elizabeth’s court and parliament

• Queen Elizabeth reigned from 1558-1603
• When she was born, no one ever expected Elizabeth to become monarch. Her mother, Anne Boleyn, had been executed for treason on the orders of her father, King Henry VIII. Further, Elizabeth's elder sister, Queen Mary I of England, saw her as a potential threat to her own rule. 
• Elizabeth was only 25 when she became queen and she needed to establish her authority quickly. Although being queen gave her power, she could not do as she pleased.

  Her government had a clear structure of advisors and other powerful figures. Most of the power was held by a few key trusted individuals in Elizabeth's court. Many, but not all, of these were privy councillors. The queen could ensure support through patronage.
• Patronage was an important way of ensuring loyalty from courtiers. Elizabeth could award titles, land, monopolies and other powerful positions and money-making opportunities in exchange for obedience and support.
• The royal court and the government were not the same thing. The court was made up of all the officials, servants and advisors that surrounded Elizabeth. The court was the centre of power, but also the source of the latest trends and fashions. It included the Privy Council, but Justices of the Peace and Parliament were not part of it. The government was made up of the queen and her closest advisors, usually privy councillors, but always men whom she trusted.
• Lord Lieutenants

  • Appointed by the queen.
  • Responsible for running a particular area of the country.
  • Responsible for raising a militia to fight for the queen if needed.
  • Many also served on the Privy Council
• Justices of the Peace

  • Several in every county.
  • Responsible for maintaining order and enforcing the law
• Parliament

  Made up of the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

  • Had influence over tax and was responsible for passing laws.The queen could choose when to call Parliament and was free to ignore their advice.
• Privy Council

  • Responsible for the day-to-day running of the country, dealing with all policy areas.
  • Although the queen could appoint whoever she wished, she had to appoint the most powerful landowners in the country, to prevent rebellion.
  • If the council was united, it was almost impossible for Elizabeth to go against their wishes. However, unity was very rare in a group filled with ambitious rivals.
  • Led by Secretary of State.
  • William Cecil and Francis Walsingham were two significant figures who each served as Secretary of State. Both had a huge influence on Elizabeth.
• Arguments in favour of Elizabeth marrying

  Create an alliance with a foreign country or guarantee the loyalty of a powerful English family.

  Produce an heir to continue the Tudor line and stop Mary, Queen of Scots from becoming queen when Elizabeth died.
• Arguments against Elizabeth marrying.

  Loss of authority - either to a foreign ruler or Englishman.

  By not marrying, Elizabeth - and England - kept their independence.

  Giving birth was very risky for the mother.

  Her experience of marriage had been bad - her father had married six times and ordered her mother to be executed and her sister's marriage to Philip of Spain had been unhappy and did not produce an heir.

  Elizabeth was able to use the possibility of marriage to her advantage when dealing with foreign leaders and important figures in England.
• What was one challenge Elizabeth faced during her reign?

  She was a female ruler in a time when women did not hold positions of authority.
• What initial problems did Elizabeth have to deal with during her reign?

  Religion, foreign policy, taxation, Ireland, Mary, Queen of Scots, and succession.
• Did Elizabeth marry during her reign?

  No, Elizabeth never married despite many suitors.
• How did some view Elizabeth's decision not to marry?

  Some saw it as a clever decision.
• What issues arose between Elizabeth and Parliament during her reign?

  Disagreements and tensions arose particularly around religion, monopolies, and Mary, Queen of Scots.
• What was the final challenge to Elizabeth's authority?

  Essex's rebellion.
• How was Essex's rebellion dealt with by Elizabeth?

  It was easily defeated.