Charlotte Corrigan
Explain the importance of Parliament in Elizabethan government (8 marks)
In Elizabethan England, Parliament consisted of lords, bishops and nobles who were all male
wealthy landowners and their jobs were to discuss issues and advise Queen Elizabeth.
Parliament was mainly responsible for passing laws and setting taxes and it consisted of the
House of Lords and the House of Commons. Additionally, Parliament was a crucial part of
Elizabethan government and played an essential part during Elizabeth’s reign. Despite
Queen Elizabeth being able to call on Parliament at any desired time and not having to listen
to what they said, she was unable to ignore Parliament completely. Without Parliament,
Elizabeth would have not been allowed to introduce new laws and collect taxes. To pass
laws, Elizabeth needed an Act of Parliament to be passed and this could not happen without
the presence of Parliament. Moreover, to raise finance and collect taxes she needed the
consent of Parliament. During Elizabeth’s reign the country suffered from financial instability
and inflation. Therefore, it would have been challenging to tackle the country’s financial
problems without the intervention of Parliament as Parliament’s consent was essential for
the collection of taxes.
In addition, Parliament was also important to the Elizabethan government as before
Elizabeth was crowned Queen, her father Henry VIII constructed the principle of the King in
Parliament. It stated that any taxes and legislation imposed by the King had much better
authority if they were approved of by Parliament.
Furthermore, Parliament was also vital in Elizabethan England as the members of
Parliament represented the voice of the people. Therefore, the MPs and the nobles from
the House of Lords utilised Parliament to criticise Queen Elizabeth and the government. It
also allowed the common welfare to have their voices and opinions heard. This resulted in a
more democratic government and the government would cater for the needs of a wider
society.
Explain the importance of Parliament in Elizabethan government (8 marks)
In Elizabethan England, Parliament consisted of lords, bishops and nobles who were all male
wealthy landowners and their jobs were to discuss issues and advise Queen Elizabeth.
Parliament was mainly responsible for passing laws and setting taxes and it consisted of the
House of Lords and the House of Commons. Additionally, Parliament was a crucial part of
Elizabethan government and played an essential part during Elizabeth’s reign. Despite
Queen Elizabeth being able to call on Parliament at any desired time and not having to listen
to what they said, she was unable to ignore Parliament completely. Without Parliament,
Elizabeth would have not been allowed to introduce new laws and collect taxes. To pass
laws, Elizabeth needed an Act of Parliament to be passed and this could not happen without
the presence of Parliament. Moreover, to raise finance and collect taxes she needed the
consent of Parliament. During Elizabeth’s reign the country suffered from financial instability
and inflation. Therefore, it would have been challenging to tackle the country’s financial
problems without the intervention of Parliament as Parliament’s consent was essential for
the collection of taxes.
In addition, Parliament was also important to the Elizabethan government as before
Elizabeth was crowned Queen, her father Henry VIII constructed the principle of the King in
Parliament. It stated that any taxes and legislation imposed by the King had much better
authority if they were approved of by Parliament.
Furthermore, Parliament was also vital in Elizabethan England as the members of
Parliament represented the voice of the people. Therefore, the MPs and the nobles from
the House of Lords utilised Parliament to criticise Queen Elizabeth and the government. It
also allowed the common welfare to have their voices and opinions heard. This resulted in a
more democratic government and the government would cater for the needs of a wider
society.
