Elizabethan Government
Royal Court –
The presence chamber was a relatively open area, where
anyone with sufficient connections could gain access to. This
acted as the centre of patronage.
The Privy Chamber was still more important than the presence
chamber, but had lost some of its early influence, since
Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber could no longer gain access to
the Monarch.
Elizabeth primarily chose the Lord Chamberlain from the a
noble relative. As the reign progressed, the line between
courtier and politician became more blurred.
Factional Rivalry –
The structure of Government in her early years prevented the
rise of factional rivalries. For example, no one minister had
complete control over patronage.
Though the Earl of Leicester and Cecil disagreed on the Queen’s
marriage, there were other topics on which they could agree.
This cooperation began to decline in the 1590’s. as fierce
clashes between Robert Cecil and the Earl of Essex made
government ineffective.
The Earl of Essex had become financially bankrupt, had lost his
monopoly on wine, and had failed as a military leader in
Ireland. His reaction was to start an armed coup, which despite
failing, highlighted how unpopular Elizabeth and Cecil had
become. By 1601 they were quickly losing authority.
Royal Court –
The presence chamber was a relatively open area, where
anyone with sufficient connections could gain access to. This
acted as the centre of patronage.
The Privy Chamber was still more important than the presence
chamber, but had lost some of its early influence, since
Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber could no longer gain access to
the Monarch.
Elizabeth primarily chose the Lord Chamberlain from the a
noble relative. As the reign progressed, the line between
courtier and politician became more blurred.
Factional Rivalry –
The structure of Government in her early years prevented the
rise of factional rivalries. For example, no one minister had
complete control over patronage.
Though the Earl of Leicester and Cecil disagreed on the Queen’s
marriage, there were other topics on which they could agree.
This cooperation began to decline in the 1590’s. as fierce
clashes between Robert Cecil and the Earl of Essex made
government ineffective.
The Earl of Essex had become financially bankrupt, had lost his
monopoly on wine, and had failed as a military leader in
Ireland. His reaction was to start an armed coup, which despite
failing, highlighted how unpopular Elizabeth and Cecil had
become. By 1601 they were quickly losing authority.
