Elizabethan Monarchy and
Government
How did Elizabeth use her court to improve her reputation?
Masques Evening entertainment, often anti-Papal.
Musical evenings Loved dance, so permanent. Based on achievement of reign
(after Babington Plot was found out in 1586)
Drama Grew in popularity throughout reign
Miniatures Small portraits of Queen; sign of loyalty from courtiers.
Royal progresses Stayed at homes of nobles and courtiers; allowed them to vie
for her patronage
Tournaments Accession Day joust, with knights performing heroic deeds to
show their loyalty to the Queen
Chivalry Depicted the themes of the triumph of Good over Evil
(Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queen)
Sustained good relationships between nobility and the Queen; identifying
with the monarch was good for superiority from lower classes.
How did Elizabeth’s image spread through lower levels of society?
Sermons Homily of Obedience by state licensed clergy
Images Images were popular after the ban during Mary’s rule, with a
1563 proclamation reserving the right to approve images
Printing presses Stories of the Queen dedicating herself to her people
Festivals Accession Day; furthered the cult of Gloriana
Plays Licences given on the basis they did not contain direct
references to the Queen or the Church (Shakespeare’s focus
on previous tyrants)
The cult of Gloriana made up for her gender and lack of heir, enduring
love of her subjects.
How important was the Privy Council in the government of England?
To maximise efficiency, there was a permanent clerk to take
minutes
Summoned a dozen at a time and they accompanied her as the
court moved around- always immediate if there was any conflict
Elizabeth was not obliged to follow their advice, but rarely ever
ignored it
Tried to balance opinion (Appointed Dudley a Protestant and Duke
of Norfolk, a Catholic in 1562)
By the 1570s the main councillors were Cecil, Leicester, and
Walsingham, as well as Hatton and Elizabeth would consult Sussex.
Only Derby was there for territorial reasons
, Influential figures of Elizabeth’s court
Cecil Secretary of State, Lord Treasurer and one of the most influential and
consistent Councillor.
Hatton A favourite of Elizabeth, who stayed single for her. Promoted to Lord
Chancellor, given many monopolies, and made Chancellor of Oxford
University.
Walsingha “Spymaster” who uncovered the Babington Plot. Blunt, religious and had
m strong links to Europe.
Leicester Complex character who was a suitor for Elizabeth. Ambitious and always
apart of a faction, he clashed with Cecil and supported war in Netherlands.
Sussex Lord Chamberlain.
Norfolk Leader of “Howard” faction and had immense power over local government
officials. Executed for involvement in Ridolfi plot (1571)
Essex Favourite courtier made Councillor in 1590s. Led an uprising and was
executed.
Three main groups of councillors
1. Nobility, who were seen as natural advisors (Duke of Norfolk, Earl
of Pembroke)
2. Those will experience from previous monarchs (commoners like
Sir Thomas Cheney, Treasurer of Household)
3. Those whom Elizabeth considered suitable, like a lot of gentry
who had been enriched from monastic land or courtiers she liked
(Walsingham and Cecil)
Functions of Council
Chief administrative and executive body of realm
Security, policy and consider petitions
Met Three times a week, but by 1590s it was daily
Office Function How Why was it important
important
Privy Advisors on key Most Often continuity with Mary’s
Council matters, like important. court, with powerful nobles.
succession and foreign New men like the Earl of
threat. Bedford who were loyal to
Elizabeth, whose families had
been enriched with monastic
land.
Tended to rely on a few men
and by 1559, it was said
mostly Cecil, Bacon and Parry
advised her regularly.
Courtie Two-thirds nobility and Important Her courtiers had an
rs gentry who attended enough. influence on her political
her court. Could policy, such as men like the
become Councillors Duke of Sussex (involved in
putting down Northern
Rebellion) and Sir Walter
Raleigh.
Government
How did Elizabeth use her court to improve her reputation?
Masques Evening entertainment, often anti-Papal.
Musical evenings Loved dance, so permanent. Based on achievement of reign
(after Babington Plot was found out in 1586)
Drama Grew in popularity throughout reign
Miniatures Small portraits of Queen; sign of loyalty from courtiers.
Royal progresses Stayed at homes of nobles and courtiers; allowed them to vie
for her patronage
Tournaments Accession Day joust, with knights performing heroic deeds to
show their loyalty to the Queen
Chivalry Depicted the themes of the triumph of Good over Evil
(Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queen)
Sustained good relationships between nobility and the Queen; identifying
with the monarch was good for superiority from lower classes.
How did Elizabeth’s image spread through lower levels of society?
Sermons Homily of Obedience by state licensed clergy
Images Images were popular after the ban during Mary’s rule, with a
1563 proclamation reserving the right to approve images
Printing presses Stories of the Queen dedicating herself to her people
Festivals Accession Day; furthered the cult of Gloriana
Plays Licences given on the basis they did not contain direct
references to the Queen or the Church (Shakespeare’s focus
on previous tyrants)
The cult of Gloriana made up for her gender and lack of heir, enduring
love of her subjects.
How important was the Privy Council in the government of England?
To maximise efficiency, there was a permanent clerk to take
minutes
Summoned a dozen at a time and they accompanied her as the
court moved around- always immediate if there was any conflict
Elizabeth was not obliged to follow their advice, but rarely ever
ignored it
Tried to balance opinion (Appointed Dudley a Protestant and Duke
of Norfolk, a Catholic in 1562)
By the 1570s the main councillors were Cecil, Leicester, and
Walsingham, as well as Hatton and Elizabeth would consult Sussex.
Only Derby was there for territorial reasons
, Influential figures of Elizabeth’s court
Cecil Secretary of State, Lord Treasurer and one of the most influential and
consistent Councillor.
Hatton A favourite of Elizabeth, who stayed single for her. Promoted to Lord
Chancellor, given many monopolies, and made Chancellor of Oxford
University.
Walsingha “Spymaster” who uncovered the Babington Plot. Blunt, religious and had
m strong links to Europe.
Leicester Complex character who was a suitor for Elizabeth. Ambitious and always
apart of a faction, he clashed with Cecil and supported war in Netherlands.
Sussex Lord Chamberlain.
Norfolk Leader of “Howard” faction and had immense power over local government
officials. Executed for involvement in Ridolfi plot (1571)
Essex Favourite courtier made Councillor in 1590s. Led an uprising and was
executed.
Three main groups of councillors
1. Nobility, who were seen as natural advisors (Duke of Norfolk, Earl
of Pembroke)
2. Those will experience from previous monarchs (commoners like
Sir Thomas Cheney, Treasurer of Household)
3. Those whom Elizabeth considered suitable, like a lot of gentry
who had been enriched from monastic land or courtiers she liked
(Walsingham and Cecil)
Functions of Council
Chief administrative and executive body of realm
Security, policy and consider petitions
Met Three times a week, but by 1590s it was daily
Office Function How Why was it important
important
Privy Advisors on key Most Often continuity with Mary’s
Council matters, like important. court, with powerful nobles.
succession and foreign New men like the Earl of
threat. Bedford who were loyal to
Elizabeth, whose families had
been enriched with monastic
land.
Tended to rely on a few men
and by 1559, it was said
mostly Cecil, Bacon and Parry
advised her regularly.
Courtie Two-thirds nobility and Important Her courtiers had an
rs gentry who attended enough. influence on her political
her court. Could policy, such as men like the
become Councillors Duke of Sussex (involved in
putting down Northern
Rebellion) and Sir Walter
Raleigh.
