Elizabeth government

Question 1

privy council?

Answer 1

• main ministers came together (19)
• met twice a week
• E often spoke to individuals privately
• only FP + MQS required lengthy discussions
• some disagreements but never struggles for power
• small ➡️ improved efficiency + allowed E to be active ruler

Question 2

what were the key functions of the privy council?

Answer 2

• acted as court of law (when sitting at the Star Chamber)
• offered policy advice to the queen
• enforced religious settlement of 1559 (required JP’s to investigate compliance)
• national defence, supervising operation of trained bands in counties + served as lord lieutenants w/ militia responsibilites
• enforce law and order
• instruct officials such as lord lietenants, sheriffs, JPs)
• manage crown finances
• manage parliament

Question 3

who was William Cecil?

Answer 3

• established as E key minister at the beginign of her reign + came to dominate the council
• Spanish ambassador, ‘the man who does everything’ within a month of E’s reign
• favoured by E;
• administratvie skills
• political views aligned with hers
• relatively consdervative

Question 4

key members of the privy council?

Answer 4

• Cecil
• Nichola Bacon
• Francis Russel (Earl of Bedford)
• Francis Knolly
  conversative ministers:
• Young Thomas Howard (Norfolk)
• Lord Treasurere the Marquis of Winchester
• The Earls of Sussex + Shrewsbury
• Robert Dudley (Earl of Leicster) ➡️ E’s favourite

Question 5

why did the council weaken in 1580’s?

Answer 5

• a number of minister deaths in quick succession:
• death of Leicester (E took personally)
• by 1597 the council only had 11 members ➡️ made worse as weren’t immediately replaced (farthers son who often didn’t have same skills)
• didn’t let Cecil retire ➡️ appointed his son Robert

Question 6

how was faction rivalry prevented?

Answer 6

• no single minster had control of patronage
• various influentail families at Court (balanced)
• relatcies of Boleyns and the Parrs featured in senior ranks of Crown services
• family connections were able to overcome religious differences
  ❌
• success declined during 1590’s when fierce slashed between Cecil + the Earl of Essex made governances difficult ➡️ essex rebellion

Question 7

parliament?

Answer 7

• less important under E than it would become in 17th C + than HVIII
• E tended to regard parliament as a necessary
• occasionally important for legislative + revenue purposes as it was largely a secondary feature of Es political system

Question 8

why was parlaiment called?

Answer 8

1. grant subsidies
2. religion
3. national security/army
4. social policy
   ➡️ in total 438 Acts passed by E’s parliament
   - Act of supremacy + unifromity
   - penal laws against Catholics
   - Acts of 1596 and 1601 adressing poor relief

Question 9

how was parliament managed?

Answer 9

• Cecil played an important role
• Privy councilors often began parliamentary sessions by setting the tone + outlining the Crown’s priorities
• parliamnet annoyed E on many occasions (royal prerogative)