Elizabeth's government Flashcards
Who was the most influential minister?
William Cecil
What was the significance of William Cecil becoming Lord Treasurer?
It made it easier- no longer having to deal with bureaucratic pressures. The significance of his role remained the same
What was Cecil’s approach to the royal expenditure?
Conservative.
When did reshaping of the Privy Council take place?
1570s
How did the Privy Council start to change?
Influence of the traditional conservative aristocracy was reduced with the downfall and execution of Norfolk and the death of Lord Treasurer Winchester
Has the changes to the privy council changed its effectiveness?
No. Little changed.
What have some argued the execution of MQS caused the changes to the relations between PC and Elizabeth?
Some argue that there was a break down in relations after the execution in 1587
How did Elizabeth give rewards to her councillors?
Bestowing honours/grants/ selling crown lands Granting monopolies
How did the issues of the councillors cause Elizabeths authority to be undermined?
Increased factional rivalry which began to be uncontrollable Abuse of monopolies caused deterioration in relations
How did uncontrollable issues of age and time cause Elizabeths authority to be undermined?
Elizabeth and Burghley were ageing Deaths of many close advisers so she suffered major blow
Who were the entourage?
Courtiers (e.g. Dudley, Essex, Walsingham) - the ‘fun’ ones
Who were the Politicians?
Ministers based on ability (e.g. William Cecil and Robert Cecil)
What was a patronage?
Offered roles as rewards. Helped families, set up entourage/ retinue followers
What was the significance of the Presence Chamber?
Had guarded access Turned to them for decisions, private rituals and reinforcement of Gloriana. Their presence impacted decisions and patronage
What was the significance of the Privy Council?
Help mediate control of events Members were people like to mobility and experienced and suitable
What did the Privy Council discuss throughout Elizabeths reign?
Elizabeths illness in 1562 Possibility of marriage Mary Queen of Scots’ assassination William Orange and Dutch rebels Mundane matters like road conditions and food supplies
What did William Cecil do that proves that he was important?
Created the Intelligent service Managed house of Commons and Lords Created Propaganda system Ensured Privy Council was efficient Work rate was incredible
What foreign affair did Willian Cecil deal with?
Ensured finance and administration were effective during War with Spain Drafted Elizabeths correspondence with foreign ambassador
What is the difference between the House of Lords and House of Commons?
House of Commons used to be the most important. But Cecil was promoted a lord as a parliamentary manager. As a lord, business increased and the lords were to put pressure on the Commons through its collective social weight
How did Elizabeth deal with Privy Council when she started her reign?
Kept existing council and government structures but selected on basis of ability (even meant keeping those from previous reign as experience meant stability)
How did Elizabeth deal with the Country’s religion? What did it mean for some of her relationships?
Restored Edwards protestantism reflecting her own religious preferences and win support of politically power classes In London but might damage relations with other Catholic countries
How did Elizabeth deal with Foreign Policy with France when she acceeded?
peace negotiations with France. accepted loss of France despite Public opinion disagreed
How did Elizabeth use her gender?
Manipulated- knew how men thought Men underestimated her which she took advantage of- out-witting, play by their misjudgement to get them to do what she wants/ use it as an excuse Controlled nobles being flirty and feisty- generating the romanticised damsel in destress
What tactics did Elizabeth use to maintain control with her government in court?
Participated in discussions- making accurate notes in small groups (to prevent confrontation) Promoted division among council and to compete for reward- to prevent uprising. Plus opposing views and advice meant more to chose from in decision making
When did Elizabeth appoint a smaller Privy Council?
1558
What tactics did Elizabeth use to maintain control with her government outside of court?
Consulted with men outside councils such as foreign ambassadors to help reputation of a listener Displayed anger/ violence and affection to balance Used Cecil a lot - persuasive and a great influence of Elizabeths intellect
What examples are there of Elizabeth using anger/ violence for control?
Exclusion from court (Dudley and Walsingham) House arrest (Arundel) Imprisonment (Davidson and Croft) Execution (Norfolk and Essex)
What were the issues surrounding Elizabeths gender?
Women were seen as secondary to men. Councillors were scared of losing their job if she handed political power to a husband Men would easily blame her gender on issues as God’s punishment
What were the issues surrounding Elizabeths and succession?
Producing a son was a priority for an heir Eventually she became the Virgin Queen
What were the issues surrounding the possibility of Elizabeth getting married?
Dudley was too close to scandal Foreigners weren’t good as too much to lose, would be dragged into wars, risk of national dependence, xenophobia
How did she flip the perceptions of her female duties over marriage? (quotes)
‘I will have but one mistress and no master’ ‘You are both King and Queen’ She didn’t seek to change the sixteenth century stereotype but to escape it
How did she flip the perceptions of being a woman? (quote)
‘I know I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart of a king’
Who were the foreign candidates for marriage? What were the pros and cons of them?
Philip II (Powerful but Catholic, opposing aims, Mary’s ex) Eric of Sweden (Protestant but not powerful) Francois Duke of Anju (not a leader, Catholic but E liked him- had to be excused for the people)
What was the pros and cons of marrying a foreigner?
Away from home (-) Increase in power (+) Gain in territory and secure resources (+) Dragged into wars (-) Xenophobia (-) Risk over heirs (-)
Who were the English noble candidates for marriage? What were the pros and cons of them?
Dudley (Son of a traitor, not trusted, scandalous, E liked him) Essex (E found attractive, coddled him, turned his back on her, burst on her changing- power went to head)
What was the pros of marrying an English noble?
English blooded heir Easily acceptable Supportive husband Protestant
What was the cons of marrying an English noble?
Not as powerful Noble jealousy Power given to husband or have to change laws and social norms
Pros of marriage?
Provided heir (otherwise not fulfilling duty) Get more power from husband Respect from the wealthy for following women’s duty Otherwise considered selfish for putting herself in front of the country
Cons of marriage?
Her personality may be troubling Lose power from marriage Mother role takes over her authoritative role - childbirth being dangerous and if survived, deprived History of unhappy marriages in her childhood
What caused panic from Parliament and Privy Council over Elizabeths succession?
Small Pox in 1562- scary as she didn’t name an heir Parliaments pressure to nag, beg, suggest possible husbands and beg to kill MQS- Elizabeth responded with it being her royal prerogative
What was the reality for Elizabeth in regards to succession?
As a female ruler, single life meant full control. It did face practical issues like being Head of the Church, being in a male dominant environment, etc. If she did marry it had to be approved by Privy Council. Her personal was key to her leadership and needed her councillors and network for advice. But there would always be difficulty with the treaty of marriage.
How was Elizabeth successful with Mary Queen of Scots?
Execution meant protecting protestantism as if she did name MQS then she would receive serious Catholic threat. It was justified as she was patient with Mary during the plots
How was Elizabeth successful with James succession?
He was the unnamed successor- making the succession not traditional but it was still peaceful and avoided outcry (despite the complexity of it). T Treaty of Berwick
What was the significance of Elizabeth getting smallpox in 1562?
It scared the country Furthered the discomfort and distress of not knowing
How was Elizabeth unsuccessful with James succession?
James was Scottish Him being the unnamed successor distressed the public and people risked their lives to talk to him about the succession
What was the significance of Elizabeths royal prerogative ?
She had control and her authority was secure But, she expected things to settle on their own, acting as an ostrich
How did Elizabeth handle Scotland overall?
Supported Scottish protestants and nobles- encouraging them to drive the French out
How did Elizabeth handle Succession overall?
Played for time, waited for decision to pass Refused to name successor in fear of encouraging plots/ loss of interest
How did Elizabeth handle Dudley’s scandal overall?
Refused to marry him after discovery of wifes death. Kept him in court and the favourite. Promoted him although it caused jealousy
How did Elizabeth handle Increasing Trade overall?
Found new overseas markets
How did Elizabeth handle the Cost of Government overall?
Borrowed money with reduced level of interest- making up for shortfall of taxations
How did Elizabeth handle Aristocracy overall?
Gained support Exercised limited patronage and power in regions Included some aristocrats in council and encouraged them to come
How did Elizabeth handle JPs overall?
Used gentry class as JP’s . Extended gentry’s powers and rely on their love of status as guarantee of loyalty instead of paying them
How did Elizabeth handle MPs in Parliament overall?
Relations with parliament- controlling MPs through dismissing commons, imprisonment to play for time and avoided decisions
How did Elizabeth handle Military Force overall?
Made all tactical decisions herself despite lack of experience and being cautious and indecisive
Who were members of the local government?
JP’s
Sheriffs
Local officers
Lord Lietenants
What was the significance of the Local Government for Elizabeth?
She needed to control powerful local families. By linking them between central government and local it enabled her to enforce policy and maintain law and order.
How did Central government control Local government?
Varied strategies:
Propaganda to persuade those who served their own interest
Create competition for political power.
Used for financial benefits- supplementing income
Used for fueds between RC and Essex
To what extent were the Local governments successful?
JP’s were unwilling to carry out duties as they were unpaid. So actual work was impressive.
In the 1590s, Central Government faced a decline in power which was reflected in the local government.
Represented interests of politically active classes.
How did the balance of power change with a female monarch?
She is able to shut men away from her Privy Chamber. Women are who can be with her the entire time- men have to be called.
