Privy Council and Parliament Flashcards
Spanish ambassador described Cecil as
‘the man who does everything’
New Councillors appointed in 58
Sackville, Rogers and Bacon
All Protestant
Example of factional rivalries between 1558-71
5
- Cecil’s supremacy challenged by Leicester in late 60s as Leicester might have married E
- Cecil undermined E’s potential to marry Leiceter by spreading rumours that Leicester had poisoned Amy.
- Intervention in Scotland 59-60. Debate between councillors. Burghley threatened to leave his position and got his way.
- Northern Rebellion. Leicester and Sussex supported the Norfolk marriage plot even though he was Protestant as he wanted Cecil to be removed as a political force.
- Councillors wanted to impress her. Burghley flew in plants from Peru.
Example’s that there weren’t factional rivalries between 1558-71
5
- Cecil had virtually unrivalled authority
- Intervention in Scotland 59-60 could have been genuine disagreement
- Northern Rebellion. No proof Leicester and Sussex were motivated by factional rivalries
- Norfolk had the wealth and following to destabilise the kingdom but he had to interest in Court politics
- Genuine difference of opinions in terms of foreign policy and economy
Example of factional rivalries between 1571-88
Plans for Anjou marriage in 1579
Leicester and Hatton were against it, warning her of the dangers of childbirth at her age. Cecil and Sussex supported it, Cecil was determined that Mary was excluded from succession.
Examples there weren’t factional rivalries between 1571-88
5
-Cecil and Leicester were the two main factions and they generally worked well together
-The ‘Big Four’ (Leicester, Cecil, Hatton and Walsingham) were generally in agreement
-Council united against Catholic threat and determined that Protestantism would increase
-Good balance of religious councillors appointed.
Protestant: Walsingham, Sidney, Warwick, Sadler and Smith
Conservative: Hatton and Crofts
-Fall of Norfolk meant that conservatives had less power
Example of factional rivalries between 1588-03
6
- Burghley wanted to end war with Spain but Essex sought military glory
- 1596 Elizabeth chose Robert Cecil’s man (Cook) over Essex’s (Bacon)
- Essex led a campaign to get rid of Robert Cecil as he believed the country should be run by generals, not ordinary citizens
- Essex had 2 supporters; Knolleys and Rogers. Cecil had 11.
- Essex’s fall in 1601 shows those who fall out of favour of E lose their position. Access to her personal rooms gave courtiers leading authority and wealth.
- Thomas Cecil appointed to President of the Council of the North in 1599 shows Cecilian factions increase.
Elizabeth’s tactic’s to control her Privy Council
- Only discussed policy with small groups
- Kept close notes in order to question councillors
- Consulted men outside the council, particularly foreign ambassadors
- Encouraged councillors to compete for rewards
- Displayed anger and violence e.g. excluded Leicester and Walsingham from Court and executed Norfolk (72) and Essex (01)
- Displayed affection
Elizabeth’s power over Parliament
She alone had the right to veto, call, dismiss and prorogue Parliament
How many MP’s were there by 1603?
55
Increasingly small and under E’s control
Parliament petition regarding marriage
1563
Signed by 8 PC’s
1567
Cecil drafted petition with many MP’s signatures
E’s actions towards Parliament in 63 and 67
Reminded them she is their ‘anointed Queen’ and forbade further discussion of marriage and succession after promising she would marry
Which MP’s agreed with the PC and wanted Norfolk and Mary executed in 1572
Bacon and Knollys
Parliament granted E a subsidy even though England was at peace
1576
Progress made in Parliament in 1576
Over 100 bills were produced, 37 of which were enacted. These included a measure to reduced unemployment
Turner
1584 Bill for a Presbyterian structure
Stafford Plot
1587
Walsingham manufactured plot to make E decide to execute Mary
War with Spain
1589 She ignored Parliaments attempts to make her formally declare war with Spain
Issue over monopolies
In parliamentary sessions in 98 and 01
Parliament succeeded in forcing Elizabeth to agree on the most unpopular monopolies (including that on salt). She promised to cancel some monopolies and suspend others
Golden Speech
30th November 1601
Met with applause and cheers
Cooperation with Parliament
- Religious Settlement eventually agreed
- Became smaller and easier to control
- Always granted her subsidies
- House of Commons acted against those who opposed Elizabeth
- Generally unanimous in terms of anti-Catholic laws
- Act of Safety for Elizabeth passed by Parliament in 1585
Confrontation with Parliament
- Resistance to Religious Settlement as all but 1 MP refused to accept it. They were all replaced
- Constantly pressed issues that were under her royal prerogative
- Petitioned against E e.g. execution of Mary in 87
- Elizabeth had to compromise and promise she would marry and name a successor
- In 1601, Parliament voted for less than 2 subsidies requested
What did Cecil say about E in 1560
‘Do not send diplomatic dispatches to her majesty, being too much for a woman’s knowledge’ (Scotland)
Potential suitors
Robert Dudley
Philip II of Spain
Archdukes Ferdinand and Charles of Spain (Anjou’s)
Prince Erik of Sweden
Potential successors
Lady Jane Grey
Mary Queen of Scots
Earl of Leicester
Lords Liutenants
Responsible under the Crown for military organisation within each country
Sheriff’s
Elizabeth’s representatives in the counties. Most clergy were prepared to accept the position as long as it was only for a year. So not every county could have a sheriff
JP’s
Increased throughout reign
Provided for the poor, examined and arrested suspects, PC used them for administrative and political matters
Finances
No attempt to revise the Marion Book of Rates resulting in a lack of customs revenue
