Elizabeth: the nature of monarchy, government and Parliament

Question 1

The court

Answer 1

• existed wherever the queen was
• Two main areas:
• Presence chamber-Where the monarch might be seen
• Privy chamber-access was guarded
• Ceremonial aspects of court became a means of control:
• Elizabeth turned many politicians into courtiers
• Use of court for private rituals like masquerades enforcing the idea of Gloriana
• being present at court was vital for courtiers to gain patronage and influence ideas
• People were given the chance to see the monarch during the summer when the court would embark on royal progress tours (though it was mostly confined to home counties, the south and east Anglia)

Question 2

Privy council and its ministers

Answer 2

• Chosen from the advisors Travelling with Liz as she travelled
• no more than a dozen at a time
• she did not attend meetings or have to accept their advise but rarely out right ignored it
• The council met regularly; daily when there were difficulties to stay on top of events
• 3 main groups:
• Nobility (seen as the natural advisors)
• Those with experience from previous monarchs (she was willing to use people who had served under Mary who had a particular expertise)
• Those Elizabeth considered suitable
• New appointments were from those who were loyal to her
• she tried to maintain a balance of opinion but by the end of her reign, the council was smaller.
  Issues discussed
• 1562: illness of the queen
• Possibility of marriage to Alencon
• Management of MQoS
• Assassination of William of Orange
• mundane matters like food supplies and road conditions
• core team were William Cecil, Leicester, Walsingham and at times Hatton and Sussex

Question 3

William cecil

Answer 3

• served for 40 yrs and was succeeded by his son 1598
• created an intelligence service
• managed HOC and HOL
• created a propaganda system
• Drafted Elizabeth’s correspondence with foreign ambassadors
• ensured efficiency of Privy council
• Pursued prudent economic policy so Elizabeth died with little debt
• ensured effective finance and administration during war with Spain