Later years

• Elizabeth hoped that the definition of the royal prerogative would end attempts to undermine it. 1588 - MPs unhappy about her privileges, less willing to accept purveyance and monopolies
• 1593= the commons asked to fix the issue of purveyance but Cecil said it infringed the royal prerogative.
• Parliament was summoned 4 times after 1588 as she needed money. Later parliaments were less willing to grant it
• Impact of the Spanish Armada

  • showed the power of England
  • caused financial problems
  • invasion scares in the 1590s
  • 1599 - forced to sell crown lands and reduce court expenditure
• Elizabeth had no clear policy after the Spanish Armada
• Bad harvests in the 1580s and 90s= the price of bread doubled, death rate due to malnutrition increased by 50%
• 1597 and 1601 - unrest about monopolies
• Oxfordshire protests in 1596

  • govt became paranoid about unrest
  • protest due to enclosure - not a large threat, but the govt responded harshly
  • controlled unrest, govt thought it was bigger threat
• Irish Rebellion 1598

  • most serious unrest
  • fear that the Irish would allow Spanish troops to form a base - attracted lots of support
  • Essex was unable to deal with it so replaced by Mountjoy
  • ended in 1603
• Essex Rebellion 1601

  • failed in the irish rebellion damaging his reputation
  • had support in Court and London, but his defiance reduced support and his monopoly for sweet wines was removed so he had less income
  • attempted to raise a rebellion but not supported
  • crushed easily - viewed as nuisance
• Elizabeth faced opposition due to the 1590s economic crisis
• The attendance of her court declined and she made less presences
• Her looks diminished and in 1596 portraits which threatened her image were destroyed
• Her Golden Speech won lots of support in Parliament.
• Her image as Gloriana was damaged
• Factional struggles between Cecil and Essex damaged her reputation
• Scandals undermined Elizabeths authority in court