Government Flashcards
How did Elizabeth view Parliament?
a “necessary but occasional evil” - something she had to work with to pass laws and raise revenue
Elizabeth drew a distinction between certain issues brought up in Parliament. What were the two categories?
- Issues to do with prerogative rights (issues Parliament could only discuss if allowed e.g succession, marriage, foreign policy)
- Issues to do with the commonweal or common good (things they could disgusts freely e.g poverty, vagrancy)
What is the traditional view of the puritan choir?
Elizabeth’s relationship with parliament was difficult, and was made especially hostile due to the presence of the Puritan choir (a group of 40 radical MP’s working inside and outside of Parliament to oppose the Queen)
J. Neale
What is the contemporary view of the Puritan Choir?
Elizabeth did face Parliamentary opposition but not from an organised group of Puritans. The opposition came from her own councillors
What is the revisionist view of the Puritan choir/Elizabethan Parliament?
Elizabeth faced little serious opposition in Parliament and the opposition she did face never challenged her authority. Her Parliaments were categorised by cooperation.
(Elton)
What was Elizabeth’s intention as monarch?
To rule as well as to reign
When was Cecil appointed Lord Burghley?
1571
When was William Cecil appointed Lord high treasurer and how long did he maintain that title?
1572-1598 : demonstrates the loyalty Elizabeth fostered amongst her councillors via forming strong, personal relationships with them.
How did Elizabeth’s council change in the 1570’s?
Many firmly protestant councillors were appointed e.g Sir Francis Walsingham.
According to John Guy, this created an “inner ring” of eight main councillors whom Elizabeth trusted.
How did Elizabeth tackle/exploit factional rivalry?
Not a single minister, not even Cecil, had complete control over patronage, and the various influential families at court balanced each other out.
Elizabeth close relations with her councillors meant that any disagreements they had amongst each other were arguments over how to please her the most. This was positive for Elizabeth
What was the main rivalry within the council?
The Earl of Leicester (Robert Dudley) and William Cecil - however, disputes between these two were occasional and were policy focussed rather than general dislike.
When did the coherence of government begin to decline and why?
The 1590’s - fierce clashes between Robert Cecil and the Earl of Essex made governance difficult.
This came to a head in 1601 during the Essex rebellion
In which years did Elizabeth declare her royal prerogative over parliament and why?
1563 and 1566 : the House of Commons, at the urging of the members of the Privy Council, sought to debate the issues of Marriage and succession.
How many bills did Elizabeth refuse, utilising her royal prerogative?
60 bills
When was the case of Peter Wentworth and what happened?
Wentworth was twice imprisoned for demanding free speech in the House of Commons.
First in 1576, yet he was soon released on the Queens orders.
Again in 1593 when he offended the queen over the issue of succession. He remained imprisoned until his death in 1597.
