Elizabeth and Government Flashcards
1
Q
Neale’s Thesis - Puritan Choir
A
- thesis on whether conflict between Crown and parliament increased during Elizabeth’s reign
- his thesis focused on the role of parliament:
- parliament had increasing importance, particularly in religious matters, which encouraged more factionalism and opposition to royal authority
- the ‘Puritan Choir’, a group of Puritans in parliament, demanded more Protestant reforms for the Church
- the choir is evidence of a more organised House of Commons that was prepared to contest Elizabeth’s policies
2
Q
Evidence supporting Neale’s thesis
A
- Elizabeth was angered by the Commons due to their discussion of the succession in 1566 and religious reform in 1593
- further conflicts between the two focussed on monopolies in 1601
- 40 MPs, working together, pressed for more strongly protestant reform between 1563 and 66
- the rights of the commons was asserted:
- to have free speech, in both 1576 and 93
- to settle election dispute in Norfolk constituency in 1586
3
Q
Revisionist thesis
A
- This thesis looked at the other side of the argument as to whether conflict between Crown and parliament increased during Elizabeth’s reign
- this thesis was proposed by Elton
- he believes that there was more co-operation than conflict
- any opposition was infrequent, unorganised and never seriously challenged Elizabeth
- disagreements only took place when working out policies, not actual conflicts
- only 13 parliaments were called throughout Elizabeth’s reign
- Elizabeth ruled through the Privy Council for the rest of the time
4
Q
Evidence supporting Elton’s thesis
A
- for the most part the commons gave Elizabeth what she wanted
- the Commons and Privy council were forbidden by Elizabeth from discussing her marriage or succession
- parliament was effectively under the Privy Council and nobility’s control
- in the case of the 1586 Norfolk election, the commons conceded to the Lord Chancellor
- there wasn’t any general, concerted support for freedom of speech
5
Q
House of Lords’ power
A
- very influential in Elizabeth’s government
- 1/3 of the MPs weren’t elected but rather chosen by a peer in the House of Lords
- Many of the closest advisors to Elizabeth, such as Lord Burghley, were members of the House of Lords, not the House of Commons
6
Q
House of Commons’ power
A
- petitioned Elizabeth over issues e.g. her marriage
- Elizabeth didn’t like this, believing that it encroached on her royal prerogative
- Commons had no power to influence Elizabeth
