Elizabethan government, 1563-1603

Question 1

Why did the structure of Elizabeth’s government mean that factional rivalry never got out of hand?

Answer 1

No minister had complete control over patronage and the various influential families balanced eachother out at court and in the council

Question 2

What was the presence chamber?

Answer 2

Open area of government where anyone with the right status or connections could have access

Question 3

What was the privy chamber?

Answer 3

More private and important area of government

Question 4

Was the privy council very significant?

Answer 4

No Elizabeth made the most important decisions with ministers on an individual basis

Question 5

Who was Elizabeth’s key minister at the beginning of the reign?

Answer 5

William Cecil

Question 6

Who was a key conservative member of the council?

Answer 6

The Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Howard. His downfall and execution in 1571 for involvement in the Ridolfi plot represented a decline in conservatism on the council

Question 7

What are some things which weakened the council in the 1580s?

Answer 7

• a number of ministers died in quick succession like the Earl of Leicester in 1588, losing many administratively able ministers
• the Queen failed to make immediate replacements to the council
• lacked senior noblemen suggesting the council no longer included the country’s most important families
• refused to allow William Cecil to reitre despite his effectiveness diminishing
• promotion of Robert Cecil angered Essex by