Elziabeth Government Flashcards
What were the 2 main areas of court
Privy chamber
Presence chamber
Who could go in the presence chamber
Anyone with status or connection
Who could go in the privy chamber
More private and important people
Change -
Less influential as gentleman of the privy chamber didn’t have access to the queen
What did the lord chamberlain have to do
Operation of jurisdiction of court
Always nobility and often family
Eg Lord Hudson 1585
What was royal court for
Part theatre part patronage
- ceremonial aspects became more important
- historian haigh argues she turns her politicians into courtiers and courtiers into politicians
What did Elizabeth want to do with court
She wanted to rule as well as reign
What was the privy council
Where the total ministers came together for policy advice administration
NOT that important as Elizabeth often asked for advice on an individual basis
What were the functions of the privy council (7)
State/policy advice
Manage finance
Oversee appeals
Administer the realm by instructing officials
Enforce law
Enforce 1559 religious settlement
Oversee national defence
When did the council become weak
1580s
Why did the council become weak
Quick succession of death (eg Cecil in 1588)
Didn’t replace quick enough or when she did she put their inexperienced sons in their places
Refused Cecil to retire
Absence of senior noblemen
Why did court relations break down in 1587
Execution of MQS
What happened in the 1570s regarding parliament
Privy chamber undergoes reshaping
- more Protestants
- less conservatives
- addition of walsingham , earl of Warwick
When does Robert Dudley join the council
1562
Who was Elizabeth’s key minister
William Cecil - also called lord burghley
Replaced by SON Robert Cecil in 1588 when he dies
How were factional rivalries reduced
Structure of Elizabeth’s gov -
No single minster had control over patronage
Influential families balanced one another as family connections would overcome religious difficulties
