Government

• Privy Council's main functions

  -advising on state matters, crown finances and national defense

  -managing parliament

  -overseeing regional councils and local officials

  -act as court of law

  -enforce religious settlements
• how many regular privy council members

  around 10
• chief advisor


  William Cecil
• Robert Dudley


  Elizabeth's favourite, joined council in 1562
• Francis Walsingham


  chief spy minister in 1573-90 and key in convincing Elizabeth of the execution of Mary Queen of Scots
• Robert Cecil's clash with Earl of Essex in 1590s


  led to Essex rebellion in 1601 and Essex was banned from court for arrogant behaviour and executed
• Robert Cecil (William Cecil's son)

  Made Privy councillor in 1593 and Principle Secretary in 1596
• How mnay times was Parliament called?

  13 out of Elizabeth's 44 year reign
• How many Acts passed by Elizabeth's Parliament?

  438
• How many bills did Elizabeth refuse to grant royal asset that had already passed both houses?

  over 60
• Dudley (Leicester) banished from court


  1566 - because he and Cecil continued to pressure Elizabeth to marry
• debate over monopolies


  1601 - compromise achieved and ended with Queen's Golden Speech to crowded court of MPs (farewell to Golden Age speech)
• Peter Wentworth's arrest


  1576 - for appealing for freedom of speech in court and matters such as marriage, succession, religion etc.
• Golden Speech


  1601 Elizabeth's final speech to parliament where she banned monopolies and reinforced how much she loved her people and country
• How many people at Elizabeth's Golden Speech

  141 members of the House of Commons