgin queen
When was the bond of association act implemented and what did it involve?
1583
The agreement that if Elizabeth was assassinated
- Her advisors had the right to execute her murderer
- Her advisors had the right to choose the next successor to the throne
Who was the last suitor for Elizabeth?
Duke of Anjou
Courted Elizabeth in 1579
Who was the Duke of Anjou?
French catholic
Last suitor for E to marry - courted Elizabeth in 1579
Opposition to the Duke of Anjou
- Disliked by the protestant faction at court as he was a French Catholic. Convinced E not to marry him by emphasising her sieve portrait and her reputation as a virgin Queen
- Cecil spread rumours about Anjou at court in hope this would make Elizabeth fall out of love with him
Did Elizabeth love Anjou?
Evident she liked him, she gave him the nickname of her ‘little frog’
He showered her with luxurious gifts
However, unknown if she actually wanted to marry the duke
How did the protestant faction at court convince Elizabeth not to marry Anjou?
Through emphasising her sieve portrait and her reputation as the ‘virgin queen’. Many believed her reputation as the ‘impregnable queen’ represented England’s image as the ‘impregnable country’
Who was Elizabeth repeatedly pressured by to name a successor?
Parliament
Why didn’t Elizabeth name a successor?
Strategic reasons
What were the strategic reasons that Elizabeth chose not to name a successor?
To maintain her position of power, and her survival as the monarch.
- there had been several attempts during her reign for the assassination of Elizabeth e.g. Throckmorton plot. if E was to establish a named successor this could potentially encourage pretenders to attempt to overthrow her in favour of the successor.
- She also believed parliament did not have the right to tell her what to do. She ruled under a ‘divine right’ and used her powers to ban Parliament from speaking of the matter
How did Elizabeth prevent parliament from discussing the issue of the succession?
Through using her power to forbid parliament from discussing the matter
Why did she not like parliament discussing the matter of her succession?
She believed they did not have the right to tell her what to do. She ruled under a ‘divine right’.
Why were parliament so fixed on the issue of Elizabeth naming a successor to the throne?
They believed if she did not name a successor England would be led into a civil war
What was the Throckmorton plot?
A plot in 1583 to assassinate and overthrow Elizabeth through the invasion of England by the duke of Guise
Who invaded England at the Throckmorton plot?
Duke of guise
When was the Throckmorton plot?
1583
Result of the throckmorton plot
terrified Elizabeth’s ministers
Cecil established the bond association act which gave her ministers the right to execute the killer and choose a successor to the throne in the event of elizabeth’s death
Why was the bond of association written?
In the event of the Queen’s murder and she had not chosen a successor
Who was Mary Queen of Scots?
Elizabeth’s cousin, she was next in line to the throne
Why was Mary Queen of Scots being present in England a problem?
She was Catholic and as a result had the support of many catholics living in England - some believed her claim to the throne was stronger than Elizabeth’s given the fact that she had married Lord Darnley
What was the problem with showing support for MQS as the next claimant to the throne?
Supporting Mary would be an attack on a friendly, protestant Scottish government - Mary was E’s cousin but this was too much of a risk.
Naming a successor could also provoke devoted Catholics into rebellion in attempt to try and place Mary on the throne - maintaining her position of power and status as Queen