Elizabeth

Context:

Humiliation after losing Calais

Religious division

Economic recession following inflation and bad harvest

Difficulty as an unmarried female from both Protestants and Catholics.

Government-

Elizabeth’s tactic was to use the power of the nobles at a local level by appointing them to Lord Lieutenant. This meant that to report back, they had to spent some time in court where they could be monitored.

Parliament

Parliament’s influence increased by the Crown’s financial problems. There was growing conflict. Could have been that because she did not call Parliament as much, they were not needed?

Elizabeth controlled her Parliament by making strong speeches. She also had her council present and managed Parliament’s time.

Voting divided the house with the Ayes and Noes.

Parliament was also more self confident and able to challenge Elizabeth on issues.

Privy Council

However with the Privy Council the numbers were reduced to that it was easier to manage. She appointed people with a variety of idea. Many of Elizabeth’s ministers were extremely loyal.

Participated in all discussions.

Consulted with those outside the Council.

However towards the end of her reign it can be said that she did not have as much control.

Cecil: Cecil was a big influence on the Queen due to being highly intelligent. He knew how to best put forward ideas that would be approved by the queen. Cecil was able to successfully get involved in the Scotland problem by supporting the Scottish Protestants. He helped to draft Elizabeth’s correspondence with foreign ambassadors.

He helped to build up a prudent economic policy which cut government expenditure, saving form ordinary revenue and selling crown land. This meant that England could reach the cost of war and end Elizabeth’s reign with a comparatively small debt. Cecil also built up an intelligience service both at home and abroad as well as propaganda that helped people to accept Elizabeth as well as her Religious Settlement.

Yes: She decided who to appoint to her Privy Council.

Could choose when to hold and dismiss Parliament.

Ensured loyalty through patronage.

Had the final say in all decisions.

Directly and indirectly controlled all appointments and dismissals.

Economics-Crown lands were sold off in her reign, bringing in £600,000. Custom duties were also raised, however they were not able to take into account inflation. Ordinary revenue was collected vigorously.

The Government also failed to keep records, bring in taxation in relation to inflation or impose it on everyone. The crown was also dependant on forced loans because feudal dues and customs failed.

Elizabeth left the Crown in debt.

Foreign Policy-Elizabeth was able to prevent the Spanish Armada from reaching England which was the most notably successful since the battle of Agincourt. The Elizabethan era also saw voyages of discovery and exploration.

Religion-1559 Protestant Settlement-The English Prayer book and 39 Articles (which still remains a part of the Church of England)

However, England was reasonably flexible in terms of religion. Parisioners could choose to take communion standing or kneeling depending on the preference of the community or minister.

The Act of Uniformity became popular and a part of the culture. She was abe to prevent religious opposition such as Mary Queen of Scots.

Elizabeth also had to take into account the Puritans, Jesuits and Recusants.

Opposition-Northern Rising of 1559 showed Elizabeth that Mary would always be a catalyst for potential Catholic opposition. Elizabeth had not married or had an heir which only increased Mary’s significance.

The North was catholic and the earls were also supportive of the plan.

However, Cecil heard of the plan and imprisioned Mary to Coventry. The earls also gave up hope and fled over the Scottish border once the soldiers reached Durham. But the rebels had managed to restore mass at Durham cathedral. The Earls also wanted to overthrow Cecil as they saw him as too influential. THey blamed him for poor policy decisions.

However the rebellion was in midwinter and the earls were freezing and starving. Support for the rebels was limited geographically. Over 450 rebels were executed.

The Council of the North was given more powers. For example the Earl of Huginton broke down the feudal system that had made the rebels so powerful.

It can be said though that the root of the problem lay in Mary Queen of Scots. But De Spes and Mary was weakened.