Elizabethan England
Elizabeth I:
• Elizabeth’s birth was a disappointment to her father. Henry was desperate to have a son and heir
to continue the Tudor line.
• Henry had divorced his first wide Catherine of Aragon, and married Anne Boleyn who gave birth to
Elizabeth in 1533.
• Anne Boleyn was accused of committing adultery with several men in court and was executed for
treason in 1536, shortly before Elizabeth’s 3rd birthday.
• Henry married Jane Seymour 11 days later and she gave birth to Edward, the male heir Henry had
wanted
• During her father’s reign Elizabeth was well looked after and educated. She was being prepared for
life as a member of the royal court, the large group of advisors that surrounded the monarch. This
would mean she would most likely be married off to an important figure to help an alliance
• Henry VIII died in 1547 and 9-year-old Edward became King.
• Elizabeth went to live with her father’s sixth wife, Katherine Parr and her new husband (Seymour
~ King Edward’s Uncle).
• After Katherine’s death there were accusations that Seymour and Elizabeth were to marry so
that he could gain more influence over the young king. Seymour was executed for treason and
Elizabeth’s loyalty remained under suspicion.
• Edward died in 1553 and Mary became Queen. She spent most of her reign paranoid about
rebellion. She saw her sister Elizabeth as a potential leader for them and had her imprisoned in the
Tower of London in 1554.
• Due to religion Mary’s enemies wanted Elizabeth to replace her.
• Mary died in 1558 and Elizabeth became Queen at 25. When she was crowned, she already had
many enemies.
• She was surrounded by powerful men, many who had served for her father.
• She had had a hard childhood
o Her mother had been executed on her father’s orders
o She had seen one stepmother die in childbirth
o She saw another stepmother also be executed
o She spent years under suspicion
• She was protestant but her sister Mary was a Catholic.
• Suspected of being involved in plot against Mary. So, thrown in the Tower of London.
• Last to Tudor throne and so could learn from sibling’s mistakes
• Did not have children thus led to problem with succession to throne. She wouldn’t marry because
the welfare of her country was more important
• Faced lots of plots and a rebellion by her cousin (because of religion)
• Had a lot of control over the country – not total power because of privy council.
• Most summers, Elizabeth would travel with her Court on tours called progresses, visiting the homes
of the nobility. They allowed Elizabeth to live in luxury at the expense of her subjects. This was a
propaganda opportunity for the Queen It allowed her to impress her leading nobles with her power.
Another way to show loyalty to the Queen was to have a portrait of her. The Queens image was
strictly controlled. There were approved portraits which artists had to copy.
, • She used patronage which is using wealth and power to promote people in her government. This
increased loyalty
Description Importance to Elizabethan politics
Elizabeth was surrounded by Individuals competed with each other to influence the Queen. This allowed Elizabeth
500 courtiers. to control them by ‘divide and rule’ tactics
The Queen travelled around the Subjects got to see their Queen as a goddess, and she could show off her wealth as
country on progresses propaganda. She built relationships with nobles and was able to leave the capital in
the summer when the plague hit London. Was to get noble to compete for her
patronage.
Elizabeth’s chief minister was All correspondence passed through him. Very intelligent and hardworking. He was a
William Cecil stabiliser and didn’t want war
Elizabeth used her patronage It encouraged loyalty to her by breeding rivalry as nobles competed for her father
– another example of divide and rule
Portraits of the Queen were To the subjects it created a mystical image of the Queen, as in them she always
controlled has expensive clothing and jewels and later on some portraits had allegorical symbols.
Her courtiers could get pictures painted as a way to flatter her and advance their
own careers.
As a young woman Elizabeth It meant that she did not always trust people and was very cautious and careful in
faced many dangers her decision making: some historians have criticised her for being indecisive. Her
mother had been executed by her father – so could have made her wary of men
and getting married. Her experiences gave her great insight and maturity into the
problems caused by religion.
Elizabethan Politics:
• Elizabeth’s problems at her accession
o People questioned her ability to rule because she was a woman
o She was young and inexperienced
o At war with France and have no allies
o People questioned her legitimacy and whether she should be queen at all
o Government inherited massive debts from her sister Mary
o People are living in poverty and liable to rebel
o Needs to decide who to appoint as her advisors
o Unmarried and had no children
o Wanted to turn the country’s religious policy upside down again and re-establish
Protestantism as the official religion.
• Parliament
o Made of the house of lords (lords, bishops and nobility) and the House of Commons.
o Much less powerful than modern Parliament but did have influence over tax and laws.
o The Queen decided when to call Parliament and how much of their advice to listen to.
o Elizabeth saw it as a ‘necessary evil’ It only met 13 times in 44 years
o Parliaments role was to pass laws and approve subsidies (grants of money to the Queen).
They only refused her money twice
• Privy Council
o Ran the country day to day. Consisted of Elizabeth’s main advisors.
, o Consisted of 19 advisors – much smaller than Mary’s. Elizabeth believed that a small group
would be more efficient.
o Elizabeth could choose who she wanted on the council but had to appoint the most
powerful landowners to prevent rebellion.
o Dealt with military, foreign affairs, religion and the Queen’s security.
o If the privy council agreed on something it was hard for her to refused.
o Led by Secretary of State
• Lord Lieutenants
o Appointed by the Queen to take administrative responsibility for a particular area.
o Settled disputes, collected taxes, raised military if needed
o Most held other important roles especially privy councillor (so their work would be carried
out by a deputy).
o The position of Lord Lieutenant could lead to great power and influence.
• Justice of the Peace (JPs)
o Each country had several to ensure order was kept, selected by the local gentry, ensured
laws were being followed
o A single JP had the power to send someone to prison, but more than one JP was needed
to sentence to death.
o JPs had to swear to treat rich and poor the same.
• The Court
o The court was made up of the government officials, ladies in waiting and advisors.
o Elizabeth’s court consisted of around 500 people.
o The relationship people had with the Queen was more important than their title.
o On way the queen could ensure loyalty was through patronage. This included giving titles,
power or other records to ensure individuals support
o Banishments from court was considered disgraceful so patronage was highly desired.
• Sir William Cecil
o Born 1520, a member of the Lincolnshire gentry
o He was a protestant and had past experience as a member of parliament and member of
Edward VI’s Council. Made Secretary of State in November 1558.
o A stabiliser, like Elizabeth he wanted to avoid war and untie the nation through moderate
policies. Elizabeth admired the fact that Cecil spoke his mind if he disagreed with her or
other councillors. She relied heavily on Cecil, counting on his loyalty and trusting him
completely.
o Given the title Lord Burghley in 1571 and made Lord Treasurer the following year.
Regularly attended the House of Commons and, later, the House of Lords. A very skilful
parliamentary manager.
o Died 1598
• Sir Francis Walsingham
o Born 1532, from Norfolk gentry
o He was a puritan and had fled during Mary Tudor’s reign.
o He was loyal to Elizabeth and entered Parliament as an MP in 1558. His ability with
languages and foreign contacts made him useful to Elizabeth and he started working with
the government in 1568.
o Appointed to the Privy Council in 1573, became Secretary of State with special
responsibility for foreign affairs. Knighted in 1577.
Elizabeth I:
• Elizabeth’s birth was a disappointment to her father. Henry was desperate to have a son and heir
to continue the Tudor line.
• Henry had divorced his first wide Catherine of Aragon, and married Anne Boleyn who gave birth to
Elizabeth in 1533.
• Anne Boleyn was accused of committing adultery with several men in court and was executed for
treason in 1536, shortly before Elizabeth’s 3rd birthday.
• Henry married Jane Seymour 11 days later and she gave birth to Edward, the male heir Henry had
wanted
• During her father’s reign Elizabeth was well looked after and educated. She was being prepared for
life as a member of the royal court, the large group of advisors that surrounded the monarch. This
would mean she would most likely be married off to an important figure to help an alliance
• Henry VIII died in 1547 and 9-year-old Edward became King.
• Elizabeth went to live with her father’s sixth wife, Katherine Parr and her new husband (Seymour
~ King Edward’s Uncle).
• After Katherine’s death there were accusations that Seymour and Elizabeth were to marry so
that he could gain more influence over the young king. Seymour was executed for treason and
Elizabeth’s loyalty remained under suspicion.
• Edward died in 1553 and Mary became Queen. She spent most of her reign paranoid about
rebellion. She saw her sister Elizabeth as a potential leader for them and had her imprisoned in the
Tower of London in 1554.
• Due to religion Mary’s enemies wanted Elizabeth to replace her.
• Mary died in 1558 and Elizabeth became Queen at 25. When she was crowned, she already had
many enemies.
• She was surrounded by powerful men, many who had served for her father.
• She had had a hard childhood
o Her mother had been executed on her father’s orders
o She had seen one stepmother die in childbirth
o She saw another stepmother also be executed
o She spent years under suspicion
• She was protestant but her sister Mary was a Catholic.
• Suspected of being involved in plot against Mary. So, thrown in the Tower of London.
• Last to Tudor throne and so could learn from sibling’s mistakes
• Did not have children thus led to problem with succession to throne. She wouldn’t marry because
the welfare of her country was more important
• Faced lots of plots and a rebellion by her cousin (because of religion)
• Had a lot of control over the country – not total power because of privy council.
• Most summers, Elizabeth would travel with her Court on tours called progresses, visiting the homes
of the nobility. They allowed Elizabeth to live in luxury at the expense of her subjects. This was a
propaganda opportunity for the Queen It allowed her to impress her leading nobles with her power.
Another way to show loyalty to the Queen was to have a portrait of her. The Queens image was
strictly controlled. There were approved portraits which artists had to copy.
, • She used patronage which is using wealth and power to promote people in her government. This
increased loyalty
Description Importance to Elizabethan politics
Elizabeth was surrounded by Individuals competed with each other to influence the Queen. This allowed Elizabeth
500 courtiers. to control them by ‘divide and rule’ tactics
The Queen travelled around the Subjects got to see their Queen as a goddess, and she could show off her wealth as
country on progresses propaganda. She built relationships with nobles and was able to leave the capital in
the summer when the plague hit London. Was to get noble to compete for her
patronage.
Elizabeth’s chief minister was All correspondence passed through him. Very intelligent and hardworking. He was a
William Cecil stabiliser and didn’t want war
Elizabeth used her patronage It encouraged loyalty to her by breeding rivalry as nobles competed for her father
– another example of divide and rule
Portraits of the Queen were To the subjects it created a mystical image of the Queen, as in them she always
controlled has expensive clothing and jewels and later on some portraits had allegorical symbols.
Her courtiers could get pictures painted as a way to flatter her and advance their
own careers.
As a young woman Elizabeth It meant that she did not always trust people and was very cautious and careful in
faced many dangers her decision making: some historians have criticised her for being indecisive. Her
mother had been executed by her father – so could have made her wary of men
and getting married. Her experiences gave her great insight and maturity into the
problems caused by religion.
Elizabethan Politics:
• Elizabeth’s problems at her accession
o People questioned her ability to rule because she was a woman
o She was young and inexperienced
o At war with France and have no allies
o People questioned her legitimacy and whether she should be queen at all
o Government inherited massive debts from her sister Mary
o People are living in poverty and liable to rebel
o Needs to decide who to appoint as her advisors
o Unmarried and had no children
o Wanted to turn the country’s religious policy upside down again and re-establish
Protestantism as the official religion.
• Parliament
o Made of the house of lords (lords, bishops and nobility) and the House of Commons.
o Much less powerful than modern Parliament but did have influence over tax and laws.
o The Queen decided when to call Parliament and how much of their advice to listen to.
o Elizabeth saw it as a ‘necessary evil’ It only met 13 times in 44 years
o Parliaments role was to pass laws and approve subsidies (grants of money to the Queen).
They only refused her money twice
• Privy Council
o Ran the country day to day. Consisted of Elizabeth’s main advisors.
, o Consisted of 19 advisors – much smaller than Mary’s. Elizabeth believed that a small group
would be more efficient.
o Elizabeth could choose who she wanted on the council but had to appoint the most
powerful landowners to prevent rebellion.
o Dealt with military, foreign affairs, religion and the Queen’s security.
o If the privy council agreed on something it was hard for her to refused.
o Led by Secretary of State
• Lord Lieutenants
o Appointed by the Queen to take administrative responsibility for a particular area.
o Settled disputes, collected taxes, raised military if needed
o Most held other important roles especially privy councillor (so their work would be carried
out by a deputy).
o The position of Lord Lieutenant could lead to great power and influence.
• Justice of the Peace (JPs)
o Each country had several to ensure order was kept, selected by the local gentry, ensured
laws were being followed
o A single JP had the power to send someone to prison, but more than one JP was needed
to sentence to death.
o JPs had to swear to treat rich and poor the same.
• The Court
o The court was made up of the government officials, ladies in waiting and advisors.
o Elizabeth’s court consisted of around 500 people.
o The relationship people had with the Queen was more important than their title.
o On way the queen could ensure loyalty was through patronage. This included giving titles,
power or other records to ensure individuals support
o Banishments from court was considered disgraceful so patronage was highly desired.
• Sir William Cecil
o Born 1520, a member of the Lincolnshire gentry
o He was a protestant and had past experience as a member of parliament and member of
Edward VI’s Council. Made Secretary of State in November 1558.
o A stabiliser, like Elizabeth he wanted to avoid war and untie the nation through moderate
policies. Elizabeth admired the fact that Cecil spoke his mind if he disagreed with her or
other councillors. She relied heavily on Cecil, counting on his loyalty and trusting him
completely.
o Given the title Lord Burghley in 1571 and made Lord Treasurer the following year.
Regularly attended the House of Commons and, later, the House of Lords. A very skilful
parliamentary manager.
o Died 1598
• Sir Francis Walsingham
o Born 1532, from Norfolk gentry
o He was a puritan and had fled during Mary Tudor’s reign.
o He was loyal to Elizabeth and entered Parliament as an MP in 1558. His ability with
languages and foreign contacts made him useful to Elizabeth and he started working with
the government in 1568.
o Appointed to the Privy Council in 1573, became Secretary of State with special
responsibility for foreign affairs. Knighted in 1577.
