Elizabethen England Flashcards
When did she become queen?
1558
how long did she reign?
almost 45 years
when did she die
1603
which family was she frome
the tudors
since when did the tudors reign
since henry vii (7) in 1485
who was her father
henry 8th
who was her mother
anne boleyn
who was henry viii first wife
catherine of aragon
when she was born what line was she to the throne>
she was third in line
Was she ex[pected to be queen
no
what happened in 1554
she was accused of conspiring against her half sister queen mary I
what happened when she was accussed
she was placed under house arrest
what kinds of negative things would describe Elizabeth
She trusted very few people, be indecisive until she could work out all the possible consequences of all actions.
what positive things would describe Elizabeth
she was educated, confident and intelligent. She went on to become an effective and powerful leader
Why didn’t people want her to become queen?
Gender and Illigitimacy
What was the issue around gender?
The monarch was normally considered to be a man - a woman was felt to be unnatural. They also expected her to act as a figurehead with male counsellors or a husband to take control. She was determined to rule in her own right and refused to let her counsellors take over.
What was the issue with illigitimacy?
In 1533 Henry 8th divorced his first wife . Divorce is forbidden in the catholic church and hence his daughter was not legitimate to Catholics, Illegitimate children are normally allowed to inherit
What is the court represent for Elizabeth
the heart of social and political life
What was the court
the large group of people that surrounded the queen
how many people normally were in the court?
1000
can you name some of her favourites?
Robert Dudley, Christopher Hatton and Sir Walter Raleigh
Who was Robert Dudley
a favourite who was made earl of leicester
who was christopher hatton
a favourite who became lord chancellor even though he didn’t have any relevant experience
what was sir walter raleigh
a favourite who was allowed to colonise the new world as well as receiving many valuable gifts
what were courtiers expected to do
flatter elizabeth, shower her with gifts and pretend to be in love with her
what kinds of pastimes were they engaged in
plays, concerts, hunting, jousting and tennis. Balls asnd grand meals as well - not mcdonalds
what did the entertainments and fashionable clothes signify?
To impress her subjects and foreign visitors by displaying her wealth and power
What happened when Elizabeth travelled
she moved between her palaces and houses of noble men
what were these travels called?
Royal progresses and the entire court travelled with her
What did political power rely on?
Access to the Queen
Who was the center of the government
The queen
Who had the greatest power
Those closest to the Queen
What was the centre of political kife
The court
Did courtiers gold positions in government
Not necessarily but they did have power via access to the Queen
What did the competition of the courtiers to get the queen’s attention lead to
It degenerate d into cobfiict
What is patronage?
The handing out if titles offices and monopolies which gave men jncone. Elizabeth had a lot of titles to give away
What did patronage ejsure
Loyalty
What did patronage do
It made people economically dependent on her
How was patronage distributed
Widely that is to a wide range of people to ensure political stability - everyone felt they could benefit from the queen so they were less likely to rebel
Why was patronage used
It allowed the Queen to reward her courtiers without spending antly of her limited incone
What effect did patronage have
It undermined the great noble families who inherited large tracts of land as there were a large number of prior who tried on the Queen
What was the structure of Elizabethan government
Elizabeth was the head of state and advised by the privy council. Paisley existed and it raised taxes, CB padded laws and a have advice
What were the privy councils two ma n roles
To give advice to he queen and manage the administration of the government
What was the administration of government
Making sure that policies were enforced. These policies included things like religion, economy military foreign policy and the queen’s security
What was the privy council made up of
Twenty men chosen by the queen - they were her closest and most trusted advisors and many served in the council for years
Did the queen have to follow the advice of the councillors
No
Who was William cecil
Elizabeth’s principal secretary and her closest advisor
What is said of William cecil
That he was a highly skilled administrator and politicians. Some have argued that Elizabeth’s success was due to William as well as her
What title was given to Henry cicl
Lord burghley
What role in government did Elizabeth give William cecil
Lord high treasurer - it allowed him to control the royal fkannces
Name Elizabeth’s other key advisors
Nicholas bacon - lord chancellor and Francis Walsingham who was principals secretary
What was the structure of plarljan
House of lord unelected nobility church men
Host of commons elected buy men with s certain amount of property
The crown controlled who go elected in some areas as well as some powerful local figures
What were parliament’s main functions
Advice taxation and legislation
Explain parliament giving advice
Parliament was an important point of contact between Central government and local government and so they could gauge the mood of these population
Explain parliament raising taxes
When the queen needed extra money she needed parliament permission to raise taxes
How did parliament raise legislation
The queen needed parliament s approval to pass new laws - she could get around t using royal proclamations
What are the main difference between parliament then and now
It was a secondary part of government and sessions were temporary occasional and powers were likited
What could Elizabeth do to parliament
To summon and dismiss parliament
Did she like using parliament
No she called 13 sessions in her 44 year rule
What parliament free to debate what it looked?
No it needed the queen’s permission to debate religion succession and foreign policy
On the whole what did parliament discuss
Local matter, social or economic issues which it could discuss without royal permission
What did Elizabeth believe about herself?
That she believe in divine right - that rulers were sent by God to govern and this lead to the royal prerogatice to rule without interference of parliament
What did the privy council do
It works between the queen and parliament
How did William operate in the privy council
He was effective at getting MPs to support the queen’s policies
What did some of the privy councillors do
They say I parliament and acted as royal spokesmen as well as steering debate in favour of riyal policies
What did the speaker do
Her kept order and was chosen by the queen and monitored by the privy council
Did Elizabeth ever speak in parliament
Yes and she was considered to be a strong public speaker
Did parliament agree with elizabeth
Not necessarily they wanted her to get married and provide an heir - some puritans wanted to challenge the religious settlement and make England more orotestant. They were also worried about Mary Queen of Scots and the Catholic plots surrounding her . They wanted her to take action against her.
Did parliament agree with elizabeth
Not necessarily they wanted her to get married and provide an heir - some puritans wanted to challenge the religious settlement and make England more orotestant. They were also worried about Mary Queen of Scots and the Catholic plots surrounding her . They wanted her to take action against her.
