Part 1: Elizabeth and her Court

Question 1

What century did Elizabeth rule in?

Answer 1

16th century

Question 2

How many people were in her court?

Answer 2

500 nobles, servants and advisors

Question 3

What was the importance of Elizabeth’s court? (4)

Answer 3

• It was the centre of government
• Power depended on keeping close to the Queen
• Used patronage to keep Nobles happy and loyal
• Entertainment was impressive

Question 4

How many times did Parliament meet during her reign?

Answer 4

13

Question 5

What was the importance of the Privy council?

Answer 5

7 Ps
People management: Organised the work of the justices of peace and in charge of government departments (e.g. Lord treasurer)

Policies: Advised the Queen on issues such as religion

Pathway to the queen

Problem solving: Secretary of state was expected to deal with day-to-day problems

Parliament: Made speeches to support the Queen’s policies + helped control what happened in parliament

Protection: Used spies to uncover plots against her

Propaganda: helped create a positive image of the Queen

Question 6

Who were Elizabeth’s key ministers?

Answer 6

Sir William Cecil
Robert Dudley
Sir Francis Walsingham
Sir Christopher Hatton

Question 7

Give an example of a portrait and how it was used as propaganda.

Answer 7

The ‘Armada’ portrait
- Published in 1588
- Hair and ruff symbolises the sun (source of warmth + goodness)
- White skin connotes purity, idea she was the virgin queen married to England
- White makeup also hid her smallpox scars + make her look younger

Question 8

How did Elizabeth influence people?

Answer 8

Propaganda + Censorship
- Most people only saw her through portraits including positive messages that she was married to England, powerful and wealthy
- In 1596, any portraits that caused her ‘great offence’ were burned

Question 9

What political problems did Elizabeth face at the beginning of her reign?

Answer 9

• Parliament was becoming more powerful, demanding more say
• Some people feared a young female ruler was weak and couldn’t control powerful nobles

Question 10

What succession problems did Elizabeth face at the beginning of her reign?

Answer 10

• If she didn’t produce an heir, Mary Queen of Scots had the strongest claim and was a catholic
• People feared if she died without an heir there would be a civil war

Question 11

What Religious problems did Elizabeth face at the beginning of her reign?

Answer 11

• If she didn’t produce an heir, Mary Queen of Scots had the strongest claim and was a catholic
• Catholics believed the pope was head of the Church + churches should be highly decorated (protestants thought opposite), and may rebel if Elizabeth made the church more protestant
  btw, most people in England were protestant

Question 12

What economic problems did Elizabeth face at the beginning of her reign?

Answer 12

• Mary I had fought expensive war against France, so Elizabeth began her reign with massive debts, without enough money to pay for a full time army
• Collapse of wool and cloth trade in the 1550s = government got less money from taxes (it was England’s most important industry)

Question 13

Essex Rebellion

Answer 13

1601
See document + blurt this