Elizabeth and her Government Flashcards
Who were Elizabeth’s parents?
Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn
How did Elizabeth ascend the throne?
When Henry VIII died, Edward VI took the throne at age 9, but died when he was 15. Mary (Anne’s half sister) became Queen and put Elizabeth in jail for ‘rebelling’ against her. When Mary died without any children, Elizabeth became Queen
When did Elizabeth become Queen?
1558
Define Court
People close to the Queen, who could influence her on important decisions
Define Privy council
Debated issues, oversaw laws, money and parliament. Chosen by Liz
Define parliament
House of Lords and Commons:
- passed laws
- gave permission for extra taxes
Define lord lieutenant
In charge of training local military forces
Define Justices of Peace
Landowners who kept law and order in their local area
What was the Divine Right of Kings?
Believed they had the right to run a country because of the ‘grace of God’
What was the Royal Prerogative?
Only the Queen had the right to discuss certain issues
Define the position of ‘secretary of state’ and name an example
The second in charge, advised the Queen on important matters, such as Sir William Cecil
What was the difference between the Gentry and the Nobility?
Gentry: wealthy who owned lots of land
Nobility: had titles and included royalty
Describe the Royal Court
- run by Lord Chamberlain
- Consisted of the Queen’s household} 500 nobles, advisors, offiicals and servants
- Court = centre of political power
Describe who William Cecil was
- secretary of state + E;izabeth’s most trusted adviser
- key role in developing poor laws and religious policies
- protestant - encouraged her to fight against Catholic Rivals + to take Ireland
Describe who Francis Walsingham was
- Secretary of state (post Cecil) + Liz spy master - had a network of informers
- in charge of foreign affairs + key role in the execution of Mary Queen of Scots
Describe who Duke of Norfolk was
- Liz second cousin + richest and most powerful noble in the country
- Lord Lieutenant of the North, involved in a plot against Liz
Describe who Robert Dudley was
- childhood friend
- rumours of his and Liz <3
- responsible for Liz personal safety
- Earl of Leicester
What were progresses?
Travelled around the country, staying at rich people’s houses
→ allowed the Queen to maintain bonds with her courtiers + nobility
→ allowed palace to be fumigated when Liz was away } reduce risk of plague
What was patronage?
Favouritism of certain individuals - made all loyal to Liz and each other competitors
How many times was Parliament called during Liz’s reign?
13 times, mainly to discuss taxes
How did Liz maintain control over Parliament?
- imprisoned awkward MPs: Peter Wentworth
- could dissolve Parliament any time she wanted
- Royal Veto
- attended Parliament when she needed a new law passed
List Liz’s problems
- Legitamacy: legitimate claim to the throne?
- marriage and gender
- finances - England in debt of £300,000
- France and Scotland’s new alliance
- Mary lost Calais to France
- Religion
What were the advantages of marriage?
- Heir would make England’s future more stable
- would strengthen Liz’s position
- alliance with a foreign country/ powerful English family
What were the disadvantages of marriage?
- threat of losing power
- marrying foreign king/ prince = England under their control
Who were Liz’s potential suitors?
- Robert Dudley
- Francis, Duke of Anjou
- King Phillip II of Spain
Why were the 1590s known as the ‘years of decline’?
England was plagued with
- harvest failure
- plague
- poverty
- war
Patronage system had failed and much of the Queen’s privy council had died. Queen became depressed
Who was behind the Essex Rebellion?
Earl of Essex - Robert Devereux
What were the causes of the Essex rebellion?
- Essex’s actions had often angered the Queen - led to his banishment from Court
- When he learnt that Cecil had been promoted, he burst into Elizabeth’s chambers before she was wigged or gowned } this placed him under house arrest
Describe the events of the Essex rebellion
- Gathered 300 supporters + began to fortify his mansion
- stormed to Ldn to capture the Queen
Describe the consequences of the Essex Rebellion
- Rumours of treason and rebellion began to spread
- PC busted his house and were held as hostages instead
- Government responded quickly, only lasted 12 hours
- most of his supporters desserted him after being offered a royal pardon
- executed in 1601 @ the Tower of London
What was the Suffolk claim to the throne?
Descendents of Henry VIII’s youngest sister Mary, Duchess of Suffolk
→ granddaughter Lady Jane Grey already executed but Lady Catherine and Lady Mary remaining
→ Both Protestant
What was the Stuart claim to the throne?
Descendents of Henry VIII’s eldest sister } Margaret Queen of Scotland
→ Mary, Queen of Scots had a stronger claim, she was a devout Catholic
Why was succession an issue?
Liz nearly died of smallpox and didn’t have any children, so England would be vulnerable to takeover after her death if she didn’t sort this out
What was the resolution to the succession issue?
Scottish King, James VI claimed the throne
→ his claim was recognised by Cecil, but Liz refused to actually name him heir
→ Cecil arranged for an easy transition
→ began Stuart reign
