Elizabeth and government Flashcards
1558
Cecil appointed as Secretary of State
1562
Elizabeth ill with smallpox
Dudley on PC
1563
parliamentary trouble over Queen’s marriage
1564
Dudley Earl of Leicster
1566
more trouble over Queen’s marriage
1571
Cecil made Lord Bourghley
1572
Cecil Lord treasurer
1573
Walsingham Secretary of State
1576
Issue of Free Speech
1579
Courtship with Alencon
1581-82
renewed courtship with Alencon
Why was Cecil chosen and what was his main role?
Well trained and experienced, close to Elizabeth and very careful.
Ran Royal Secretariat, chaired PC, daily adviser, drafted her proclamations
What was his influence and relationship with the Queen like?
very close and rewarded by her, she was close to his family, he was a channel for people to seek favors from the Queen
What did Cecil d with regards the Council and Admin?
secretary of state
1572- Lord treasurer
1561- Master of Wards
dealt with letters asking favors
thought succession would stop catholic plots
1560s oversaw French withdrawal from Scotland
1586- part of commission for executing MQS
How did Cecil use propaganda and intelligence?
wrote execution of Justice in 1583, oversaw punishing RCs
‘Hired pens’ to convince the Queen
Developed intelligence service for plots
Role and members of PC
Meet regularly, trusted advisers, E had regular reports on meetings, main part of govt, consider petitions and secure security.
Newbies: Parr, Cecil, Bacon, Knollys, Cave, Earl of Bedford- loyal and dedicated
Worked for Mary: Cheney, Petre- very experienced
Nobility: ensure loyalty in respective areas
Main lads: Cecil, Dudley, Bacon and Parry
Other parts of govt (court, royal prerogative, household, parliament, law courts)
Courtiers- daily access to E, displayed power and nobles enforced law in areas, relied on Dudley, Essex and Raleigh.
Prerogative- passed laws, open and close Parliament, decide Councillors and courtiers, war, settlement and patronage
Household- Privy chamber, companions and couldn’t have influence.
Parliament- controlled by arrests, vetos and delays. Council wrote agenda. P could pass laws, raise taxes and W had to ask them for subsidies.
Law Courts- law and order locally, appointed by crown and gentry, variable influence.
Main discussions on PC
intervention of Scotland, 1559- Cecil pushes sending troops will end French presence permanently
Smallpox, 1562- fail to reach succession and are divided
Marriage, 1566- Leicester and Knollys oppose Sussex’s choice of Archduke Charles
MQS, 1568- eventually E agrees with PC for a trial. PC and E were at an impasse.
Massacre @ St Barts- Cecil convinced of RC plot so guards MQS, defends South Coast and entertains French Ambassador
1570s- unity under Walsingham because of connections and general support for Protestantism.
Duke of Alencon, 1579- day long meeting, Leicester and Walsingham encourage public to protest match. Queen pulls out of negotations.
Assasination, 1584- Bond of Association in response to murder of William Body and signed by all PC.
Dutch Rebels- Leicester proposes aid in 1576 but Cecil cautious. Elizabeth avoids issue but agrees in 1584.
How did PC change?
Dudley and Howard councillors- balanced RC and Prots.
Hatton Lord Chancellor and Hunsdon joins.
balance nobles and others- later she is closer to nobles
Later- smaller, mostly officials, more interrelated so less varied opinions
General methods to control parliament.
call and dissovlve parliament eg 1566 closes it early
call them infrequently eg only 13 times
speaker a royal nominee
PC and Cecil direct parliament
She closed it quickly after subsidies
Addresses directly eg 1563- Cecil tones down her speeches
Concessions eg 1566 temporarily talk about succession
Vetos- 1571, punishment for recursants and Bills for Church Reform
Queens control of Parliament- MQS
P- speaker sympathetic to execution and bacon outlines opinion. Inter-house debates to keep up pressure. Cecil uses Ridolfi plot to push Norfolk’s execution. 1586, speeches condemning Mary and joint petition
Q- convinced by power and determination
Queens control of Parliament- Freedom of Speech
Wentworth challenges that P can’t discuss marriage, succession, religion and foreign policy in 1576
HOC stop him and imprison him- loyal to E
Queens control of Parliament- Religion
P- prepare arguments, organised w/support from Bishops for reform
Q- suspend Strickland but later returned because of outcry
Debates over parliament
Neale- controlled by individual gentry and Puritanism
Elton- common aims but some disputes, tension united to convince Queen
Current- controlled, put Queen and stability 1st