Elizabeth & Government

Elizabeth I and her Parliament

Parliament's power increased over the 16th century. A historical debate has developed over whether conflict between Crown and parliament increased during Elizabeth’s reign.

Neale’s ‘Puritan Choir’ Thesis

A historian called Neale developed a thesis on the role of Parliament:
- Parliament’s increasing importance, especially in religious matters, increasingly encouraged factionalism and opposition to royal authority in the Commons.
- A group of Puritans (the ‘Puritan Choir’) demanded more Protestant reforms for the Church of England.
- The Puritan Choir is evidence of a more organised Commons that was prepared to contest Elizabeth’s policies.

Evidence to support Neale's thesis

The Commons angered Elizabeth I by discussing the succession in 1566 and religious reform in 1593.
There were conflicts between the Commons and Queen over monopolies in 1601. The Queen granted the Common's demands.
Between 1563 and 1566, at least 40 MPs (working together) pressed for more strongly Protestant religious reform.
The Commons asserted their rights:
- To have free speech in 1576 and 1593.
- To settle an election dispute in a Norfolk constituency in 1586.

Revisionist thesis

Historians such as Elton interpreted the Parliament differently to Neale. This different view is called revisionism.
There was more cooperation than conflict. Any opposition was infrequent, not organised, and never a serious challenge to Elizabeth I.
Any disagreements were usually working out policies, not actual conflicts.
There were only 13 parliaments, on average 10 weeks each, in a 45-year reign. The rest of the time Elizabeth ruled through the Privy Council and its machinery.

Evidence to support the revisionist thesis

Most of the time, the Commons gave Elizabeth what she wanted.
Elizabeth forbade both the Commons and the Privy Council from discussing her marriage and succession.
Parliament was effectively under the control of the Privy Council and nobility. At least a third of MPs were nominated by a noble patron, not elected.
The Commons conceded to the Lord Chancellor over the 1586 Norfolk election.
There was no general, concerted support for freedom of speech.

Regional Government During Elizabeth I's Reign

Under the Tudors, and especially from the break with Rome, central government interference in local communities increased.

Justices of the Peace (JPs)

JPs implemented a range of government policies. The poor laws greatly increased their responsibilities.
Under Elizabeth I, the trend towards increasing the number of JPs continued. By 1600, there was an average of 50 per county.
JPs were unpaid. Even though their workload increased, there were always volunteers because of the prestige of the role locally.

Lord Lieutenants

Lord Lieutenants became permanent in the latter half of Elizabeth’ reign. England was at war with Spain from 1585 until after Elizabeth’s death.
They were usually members of the nobility.
They raised local militias, oversaw the work of JPs, managed food supplies during times of war or famine, collected forced loans and reported local events to the Privy Council.
Originally supported by sheriffs, deputy Lords Lieutenant were also appointed.

Regional Councils

The Council of the North continued operating.
From 1572, it was led by the Earl of Huntingdon, a committed Protestant. He took over from the Earl of Sussex.
Huntingdon took over after the Northern Rebellion and Ridolfi plot. He made sure increasingly harsh measures suppressing Catholics were implemented.
The Council of the Marches also continued operating during Elizabeth’s reign.

1Consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty 1485-1547

1.1Henry VII 1485-1509

1.1.1Henry VII's Consolidation of Power

1.1.2Henry VII & Succession

1.1.3Henry VII's Councils & Parliament

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 1

1.1.5Henry VII & Justice, Finance & Policies

1.1.6Henry VII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.1.7Henry VII & Society

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 2

1.1.9Henry VII & Regional Issues

1.1.10Henry VII & Economic Development

1.1.11Henry VII & Cultural Development

1.1.12End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 3

1.2Henry VIII 1509-1547

1.2.1Henry VIII's Consolidation of Power

1.2.2Henry VIII & His Government

1.2.3Henry VIII & His Government 2

1.2.4End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 1

1.2.5Henry VIII & Succession

1.2.6Henry VIII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.2.7Henry VIII & Society

1.2.8End of Topic Test -Henry VIII Part 2

1.2.9Henry VIII & Society 2

1.2.10Henry VIII & Economic Development

1.2.11Henry VIII & Religion

1.2.12End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 3

2England: Turmoil & Triumph 1547-1603

2.1Instability & Consolidation 1547-1563

2.1.1Edward VI, Somerset & Northumberland

2.1.2Edward VI & Authority

2.1.3Edward VI & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.4End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 1

2.1.5Edward VI & Rebellions

2.1.6Social Impact of Religious & Economic Changes

2.1.7Edward VI & Cultural Developments

2.1.8End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 2

2.1.9Mary I & Her Rule

2.1.10Mary I & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.11The Social Impact of Religious & Economic Change

2.1.12End of Topic Test - Mary Part 1

2.1.13Elizabeth I & Her Rule

2.1.14Elizabeth I & Relations With Foreign Powers

2.1.15Impact of Economic, Social & Religious Change

2.1.16End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 1

2.2The Triumph of Elizabeth 1563-1603

2.2.1Elizabeth I & Court

2.2.2Elizabeth & Government

2.2.3Elizabeth I & Succession

2.2.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 2

2.2.5Mary Queen of Scots

2.2.6Relations with Spain

2.2.7End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 3

2.2.8Elizabeth I & Society

2.2.9Elizabeth I & Rebellion

2.2.10Elizabeth & Economic Development

2.2.11End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 4

2.2.12Elizabeth I & Religious Developments

2.2.13The English Renaissance

2.2.14Elizabeth's Last Years

2.2.15End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 5

Jump to other topics