Elizabeth I: Government - Key Ministers and the Privy Council Flashcards
Who were the Key Ministers under Elizabeth
William Cecil
Francis Walsingham
Robert Cecil
Robert Dudley
What posts did William Cecil hold
1571 - Lord Burghley
Secretary of State
1572 - Lord Treasurer until 1598
Significance of William Cecil
He was Elizabeths Chief Advisor and supervised the whole of English administration
What posts did Francis Walsingham hold
Secretary of State until 1590
Significance of Francis Walsingham
Walsingham had a talent for uncovering Catholic threats
What did Francis Walsingham expose
Mary Queen of Scots involvement in the Babington plots
What post did Robert Cecil hold
1590 - 1603, secretary of State
Who did Robert Cecil clash with
The Earl of Essex over who should be master of the Court of Wards. He won and was dominant in government, involved in the succession to James
What post did Robert Dudley hold
The Earl of Leicester
What did Robert Dudley command in 1585
The english army to the Netherlands
What did Robert Dudley accept when in the Netherlands and what was the consequence of this
The title ‘Governor of the Netherlands’ in 1586
He was recalled in 1587 because he spent much money and a lot of time - he executed a member of an important house and lost alot of support from Polituques
How was factionalism prevented
No single minister had complete control of patronage
Why was factionalism occasionally encouraged
It offered different ideas about a situation which Elizabeth could use masterfully to come to a solution
How did Elizabeth treat Patronage
Very carefully to gain and retain the loyalty of the politically important members of society - created a wide and trusted circle
How many titles did Elizabeth grant across the reign
Elizabeth granted 18 titles during her reign and there were fewer nobles in 1603 than in 1558
Who was the most powerful member of the Privy Council
William Cecil - but no where near the power of Wolsey/Cromwell
What were the key functions of the Privy Council
- Enforce laws and regulations. e.g. Vagrancy, prices, wages
- Enforce the religious settlement of 1559 - ensuring compliant JPs
- Oversee appeals from other Courts, e.g. North, Wales etc.
- Manage state finances
- Discuss matters of state and provide advice
- Administer the realm through official appointments
