Royal court

• The royal court was the group of nobles and privy councillors who surrounded the queen at all times.
• Courtiers travelled with Elizabeth as she toured her 60 residences
• Entertainment at court projected an image of wealth and extravagance, including:

  • Jousting tournaments
  • Dances and plays
  • Banquets
  • Hunting parties
• Elizabeth used a system of patronage to control the royal court:

  • Granted positions of power; such as a place at court or on the privy council to her favourites and wealthy nobles.
  • Courtiers therefore owed all their power to Elizabeth and she knew she could remove patronage any time, guaranteeing loyalty
  • based on personal relationship with the queen