Role Of Parliament

Question 1

How did Elizabeth mainly rule?

Answer 1

By proclamation (Royal orders that had the force of law)

Question 2

When did Elizabeth need Parliament?

Answer 2

If she wanted to change the laws or raise taxes

Question 3

What reflects the power Elizabeth had over Parliament?

Answer 3

She could open and close Parliament whenever she liked

Question 4

How were people chosen to be MPs?

Answer 4

MPs were not elected. They were selected by local lords

Question 5

How long did Parliament sit during Elizabeth’s 45-year reign?

Answer 5

Only 35 months

Question 6

Why did the queen call Parliament more often between 1580 and 1603 than before?

Answer 6

She needed laws and financial support to deal with religious threats and war against Spain

Question 7

Elizabeth and her _____ decided what Parliament could _____

Answer 7

Elizabeth and her ministers decided what Parliament could discuss

Question 8

Who organised Parliamentary business?

Answer 8

The Privy Council, some of whom were MPs

Question 9

How did the queen control Parliament’s agenda?

Answer 9

She appointed a speaker, to decided on the agenda

Question 10

What topics were off limit for MPs?

Answer 10

Religion, marriage, foreign affairs and the succession (who would inherit the throne)

Question 11

During the later years of Elizabeth’s reign what did some Puritan MPs do?

Answer 11

They grew in confidence to discuss sensitive topics. Even Privy Councillors, such as Cecil and Walsingham stirred up issues such as foreign policy or the succession, which they wanted the queen to confront.

Question 12

What did Puritan MPs want?

Answer 12

Puritans wanted the freedom of speech for MPs. Two puritans were hanged in 1583 for putting forward such views. Issue was raised again in Parliament in 1584 and 1586.

Question 13

What did a Puritan MP, John Stubbs, do in November 1579?

Answer 13

Stubbs wrote a pamphlet criticising Elizabeth’s propose marriage to the French Catholic, Duke of Anjou. He and his accomplice, William Page, had their right hand cut off.

Question 14

What happened to Puritan MP, Peter Wentworth, in 1593?

Answer 14

Wentworth was imprisoned in the Tower of London, after urging Elizabeth to name a successor. He died there four years later.

Question 15

What was Elizabeth’s response when MPs complained about purveyances (queen’s right to buy supplies at a cheap price), in 1589?

Answer 15

She said it did not concern MPs and said she would look into their complaints

Question 16

What did Elizabeth do when MPs complained about monopolies in 1597?

Answer 16

She agreed to look into the issue but did not take action

Question 17

What monopoly did the queen grant Walter Raleigh with?

Answer 17

She granted Walter Raleigh with the monopoly (exclusive right to make or sell a product) of tin.

Question 18

What did Elizabeth do when MPs complained further about monopolies, in 1601?

Answer 18

She made a ‘Golden Speech’ to Parliament flattering MPs and reinforcing how much she loved her people. She cancelled some monopolies and promised to look into others.

Question 19

What did Elizabeth do if she did not like a law passed by Parliament?

Answer 19

She refused to sign the law and it therefore did not become a law