GCSE History OCR B (The Elizabethans 1580 - 1603) Section 2: The royal court, Parliament and the Essex Rebellion

Question 1

Define the key term “royal court”

Answer 1

The royal court was the group of nobles and privy councillors who surrounded the queen

Question 2

Name 3 activates that people would do for entertainment at the royal court.

Answer 2

Jousting tournaments
Dancing
Watch plays

Question 3

State 2 positions of power that Elizabeth could grant a person.

Answer 3

A seat on the privy council
A place at court

Question 4

How did patronage guarantee loyalty to Elizabeth?

Answer 4

She could remove it at any time, so if people wanted the benefits of it they had to stay loyal to Elizabeth.
Power was built on personal relationships with the queen.

Question 5

How frequently did the privy council meet?

Answer 5

Daily

Question 6

What did the privy council advise Elizabeth on?

Answer 6

Important issues at the time (e.g war)

Question 7

Who was the privy council led by?

Answer 7

The Secretary of state.

Question 8

How did Elizabeth control the privy council?

Answer 8

She appointed councillors with different viewpoints so she could get different opinions on certain topics

Question 9

Who did Elizabeth appoint as secretary of state for most of her reign and what was his nickname?

Answer 9

William Cecil or ‘spirit’

Question 10

In 1587, what did Cecil manipulate into doing?

Answer 10

Executing Mary Queen of Scots

Question 11

By 1590, how did a rivalry develop in the Privy Council?

Answer 11

Cecil become too old to properly run the council so a rivalry emerged between his son, Robert Cecil and other councillors such as the Earl of Essex

Question 12

Who controlled and enforced laws in individual counties?

Answer 12

A lord lieutenant, this was usually the most powerful noble in the county

Question 13

State 2 duties that a lord lieutenant carried out.

Answer 13

1) To keep the queen and privy council informed of what was going on in the county.
2) Raise a local army to deal with rebellion

Question 14

Who were the main people responsible for maintaining law and order in each county?

Answer 14

Justicies of the peace (JPs)

Question 15

How many JPs were in each county?

Answer 15

Approx. 40

Question 16

Who were JPs appointed by?

Answer 16

The queen - this was a form of patronage

Question 17

State 3 things JPs were responsible for.

Answer 17

Collecting taxes and fines.
Enforcing the poor law.
Judging court cases.

Question 18

Why were some JPs corrupt?

Answer 18

They were unpaid, so this led to bribery

Question 19

What were the 2 main things that Elizabeth’s MPs voted on?

Answer 19

New laws and changes in tax

Question 20

What stopped Elizabeth from raising taxes when she wanted?

Answer 20

Elizabeth need the consent of parliament to raise taxes which allowed them to push for changes that MPs wanted to see

Question 21

State 4 things Puritan MPs pushed Elizabeth to do.

Answer 21

1) Marry a protestant and name a protestant heir
2) Remove archbishops and bishops - allow elected committees to control churches
3) Stop priests wearing vestments
4) Give MPs freedom of speech so they could discuss whatever they wanted in Parliament

Question 22

How many times did Parliament meet in Elizabeth’s 45 year regime?

Answer 22

13 times

Question 23

What was the role of the privy council in parliament?

Answer 23

To control parlamental debates

Question 24

What 2 topics were banned in Parliament?

Answer 24

1) Religion
2) Her marriage

Question 25

Why was Peter Wentworth imprisoned?

Answer 25

He demanded that Elizabeth named a protestant heir.

Question 26

What happened to John Stubbs, a Puritan MP, and why?

Answer 26

His hand was chopped off in 1593 for criticising Elizabeth’s proposed marriage to a catholic duke.

Question 27

What 2 things did Elizabeth project herself as through propaganda?

Answer 27

A powerful and popular monarchs

Question 28

What 2 things did Elizabeth emphasise about herself through her portraits?

Answer 28

Her power and lack of any weakness

Question 29

What did Elizabeth do to establish a presence throughout England?

Answer 29

She went on regular tours of the country so she could be seen by ordinary people

Question 30

On her tours, who did Elizabeth stay with?

Answer 30

She stayed with local nobles who would put in extravagent shows for her in order to gain patronage

Question 31

What 2 things did Elizabeth do to interact with the public while on tours?

Answer 31

1) showed off her wealth to the public
2) spoke with people as she passed

Question 32

What areas did Elizabeth never visit and why?

Answer 32

The North and West - they weren’t protestant areas

Question 33

At what age did the Earl of Essex become Elizabeth’s favourite court member?

Answer 33

Age 18

Question 34

How did the Earl of Essex win a seat on the privy council?

Answer 34

His success as a military commander impressed Elizabeth and he has offered a seat.

Question 35

What traits led to Robert Devereux execution?

Answer 35

His egotistical and rash behaviour

Question 36

In 1598, what did Devereux do that worsened his relationship with Elizabeth?

Answer 36

Reached for his sword during an argument with Elizabeth

Question 37

in 1599, what did Devereux do that worsened his relationship with Elizabeth?

Answer 37

Led a failed military campaign in Ireland

Question 38

In 1600, what did Devereux do that worsened his relationship with Elizabeth?

Answer 38

Abandoned his soldiers in Ireland and forced his way into Elizabeth’s bedroom

Question 39

In 1601, what did Devereux do that worsened his relationship with Elizabeth?

Answer 39

Plotted an armed rebellion to remove Elizabeth and make James of Scotland the king.