Elizabethan government

• When did Elizabeth come to the throne?

  • 1558
  • She was the fifth Tudor monarch to reign.
• The Coronation

  • Was deliberately designed to be a splendid and colourful event to show off the power of the new monarch.
  • At intervals of the coronation, pageants were performed and musical instruments were played.
  • Ceremonies lasting several days, wanted to show wealth.
• Elizabeths position under Mary

  • As she was a protestant, it was a difficult time for Elizabeth.
  • Especially, after the outbreak of a Protestant rebellion in 1554 in which Elizabeth was suspected to be involved and was imprisoned by Mary.
  • She was charged with treason.
• Elizabeths popularity

  • Elizabeth received a good education, could conserve in Greek, Latin and French and Italian.
  • She loved dancing, music and riding.
  • She favoured the bible in English.
  • She spent lavishly on her appearance, taking pride in her clothes, which were adorned in fine jewels and ornaments.
  • Wanted to project an image of power.
• The use of portraits

  • She projected her image of royal authority through portraits.
  • After catching small pox in 1562, the queens face was badly scarred.
  • By 1590's her hair was thinning causing her to wear a wig and her teeth were black.
  • Portraits were used as means of propaganda created an image of a monarch who was ageless and powerful.
• Royal progresses

  • Elizabeth undertook regular royal progresses, touring the countryside, staying in the house of her nobles and receiving free accommodation and entertainment.
  • Events took place during summer months when travelling was easier.
  • For about 10 weeks each year, she undertook these progresses.
• Popularity of these progresses

  • Ensuring Elizabeth was seen by her subjects.
  • Helped drawn popularity to Elizabeth.
  • Also assures she has control over her nobles.
• The Royal Court

  • The centre of all political power.
  • Elizabeths ladies in waiting and servants, chief advisors and government officials made up the Royal court and travelled with Elizabeth on her royal progresses.
  • Enabled Elizabeth to keep close eye on them and control and challenge her councillors.
• The use of the Patronage

  • Ambitious Nobles would try to get access to the queens court in hope of being noticed by Elizabeth and possibly be granted an important position.
  • Elizabeth used the system as an advantage as she knew she had the power to make or break the nobles.
• The Privy Council

  • This was a body of advisors and ministers, appointed by the queen, to help her rule.
  • These councillors were chosen from members of the noble and gentry classes.
  • The council met regularly and more frequently later in her reign to deal with specific issues.
• Local government

  • Elizabeth had to rely upon a trusted body of officials to ensure that her rule was respected and that law and order was maintained.
• The lord lieutenant

  • Chief amongst these royal officials.
  • One was appointed for each county and they kept the queen informed about what was happening in their area.
  • They supervised the work of the JIPs and reported upon local events to the privy council.
• The sheriff

  • Each country had a sheriff and were chiefly concerned with legal affairs such as swearing in juries, delivering prisoners to court.
• Justices of the peace

  • Numbered between 30 and 60 per country and usually wealthy country gentlemen.
  • Their job was unpaid but was viewed as a duty.
  • Given the tasks of overseeing the maintenance of the highways and administering poor law relief to the unemployed.
  • Real work of maintaining law and order.
• The parish constable and night watch-man

  • Patrolled the streets at night looking out for criminals.
  • Given a range of duties under the supervision of the JP
• The role of the Parliament

  • The main motive for calling the parliament was usually financial.
  • Elizabeth needed the parliament to grant money from taxes to pay for the running of the country.
  • Pass acts of parliament
• Parliament was made up of:

  • The house of lords: non-elected body of about 100 lords, bishops and judges.
  • The house of commons: Contained about 450 members of parliament who were elected by wealthy landowners.
• Freedom of speech

  • While MPs had in theory freedom of speech, Elizabeth set boundaries such as no discussion about foreign policy and religion.
  • She told them they had no right to discuss issues that were personal to her.
• Taxation and Finance

  • Monarchs were expected to pay for the cost of running the country from their own finances.
  • Tudor monarchs often found themselves short of money.
  • Only parliament had the power to raise money through taxation.
  • The situation was worse in Elizabeth's reign due to high inflation causing prices to rise.