Elizabeth's Court, Government, and Parliament
Elizabeth's Court, Government, and Parliament
Elizabeth I became Queen of England on 17 November 1558, aged 25. She inherited a kingdom divided by religious conflict, threatened by foreign powers, and recovering from the short, troubled reigns of her half-siblings Edward VI and Mary I. Elizabeth would rule for 45 years until her death in 1603, and her reign is remembered as a golden age of English culture and power.
Elizabeth's Character and Challenges
Elizabeth was intelligent, well-educated (she spoke six languages), and politically shrewd. However, she faced serious challenges:
- Gender — Many people believed a woman could not rule effectively. John Knox published "The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women" (1558), arguing female rule was against God's will.
- Marriage and succession — Elizabeth was expected to marry and produce an heir. Parliament repeatedly urged her to marry, but she refused, famously declaring she was "married to England." This meant the succession was uncertain — her cousin Mary Queen of Scots was the leading Catholic claimant.
- Religion — England was bitterly divided between Catholics and Protestants. Elizabeth needed to find a settlement that avoided civil war.
- Finance — The Crown was in debt. Elizabeth had to manage finances carefully, relying on Parliament to grant taxation.
The Structure of Government
Elizabeth governed through several key institutions:
The Privy Council
- Elizabeth's chief advisory body, typically 19-20 members (she reduced it from Mary I's 39).
- Met almost daily; discussed policy, law, finance, religion, and security.
- Key members included:
- Sir William Cecil (later Lord Burghley) — Elizabeth's Principal Secretary and closest adviser from 1558 until his death in 1598. Cautious, Protestant, loyal.
- Sir Francis Walsingham — Principal Secretary from 1573; ran the spy network that uncovered Catholic plots against Elizabeth.
- Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester — Elizabeth's favourite; close personal friend; led military expeditions.
- Robert Cecil — William Cecil's son; took over as chief adviser in the 1590s.
Parliament
- Elizabeth summoned Parliament only 13 times in 45 years (she did not need it when she was not requesting taxes).
- Parliament had two houses: the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
- Elizabeth needed Parliament to grant taxation (subsidies) and to pass laws (Acts of Parliament).
- Parliament increasingly tried to discuss issues Elizabeth considered her royal prerogative — particularly religion, marriage, and the succession. Elizabeth used her power to:
- Open and close Parliament at will
- Veto bills she did not like
- Forbid discussion of certain topics (e.g. her marriage)
- Deliver powerful speeches (her "Golden Speech" of 1601 is famous)
The Royal Court
- The court was the centre of political and social life; it moved with Elizabeth between her palaces (Whitehall, Greenwich, Hampton Court, Richmond, Nonsuch).
- Courtiers competed for the Queen's favour, which could bring wealth, titles, and power. The key to success was patronage — Elizabeth's ability to grant land, offices, and monopolies.
- Court life involved elaborate ceremony, entertainment, and display. Elizabeth used portraits, progresses (royal tours of the country), and pageantry to project her image as Gloriana — the powerful, virginal queen.
Key Exam Points
- Understand the balance of power between Elizabeth and Parliament — she controlled it, but needed its cooperation.
- The role of the Privy Council (especially Cecil and Walsingham) is essential.
- Elizabeth's decision not to marry was politically significant — it kept her independent but created uncertainty about the succession.