Elizabeth and government Flashcards
Elizabethan Goverment
What was Elizabeth’s role as queen?
-ruled England from 1558-1603
-She was extremely powerful and wise however she used different political groups in order to make her reign effective
What was the royal court?
-The centre of government
–The court helped to make decisions and maintain authority
What were the key parts of the government?
-The privy council
-Parliament
What was the privy council?
-A group of trusted advisors- a vital part of running the country they would control matters such as law, military and foreign relations
What is Parliament?
-Made up of two groups
-The house of lords
-The house of commons
-Passed laws, granted taxes and advised the queen
Who was William Cecil?
-Elizabeth’s chief advisor
-Elizabeth’s secretary of state
Who was Francis Walsingham?
-Elizabeth’s spymaster- protect Elizabeth from plots and threats such as spanish and catholic threats
Why was religious tension a challenge for Elizabethan England?
England was divided between Catholics and Protestants. Elizabeth established the Church of England to be Protestant, but many Catholics were unhappy with this.
Why were threats from foreign powers a challenge for the government?
Elizabeth had to deal with threats from countries like Spain and France, who were Catholic and didn’t like her Protestant rule
Why was Mary queen of Scots a challenge to the government?
Elizabeth’s cousin, Mary, was Catholic and many Catholics saw her as the rightful queen. This led to plots against Elizabeth’s life and her eventual execution of Mary
Conclusion of Elizabeth and her Government
The Elizabethan era was marked by Stability, cultural growth and success such as defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588
