The development of the role of Secretary

Question 1

When did the role of Secretary to the Tudor monarchs first become politically important?

Answer 1

1530s, when Thomas Cromwell was dominant

Question 2

What did holding the position of Secretary mean: (2)

Answer 2

• Close personal access to the monarch
• Control of the monarch’s personal (or privy) seal, which made royal documents official

Question 3

Who was Henry VIII’s secretary by 1534?

Answer 3

Thomas Cromwell

Question 4

What did Cromwell use his position as secretary to do? (3)

Answer 4

• Control Council meetings
• Access to the king’s private correspondence
• Meant he had detailed knowledge of Henry’s day-to-day business

Question 5

Post 1540, after Cromwell’s fall, who held the title of Secretary?

Answer 5

Split between two men Thomas Wriothesely and Ralph Sadler

Question 6

Why was the position of Secretary split? (2)

Answer 6

• In response to the increased amount of work which the Secretary undertook
• An attempt to ensure that no one man could exploit the position to his own advantage

Question 7

Under what monarch did the Secretary become important again?

Answer 7

Elizabeth

Question 8

Who were Elizabeth’s Secretaries?

Answer 8

• William Cecil
• Francis Walsingham
• Robert Cecil

Question 9

When was William Cecil appointed as Secretary?

Answer 9

1558 - 1572

Question 10

When was Francis Walsingham appointed as Secretary?

Answer 10

1573 - 1590

Question 11

Duties of Secretary under Elizabeth: (3)

Answer 11

• Day-to-day running of the government on the Queen’s behalf
• Council meetings were well run
• Sift through enormous amounts of information that were sent to them

Question 12

How was the role of the Secretary sometimes a dangerous one?

Answer 12

William Davison had the responsibility of keeping the death warrant which had been issued for the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots. Elizabeth’s Catholic rival for the throne

Question 13

What did William Davison do with the Death warrant?

Answer 13

Despite Elizabeth telling Davison not to send out the warrant, the council decided that the warrant should be sent out and Mary was executed

Question 14

What happened to William Davison as a result of his mistake?

Answer 14

Tried, imprisoned and forced to pat a fine of 10,000 marks and was never employed by the queen again

Question 15

How did Robert Cecil use the position of Secretary? (2)

Answer 15

• Build up a network of supporters
• Ensured patronage was distributed to his own clients