Key Figures Flashcards
William Cecil (origins, education, reasons for influence at court, offices, downfall)
Origins-
born in Lincolnshire to local gentry family
Education-
Studied at Cambridge University
became a lawyer and protestant
Reasons for influence at court-
entered service of the Duke of Sommerset 1547
promoted to Sommerset’s secretary of state 1548
after Sommerset’s downfall he became Northumberland’s secretary of state1550
appointed by Elizabeth to oversea her estates
Offices-
both Sommerset and Northumberland’s secretary of state
made Elizabeth’s secretary of state 1558
master of the court of wards 1561
created Lord Burghley 1571
made Lord Treasurer 1572
Downfall-
died 1598
Christopher Hatton (origins, education, reasons for influence at court, offices, wealth/patronage, downfall)
Origins-
born the son of a gentleman from Northamptonshire
Education-
went the Oxford University but gained no qualifications
still regarded as gifted and loyal
reasons for influence at court-
elected the MP for Northamptonshire
befriended Elizabeth at court
Offices-
MP for Northamptonshire
appointed gentleman of the Privy Chamber
appointed captain of the queens bodyguard
appointed vice-chamberlain of the household and Privy Chamber 1557
promoted to Lord Chancellor 1587
appointed chancellor of Oxford University
wealth/patronage-
rewarded by Elizabeth with lands, offices and the monopoly of the wine trade
knighted and invested with the Order of the Garter
Downfall-
Died in 1591 aged 51
Walter Raleigh (origins, education, reasons for influence at court, offices, wealth/patronage, allies/enemies, downfall)
Origins-
born to a gentry family in the west country
Education-
educated locally
Reasons for influence at court-
given command for his first ship ‘Falcon’ then served in the Huguenot (Protestant) army in France.
his dashing and flamboyant nature caught Elizabeth’s attention
named Virginia in Elizabeth’s honour and introduced potatoes and tobacco into court 1588
Offices-
knighted by Elizabeth
made captain of the Queen’s bodyguard
appointed vice-admiral of Devon and Cornwall
Wealth/patronage-
given vast lands in England and Ireland
given the monopoly on playing cards
allies/enemies-
resented by Hatton
Downfall-
Sent to the Tower of London for getting Elizabeth Throckmorton (one of the Queens maids of honour) pregnant 1595
Raleigh was no longer a trusted courtier but was reinstated back into court and entrusted with various diplomatic missions
Robert Dudley (origins, reasons for influence at court, offices, wealth/patronage, allies/enemies, downfall)
Origins-
Fifth son of the late Duke of Northumberland
Released from the tower where he had been imprisoned for his part in his fathers conspiracy to put Lady Jane Grey on the throne
Reasons for influence at court-
fought against the French 1557
rumoured him and Elizabeth would marry
Offices-
appointed master of the horse by Elizabeth in 1558
created Earl of Leister
appointed Lieutenant-General of the army in the Netherlands
Wealth/patronage-
given large estates and export licences
given a seat on the council
Allies/enemies-
clashed with William Cecil (Burghley) frequently
Downfall-
died 1588
2nd Earl of Essex (origins, reasons for influence at court, offices, wealth/patronage, allies/enemies, downfall)
Origins-
born and inherited his title at 10 years old
grew up privileged, vain, reckless and extravagant
Reasons for influence at court-
fully established as Elizabeth’s favourite courtier
became a Privy Councillor
defeated the Spanish navy at Cadiz
Offices-
Made master of the horse by Elizabeth
appointed Master of the Ordnances and Earl Marshall in 1598
Appointed to command army being sent to Ireland but disobeyed orders so when he returned to England, he was stripped of all his titles
Wealth/patronage-
given the monopoly over sweet wines
Downfall-
led an uprising to try and capture Elizabeth and force her to restore himself and his followers to their rightful titles. He was arrested, tried and executed in 1601
Sir Francis Walsingham (origins, education, reasons for influence at court, offices, allies/enemies, downfall)
Origins-
Born to a lawyer from an old Norfolk family
Education-
educated at Cambridge then studied law
Reasons for influence at court-
Protestant who spent Mary’s reign on the continent gaining knowledge of European affairs and languages
entered parliament as MP for Lyme Regis
his bluntness and extreme religious convictions caused friction with Elizabeth but she respected him
Offices-
appointed ambassador to Paris
promoted to Secretary of State with special responsibilities for foreign affairs
Elizabeth made him chancellor of the Order of the Garter and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Downfall-
died in 1590
Robert Cecil (origins, education, reasons for influence at court, offices, wealth/patronage, allies/enemies, downfall)
Origins-
born the younger son of Burghley (William Cecil)
Sickly child
Education-
educated at St John’s College, Cambridge at Gray’s Inn and the at the Sorbonne in Paris
Reasons for influence at court-
elected to parliament as MP for Westminster
used by Elizabeth as her unofficial spokesman in the commons
carried out many of Walsingham’s duties after his death
Offices-
appointed to the Privy Council
appointed as Elizabeth’s Secretary of State after organising the Cadiz expedition
appointed Master of the Court of Wards
supervised the arrangements for the succession of James VI of Scotland on Elizabeth’s death
Wealth/patronage-
given the right to receive duties o n imported luxury materials e.g. satins and silks
allies/enemies-
Essex disliked him
challenged to a duel by Essex
Downfall-
died in 1612
