Government, parliament and succession

Question 1

What are the two arguments of Elizabeth’s relationship with parliament?

Answer 1

Orthodox - J.E Neale suggests there was opposition from a ‘Puritan Choir’ who formed a united + organised opposition

Revisionist - Elton and Graves suggest dominant theme was cooperation, main opposition was from lords + catholic nobles

Question 2

What was the role of the Privy Council? What were its limitations?

Answer 2

• advised monarch on policy
• ensure orderly gov’t and security of state
• could imprison religious reclusants as enforcement of settlement

Did not always work eg. Queen defiant not to marry 1562, 1566
Limited membership - ‘dangerously weak and narrow’ particularly as trusted advisors died

Question 3

What was the role of local gov’t? What were its limitations?

Answer 3

• enforced law + prosecuted criminals (acted as a court)
• followed orders of Privy Council

Relied on loyalty of regional leaders
Unpaid so corruption within roles like JPs
Communication was slow

Question 4

What was the role of parliament? What were its limitations?

Answer 4

• pass laws
• grant taxes
  (could access Queen via speaker + had ‘freedom of speech’)

Only called 13 times in 44 years
Queen forbade discussion of certain topics within her prerogative eg. succession, foreign policy, religion
Queen could call, prorogue + dissolve parliament eg 1572 following ridolfi plot

Question 5

What were the roles of JPs and Lords Lieutenant?

Answer 5

JPs - maintained law and order, county administration

Lords lieutenant - levy off men to fight against the monarchs enemies

Question 6

What is the role of the Royal Court? What are its limitations?

Answer 6

Place to gain an audience with the Queen + have her ear for a short time -> accessibility to the Queen for nobility and ambassadors

BUT included those on Privy Council
Council where major decisions made