Government Flashcards
How did Elizabeth promote her own image at court?
Travelled on over 25 progresses during her reign
Portrayed herself as careful and hardworking by toning down the extravagance of court (1563 Parliament voted for an allowance for court spending of £40,000)
Each day, 13 poor men at the palace gates given a small donation (5p)
Royal household employed nearly 1,500 people
How and why did Elizabeth restrict patronage?
Recognised that patronage was most valued when not given out freely
How many peerages did Elizabeth grant in her reign?
Only 18 - fewer nobles in 1603 than in 1558 (no Dukes left after Duke of Norfolk’s execution)
Example of patronage (William Cecil)
Appointed Secretary of State, became Lord Burghley in 1571
Example of patronage (Robert Dudley)
Made a Knight of the Garter in 1559
Made Earl of Leicester in 1564
What did Elizabeth use instead of titles to reward loyalty?
Monopolies
e.g. Raleigh granted monopoly on playing cards, Hatton granted monopoly on the wine trade
These were furiously attacked at Elizabeth’s last Parliament and she agreed to cancel some
When and how did factional rivalry begin to emerge?
Cecil held the most influence since the beginning of Liz’s reign. Rivals arose in the mid-1560s, such as Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester
Example of factional rivalry (marriage)
In 1567, Leicester convinced Liz to reject the marriage proposal from Archduke Charles of Austria, which Cecil favoured
Example of factional rivalry in 1578-85
Debate on whether to send more English troops to the Netherlands. Leicester and Walsingham in favour, whereas Burghley urged a more cautious approach..
Liz eventually agreed to send in troops in 1585
Example of factional rivalry in 1579
Fighting over the Anjou marriage - Cecil argued in favour, Leicester and Walsingham opposed vehemently (both were banished from court for several weeks)
Example of factional rivalry in 1598
Robert Cecil argued for an end to the war with Spain, Essex wanted the war to continue
Example of factional rivalry in 1596
Essex attempted to secure the appointment of Sir Robert Sidney as Lord Chamberlain, but failed. He also attempted to appoint Sir Francis Bacon as Attorney General, but Liz refused.
Example of factional rivalry (culminating in rebellion) in 1601
Essex planned an armed attack on the council to remove Robert Cecil - failed and was executed
Composition of Elizabeth’s Privy Council
Reduced to 19 at the start of reign (down from 40-50 under Mary), down to 11 by 1597
Mainly Protestant
Example of Liz keeping one of Mary’s old councillors?
Kept William Paulet, Marquis of Winchester as Lord Treasurer
Able to continue work began under Mary
Example of a new privy councillor brought in at the start of Liz’s reign
Marquis of Northampton (Protestant)
Who were the main Privy Councillors at the start of Liz’s reign?
William Cecil, Robert Dudley, Sir Francis Knollys
Who were the main privy councillors by the 1590s?
Robert Cecil and Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex
What were the methods of local government enforcement during Liz’s reign?
JPs - increased in use, administered the Poor Laws, on average 50 in each county by 1600 (compared to 18 in H8’s reign)
Lord Lieutenants - supervised JPs, at least one in every shire by 1585
What happened at Elizabeth’s first Parliament?
January-May 1559
Settlement pushed through by Protestant councillors (e.g. Cecil, Knollys, Cooke and Bacon)
What happened at Liz’s second Parliament?
January-April 1563 (first session), September 1566-Janurary 1567 (second session)
A large number of MPs urged Liz to marry (even though they were infringing the royal prerogative by doing so)
Elizabeth prevented the passage of bills for further religious reforms which were favoured by Cecil and many of the bishops
What happened at Liz’s third Parliament?
April-May 1571
Parliament granted Liz a subsidy and was happy to support the tightening of laws against Catholics
William Strickland proposed a bill to reform the BCP (vetoed) - Liz’s Privy Council took initiative in removing him from attendance at the HoC