Elizabethan Age

Question 1

What was the Royal Court?

Answer 1

The Royal Court was the centre of Elizabethan political power, where the queen interacted with nobles, advisors, and foreign dignitaries, displaying her authority and wealth.

Question 2

What were the key roles within the Royal Court?

Answer 2

Allowed Elizabeth to consult, challenge and seek advice from her councillors while keeping a close watch on rivalries and noblemen’s activities.

Question 3

Who was Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester?

Answer 3

A close friend and advisor to Elizabeth, Dudley held significant influence, particularly in military affairs and court politics, but faced suspicion over his ambitions.

Question 4

Name any TWO advisers who were Protestant.

Answer 4

Any two from:
William Cecil, Lord Burghley
Sir Christopher Halton
Robert Cecil
Sir Walter Raleigh

Question 5

Name TWO Puritan advisers.

Answer 5

Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester
Sir Francis Walsingham
Robert Devereux

Question 6

What role did Sir Francis Walsingham play?

Answer 6

Walsingham was Elizabeth’s principal secretary and intelligence chief, managing a network of spies and uncovering plots against the queen, including the Babington Plot.

Question 7

What were the main roles of local government?

Answer 7

Key roles included Justices of the Peace (JPs), who enforced law and order, overseers of the poor, who managed welfare, and parish officials, responsible for local administration.

Question 8

What was the role of the Overseer of the Poor?

Answer 8

The Overseer of the Poor managed local poor relief efforts, assessed the needs of the poor, and ensured support was provided, distinguishing between the deserving and undeserving poor. Also collected poor tax.

Question 9

What was the role of the night watchman?

Answer 9

The night watchman was responsible for patrolling the streets at night to maintain order, prevent crime, and keep watch for fires or disturbances.

Question 10

How did night watchmen alert the community to danger?

Answer 10

Night watchmen would carry lanterns and sometimes use bells or whistles to alert residents of any trouble or emergencies.

Question 11

What were the main responsibilities of a sheriff?

Answer 11

Sheriffs enforced the law, collected taxes, managed local jails, and oversaw the work of the justices of the peace within their jurisdiction.

Question 12

How were sheriffs appointed?

Answer 12

The crown-appointed sheriffs were usually local gentry or landowners who significantly influenced their area.

Question 13

What was the role of a parish constable?

Answer 13

The parish constable maintained peace and order within the parish, assisted in arresting offenders, and ensured local laws were enforced.

Question 14

How was a parish constable chosen?

Answer 14

Parish constables were often chosen from among the local inhabitants, typically volunteers, and were expected to serve without pay.

Question 15

What were Justices of the Peace (JPs) responsible for?

Answer 15

JPs were local magistrates tasked with maintaining law and order, hearing minor criminal cases, and overseeing local administration.

Question 16

How did JPs contribute to local governance?

Answer 16

JPs enforced local laws, handled disputes, and implemented poor relief measures, acting as the local judiciary and administrative authority.

Question 17

What was the role of the Lord Lieutenant?

Answer 17

The lord lieutenant was the monarch’s representative in a county, responsible for raising a local militia, overseeing defence, and maintaining order during emergencies.

Question 18

How was a Lord Lieutenant appointed?

Answer 18

Lord Lieutenants were typically appointed from among the local gentry and were responsible for ensuring loyalty to the crown in their region.

Question 19

What were the functions of Parliament in Elizabeth’s reign?

Answer 19

Parliament passed laws, granted taxes, and debated significant issues; however, it had limited power, as the queen could dissolve it.

Question 20

How did Elizabeth use Parliament to her advantage?

Answer 20

Elizabeth used Parliament to secure funding for her government and to reinforce her policies, often summoning it only when necessary to minimize opposition.

Question 21

What was patronage?

Answer 21

Patronage involved the distribution of favours and titles by the monarch to gain loyalty and support from the nobility and influential figures, vital for maintaining power.

Question 22

How much was the Marian Debt?

Answer 22

£227,000

Question 23

What were royal progresses, and why were they important?

Answer 23

Royal progresses were journeys made by Elizabeth to visit her subjects, reinforcing loyalty, demonstrating power, and fostering relationships with local nobility.

Question 24

How did Elizabeth use portraits as a tool of government?

Answer 24

Portraits were used to project Elizabeth’s image as a powerful, youthful monarch, reinforcing her legitimacy and authority while shaping public perception.