Elizabethan Government Flashcards
Elizabeth believed she had the ______ right to rule
Divine
What was divine right?
The power of the monarch
Give 3 of the things that Elizabeth’s divine right meant she could do
Any 3 of declare war, call parliament and accept or reject its laws, make decisions in some legal cases, give patronage and use her power of the royal prerogative
What was patronage?
Patronage was Elizabeth’s power to appoint people to important jobs
What could Elizabeth give people when giving them patronage?
Land and grant them money, for example to fund a voyage for exploration
Why was patronage important?
To get people’s loyalty - it was a reward but could also be taken away from anyone who displeased Elizabeth
What did Elizabeth’s royal prerogative mean?
She could ban Parliament from discussing certain topics
What kind of topics could Elizabeth ban from being discussed as a result of her royal prerogative?
Things like foreign policy, her marriage and her succession
What does Elizabeth’s succession mean?
Who would be the monarch after her death
Who was the privy council chosen by?
Elizabeth
Who did the privy council consist of?
Mainly nobles
When did the privy council meet?
Every week
What did the privy council do?
Helped Elizabeth make decisions and ensure the decisions were carried out
Give 2 things that the privy council were in charge of?
Any 2 of law and order, spying, the courts and overseeing the running of Parliament
Who was the Secretary of State?
The most important Privy Councillor - advised the queen and ran the government
Who was the most significant Secretary of State?
William Cecil Lord Burghley)
What was William Cecil also known as?
Lord Burghley
William Cecil also had his own powers of _________
patronage
How many political parties were there in Elizabethan England?
0
Who could be MPs or vote in Elizabethan England?
Only wealthy landowners could be MPs or vote
What did Elizabeth sometimes do to MPs who displeased her?
Imprison them
Where did Elizabeth imprison MPs who displeased her?
In the Tower of London
How did Elizabeth ban certain topics from being discussed in Parliament?
By using her royal prerogative
True/False: Parliament was extremely powerful in Elizabethan England
False, was not as powerful as it is today
Did Elizabeth have to agree with all laws passed?
No - she could reject any laws passed
How did Parliament still have an important role?
Could grant extraordinary taxation, pass laws and advise the queen
What was extraordinary taxation?
Extra taxes to pay for things such as wars
