Part 1 - Elizabeth's Court and Parliament Flashcards
Explain Elizabeth’s heritage.
Elizabeth’s mother was Anne Boleyn and her father was Henry VIII. Henry executed Anne when Elizabeth was young.
What was patronage?
Patronage was an easy way of ensuring loyalties fro courtiers. Elizabeth would award titles, land and monopolies in exchange for support.
Who had power in Elizabethan England?
- Lord Lieutenants
- Parliament
- Justices of Peace
- Privy Council
Who were the Lord Lieutenants?
- Appointed by the queen
- Responsible for running part of the country.
- Responsible for raising militia for the queen if needed.
What was the Justices of the Peace?
- several in every county.
- responsible for maintaining order and enforcing the law.
What was Parliament?
- Made up of the House of Lords and House of Commons.
- Influenced tax and responsible for passing laws.
- The queen could choose when to call Parliament and was free to ignore their advice.
What was the Privy Council?
- Responsible for the day-to-day runnign of the country.
- Members appointed by the queen (but she had to appoint the most powerful landowner to prevent rebellions)
- Led by Secretary of State.
Name to important members of the Privy Council?
William Cecil and Francis Walsingham.
What were the problems Elizabeth faced when she came to the throne?
- Succession
- Religion
- Foreign Policy
- Taxation
- Ireland
- Mary, Queen of Scots
Why was succession a problem?
Having no clear heir often left England in a state of unease.
Why was religion a problem?
England was religiously divided, this had created instability and violence.
Why was foreign policy a problem?
- Catholic countries such as Spain + France wanted influence over England.
- A key area of tension was the Netherlands.
Why was taxation a problem?
- The country was short of money and Elizabeth needed to raise taxes but poverty was widespread and tax would be very unpopular.
Why was Ireland a problem?
Elizabeth considered herself to be Queen of Ireland she faced many major revolts in her reign.
Why was Mary QoS a problem?
Many thought she was the rightful Queen of England this made her a threat.
Who were Elizabeth’s potential suitors?
- Francis, Duke of Anjou and Alencon
(The French King’s brother, he was Catholic, Elizabeth was 46 when the marriage was proposed) - King Philip II of Spain (
- Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester
Arguments for marriage?
- Marriage could create an alliance with a foreign country or a powerful English family.
- Elizabeth could produce an heir.
- An heir would stop Mary Queen of Scots ruling after Elizabeth.
Arguments against marriage?
- Marrying a foreign prince could lead England falling under their control.
- Marrying and Englishman could create problems over who had authority.
- Remaining unmarried meant Elizabeth kept her independence.
What happened in 1562?
The Succession Crisis:
Elizabeth nearly died of smallpox and Parliament became increasingly concerned about the lack of an heir.
What was Elizabeth’s relationship with Parliament like after the Succession Crisis?
Parliament began to openly discuss potential matches. Elizabeth was furious with what she saw as an unacceptable interference and she banned Parliament from discussing the topic.
When did the Essex Rebellion occur?
1601
Background of the Earl of Essex?
- Essex had been a loyal subject throughout Elizabeth’s reign and was (for a time) one of her favourites.
- He became a privy councillor in 1595 and was awarded a monopoly of sweet wine.
- Essex developed a rivalry with Robert Cecil.
- Essex pleased the queen when in1596 he successfully defeated the Spanish.
Causes of the Essex Rebellion?
- At a Privy Council meeting Essex had an argument with the queen he turned his back on the queen and she hit him on the side of the head - he nearly drew his sword.
- Elizabeth sent him to deal with an Irish rebellion. He failed to defeat them and made a truce with them.
- Essex rushed into her private chambers and caught her without her wig
- Elizabeth took away his sweet wine monopoly.
Events of the Essex Rebellion?
-In February 1601, Essex took 4 Privy Councillors hostage and marched them to his London house along with 200 supporters.
- Robert Cecil, responded by labelling Essex as a traitor, many supporters left and released the hostages.
- Essex and his remaining followers were arrested.
