Factions

• The first few years of Elizabeth’s reign witnessed a period of political unity, but due to William Cecil’s unrivalled political prominence at court and his close working relationship with Elizabeth, he was a target for rival factions
• • Factions in Court could help Elizabeth control and dominate her Council; men could influence Elizabeth in one of two ways:
  • Some were “the male favourite” of the moment; these men tended to rise initially through the Court (e.g. the Earls of Leicester and Essex, Sir Walter Raleigh)
  • Others, were politicians or administrators who had to attend Court to maintain their influence (e.g. William Cecil or Sir Francis Walsingham)
• Factions were often due to self interest and short term aims; Cecil, and his biggest rival Robert Dudley (Earl of Leicester) sometimes were on the same side, and even when enemies they never wished to see the other harmed
• Factions were often due to self interest and short term aims; Cecil, and his biggest rival Robert Dudley (Earl of Leicester) sometimes were on the same side, and even when enemies they never wished to see the other harmed
• There were three great factional rivalries in Elizabeth’s-forty-five-year-reign:

  • The Earl of Sussex Vs The Earl of Leicester
  • William Cecil Vs The Earl of Leicester
  • Robert Cecil Vs The Earl of Essex
• Factions benefited Elizabeth as fighting with each other means they aren't trying to fight her; if they were unified, she could be in danger
• Elizabeth managed factions by making made the “party heads” bond (like with Sussex and Leicester), but if one side went too far - Essex and his revolt - she swiftly had them dealt with