Key Issue 1 - Elizabethan Government

Question 1

How many Protestants did Mary kill?

Answer 1

Over 300

Question 2

Why was Elizabeth’s coronation deliberately designed to be a splendid and colourful event?

Answer 2

To show off the power of the new monarch

Question 3

When was Elizabeth’s coronation?

Answer 3

15th January 1559

Question 4

Why did Elizabeth wear very expensive clothing?

Answer 4

She realised the importance of projecting an image of majesty and power

Question 5

State three aspects of Elizabeth’s character. Yeah

Answer 5

• could speak Greek, Latin, French and Italian
• studied theology
• received a good education
• was quick-tempered like her father
• dressed in finery

Question 6

How did Elizabeth use portraits to strengthen her reign?

Answer 6

Her portraits weren’t accurate, and showed her as a flawless woman, creating an image of a monarch who was ageless, strong, powerful, wise and successful.

Question 7

What were royal progresses?

Answer 7

These were regular tours of the countryside, where Elizabeth and her court stayed in the houses of her nobles. This was a propaganda exercise, to ensure Elizabeth was seen by her subjects, and a way for Elizabeth keep keep a watchful eye over the powerful noble families.

Question 8

Who made up the royal court?

Answer 8

• ladies in waiting
• servants
• chief advisers
• government officials
• queen

Question 9

What was patronage?

Answer 9

When Elizabeth gave out special favours such as land or positions in court to people in order to retain their support. She used this to play the courtiers against each other.

Question 10

What were court factions?

Answer 10

Using patronage, Elizabeth generated rivalry between her courtiers, resulting in court factions.

Question 11

Who were the Privy Council?

Answer 11

A body of advisers and ministers appointed by the queen to help her rule, generally from the noble and gentry classes.

Question 12

Name three members of Elizabeth’s privy council.

Answer 12

• Sir William Cecil
• Robert Dudley
• Sir Christopher Hatton
• Sir Francis Walsinghan
• Robert Cecil

Question 13

Name the six positions in local government.

Answer 13

• the lord lieutenant
• the sheriff
• justices of the peace
• the parish constable
• night watchman
• the overseer of the poor

Question 14

Summarise the role of the lord lieutenant.

Answer 14

They were in charge of the local militia and reported on local events to the Privy Council.

Question 15

Summarise the role of the sheriff.

Answer 15

They were chiefly concerned with legal affairs.

Question 16

Summarise the role of the justices of the peace

Answer 16

Maintained law and order and sat in local courts.

Question 17

Summarise the role of the parish constable.

Answer 17

Watched out for crime and vagabonds and carried out punishments

Question 18

Summarise the role of the night watchman

Answer 18

Similar to the parish constable, except they patrolled the streets at night.

Question 19

Summarise the role of the overseer of the poor.

Answer 19

Had to organise and collect a local tax and distribute it to the needy

Question 20

How many times did parliament meet in Elizabeth’s reign?

Answer 20

13 times

Question 21

What was the longest Elizabeth went without calling parliament?

Answer 21

26 years

Question 22

What were the main reasons Elizabeth called parliament meetings?

Answer 22

• short of money
• wanted to raise taxes
• needed to pass Acts of Parliament
• desired support and advice of MPs

Question 23

What was limited in parliament?

Answer 23

Freedom of speech

Question 24

How successful was the government of Liz?

Answer 24

Liz maintained a relatively firm control of her parliaments, using her popularity to ensure loyalty.