Elizabeth I's Government & Parliament Flashcards
What were the 3 main bodies of central government?
The Privy Council
The Exchequer
Small Court of the Chancery
Beneath Elizabeth, what was the most powerful organisation in the central government?
The Privy Council
When did Lord Burghley / William Cecil become Lord Treasurer?
1572
After the Norfolk Rising the nature of the council changed. In what ways did the council change in the 1570s?
There was a shift in power in the council, to moderate Protestants.
Due to this it is believed that members were broadly in agreement on most issues from the 1570s onwards.
When did the Earl of Leicester die, and why was his death significant?
September 1588
His death was significant because he was one of Elizabeth’s favourites and his death was a blow she took personally.
By 1597 how many members were in the council, and why was it this amount?
Only 11 members.
Elizabeth stopped replacing members as they died or retired. When she did eventually make replacements, she relied on middle-aged sons of former councillors.
Why did the coherence of government decline during the 1590s?
Factional Rivalry.
The promotion of the younger Robert Cecil angered the Earl of Essex who thought that he deserved the post.
What was Essex’s response to Robert Cecil being promoted and his declining influence?
To plan an armed coup which would bring down Cecil and his enemies.
What was the outcome of the Essex Rebellion in 1601?
The rebellion failed due to lack of numbers and proper strategy. Cecil was prepared and Essex was forced to surrender.
Essex was quickly tried and executed in 1601.
Which was more dominant, the House of Lords or the House of Commons?
The House of Lords
During Elizabeth’s reign, how many times was Parliament called?
13 times. 11 out of the 13 being to solve finance issues or ask for money.
What issues did parliament have influence over, and how did Elizabeth prevent their influence?
Religion - Elizabeth took her role as God’s representative seriously. It was thus her responsibility to deal with religious issues.
Foreign Policy - As head of state she thought that she should negotiate with foreign powers.
Finances - She saw the financing of government and court as none of Parliaments’ business.
Succession - She also believed that this was none of Parliaments business.
She prevented the Parliaments influence by demonstrating her Royal Prerogative.
When was Elizabeth’s Golden Speech and why was it needed?
1601, due to the break down of her relationship with Parliament over the issue of monopolies.
How many acts were passed in Elizabeth’s parliaments?
438
