Lizzie

• Scotland was ruled by the stuarts and was mostly catholic until the Protestant reformation in the late 1550s. Their biggest ally was France
• Elizabeth was crowned November 1558 at age 25
• Most summers, Elizabeth travelled with her court on tours called progresses where she visited the homes of the nobles. This allowed Elizabeth to be seen by her subjects regularly and to build up a relationship with her people and flatter the nobles
• The court acted as a social hub, providing the Queen and her courtiers with a home and entertainment as well as acting political and legal. It served to give an impression of power by displaying the Queen’s magnificence and hosted banquets as subtle propaganda.
• As the privy chamber became staffed by women, it had been politically reduced and so Elizabeth delt with this by using a system of patronage.
• The system of patronage was extremely effective as it caused intense competition and rivalry between the nobles and ensured loyalty. It’s also also insured that the court remain political and Elizabeth remained the heart of the whole political system
• The privy council coordinated financial department, law courts, and regional bodies
• Members of the privy Council were generally from nobility, the gentry and the church, but Elizabeth could choose and dismiss members whenever she wanted
• The privy council met at court almost daily but Elizabeth did not always attend meetings as she came to trust her privy council, rarely interfering on a day-to-day basis.

  However she kept accurate notes to monitor their work
• The key role of the privy council that was to advise and direct policy but the Queen was not obliged to take their advice. In fact Elizabeth often demonstrated her right to ignore their advice making a strong statement about her own political independence.
• It was Queen Elizabeth who made policy decisions and the Privy Council was responsible for implementing them.
• The privy council still had considerable powers such as issuing proclamation in the Queen’s name which had the force of the law as well as being able to command arrest and imprisonment
• Mary had a 40 member council whereas Elizabeth only had 19
• William Cecil was loyal but also knew how to manage the queen. He often threatened to resign to make her cooperate and carefully used parliament to manipulate Elizabeth into taking the position he wanted. however Elizabeth respected him for speaking his mind whilst also knowing that he would carry out her wishes, even if he personally disagreed.
• Whilst the privy council was effective because it was small making it more manageable, some people say it was a weakness as it caused resentment from other powerful regional nobles possibly encouraging rebellion
• sir Francis Walsingham was in charge of the. Elizabethan Secret Service as he was a highly efficient spy master, controlling the network of informers at home and abroad and uncovered numerous plots against Elizabeth
• Sir Walsingham had an ability at languages and foreign contacts which made him extremely useful to Elizabeth
• Robert Dudley was Elizabeth’s childhood friend who was radical and Puritan meaning he frequently argued with Cecil about the succession, religion and foreign policy. This was useful to Elizabeth as it showed her different outcomes and perspectives.
• Sir Christopher Hatton was a moderate protestant who hated puritans and sympathised with Catholics. He helped Elizabeth control the MPs and secure their support
• In 1544 an act was passed that restored Elizabeth as an heir to the throne, allowing her to attend important events and court
• Henry’s 6th wife Catherine Parr wanted Elizabeth to learn how to read, write and basic arithmetics
• Being a member of the court enable Elizabeth to learn about the politics and factions that played a significant part in court life before she became queen
• Thomas Seymour married Catherine Parr after Henry died and Elizabeth live with them until he started grooming her. When the affair was discovered, it was suggested that he wanted to overthrow Edward and marry Elizabeth, but Elizabeth convinced the investigators of her innocence. This event taught her valuable political lessons to keep her distance and trust nobody.
• Cecil was also known as Lord Burghley due to his wealth and influence. He owned land worth £3000 per year and had many connections throughout Europe
• Lord lieutenants were appointed by the queen to be responsible for particular areas of the country. They collected taxes and raised a militia to fight for the queen if needed. (Spanish armada)
• The local gentry selected justices of peace to ensure that laws had passed and were properly enforced, especially the Elizabeth poor Laws
• Parliament passed laws and raise taxes.

  the Queen only called parliament when she needed money
• Elizabeth limited the influence of parliament by:

  attending parliament in person

  delivering speeches

  using Royal veto

  imprisoning MPs that challenged her

  dissolving parliament whenever she wanted

  patronage
• Elizabeth didn’t want to marry the wrong person or nominate an heir in case it placed her in danger
• Elizabeth wanted to make Lady Catherine and Lady Mary (her cousins) her heir, but they both secretly married and they were imprisoned in tower of London for the rest of their lives
• It was decided by Robert Cecil in 1601 to make King James Elizabeth’s successor for a smooth transition.

  Letters seem to show that she saw James as an heir
• All of Elizabeth’s suitors had too many cons, such as being already married

  not being from a Noble family

  not being from England

  or not being protestant
• The Earl of Essex was jealous of Robert Cecil as Cecil was a member of the privy council meaning he had more power
• The early of Essex came back from Ireland without permission, walked in on Elizabeth Half dressed, escaped house arrest, insulted the queen and also married without permission. This led to him being banned from court.
• The earl of Essex Began to plan a rebellion in 1601 but he had very little support as his supporters were offered a pardon if they deserted him.
• The Earl of Essex was executed 1601 for treason
• The Elizabethan age saw the growth in a new group of wealthy people - the gentry

  they did not have the same social status as the nobles but they became increasingly wealthy and therefore powerful
• Many nobles and members of the gentry built their houses in an E shape to honour the queen
• 1574 statutes of apparel controlled the clothes people were allowed to wear depending on their rank
• The period saw an explosion of cultural achievement influenced by humanism in Europe