Elizabeth and her government

• When did Elizabeth become queen?

  November 1558 - she was 25
• Why was Anne Boleyn executed?

  Supposed adultery with 5 men, including her brother
• What was Elizabeth like as a princess

  -well educated

  -Protestant

  -never expected to be monarch

  -learned the court could be dangerous for a woman
• Why did the catholics view Elizabeth as illegitimate?

  because they didn't accept Henry's marriage to Anne Boleyn in the Protestant church so saw Elizabeth as a bastard
• What did Mary's rule prove

  -woman shouldn't be monarchs

  -not in control enough to rule
• Why was Elizabeth expected to marry

  1- to produce a male heir

  2- to have a husband to advice (control) her

  3- having a foreign husband would strengthen relations
• What strengths did Elizabeth bring to England

  - was popular and seen as a fresh start

  - had English parents so was free from foreign influence

  - was single so wasn't controlled by foreign husband

  - was committed to re-establishing the Protestant church
• What problems did Elizabeth inherit

  - £250,000 in debts

  - stereotype that female ruler = weak nation

  - was declared illegitimate in July 1536, even though the 1543 act of succession reversed this she still was called unlawful/illegitimate

  - her cousin Mary queen of Scot's (catholic) had a claim to the thrown

  - religious instability
• What was englands relationship with Ireland like

  - Henry VII declared himself as king of Ireland in 1540s

  - most Irish were Roman-catholic so rebelled the Protestant control
• What was England's relationship with Spain like?

  - Phillip II was Elizabeth's brother in law

  - were devoted catholics

  - wealthiest and most powerful European country

  - turned from ally to enemy under Elizabeth's reign
• What was englands relationship with Italy ?

  - pope lived in the Vatican

  - Catholic Church was wealthy and powerful, but corrupt

  - reformation began in 16th century and west Europe split
• What was Englands relationship with France?

  - Englands ideological enemy

  - went to war with Henry VIII frequently

  - strong ally of Scotland

  - were facing a Protestant revolution
• What was Englands relationship with the Netherlands?

  - were in trade with English merchants

  - Protestant revolution spread and Dutch rebelled against Spanish Hasberg rule
• What was Englands relationship with Scotland?


  - ruled by Stuart's

  - closely related but traditionally enemy's

  - Henry invaded Scotland in 1545

  - main ally of france

  - ruled by Mary queen of Scot's
• Why were Bloody Mary and Elizabeth in rivalry

  - they had altering religious opinions

  - Mary converted England to Catholicism and married Phillip II

  - Mary refused to name Elizabeth heir
• When did Bloody Mary die?

  17th November 1558
• When was Elizabeth's coronation?

  15th jan 1559

  - anointed with holy oil

  - given coronation ring
• What was the political system like when Elizabeth ascended?

  Faction ridden
• What is a faction?

  Government with divided opinions/breakaway groups
• What were Elizabeth's problems during accession?

  - young + inexperienced

  - female

  - unmarried with no heir

  - legitimacy was questioned by catholics

  - inherited a poverty crisis and risk of a rebellion

  - Englands relationships with catholic countries was fragile
• What is a formidable monarch?

  A ruler who is respected and a commanding member of authority who possesses strong leadership qualities
• What is sovereignty?

  supreme power or authority
• What is the Great Chain of Being?

  hierarchical system with all species linked in a chain, and each species held a permanent place with no concept of extinction or evolution
• What is a system of patronage?

  It rewards those faithful to the monarch with government jobs and contracts and was how Elizabeth chose the privy council
• What people was the privy council made of?

  Nobles, gentry and men of the church
• What is the Privy Council?

  An inner circle of the monarchs close friends and advisers who acted as her ministers
• What is an example of Elizabeth dismissing a member of her privy council?

  Dismissed William Cecil in 1587 and could dismiss any of the privy council if they offended her
• Which member of her council tried to rebel?

  Earl of Essex in 1601 - he was beheaded for treason in feb 1601
• How did Elizabeth control parliament?

  - they only met when she called it

  - Elizabeth set the agenda for what they were aloud to discuss

  - she was in control of what laws got [assee
• What did parliament often contrast Elizabeth on?

  - religion

  - marriage

  - monopoly licenses
• What was the royal court?

  Run by lord chamberlain and consisted of the queens household called courtiers
• What were courtiers?

  Members of the Royal Court - nobles, advisors, officials and servants who all competed for Elizabeths power and influence
• How did the courtiers help Elizabeth?

  Because she was short on money it allowed her to inherit + mantain a number of royal residences
• What were progresses?

  Journeys around the country that allowed Elizabeth to demonstrate power
• What was the progress made of and what did they do?

  - Made of 400 wagons

  - visited homes of nobility in south east, midlands and east Anglia
• How did progresses help Elizabeth?

  - Allowed her to exercise her relations with the public, who saw her as a goddess

  - Nobel would pay for her luxury life
• How was the court a performance?

  - They were a social hub

  - served as a display of Power

  - subtle propaganda that glorified Elizabeth

  - showed her power/wealth
• What did the Privy Council do?

  - Co-ordinated financial departments, law courts and regional bodies

  - issued instructions to local officials

  - issued proclamations in the queens name

  - commanded arrests and imprisonments
• What was patronage?

  showing favouritism by giving particular men important jobs that were highly sought after which promised wealth and prestige
• How did the patronage system help Elizabeth?

  Although it was corrupt it caused intense competition which therefor made everyone totally loyal to her