Elizabeth's Court

Elizabeth's Character

Queen Elizabeth was a strong-minded leader. She was an effective Queen who balanced England at a time when it was difficult.

Bold

Elizabeth was bold.
She decided not to marry the Duke of Anjou out of fear that having someone married to the Queen would destroy the country.
She invested in Sir Walter Raleigh's exploration missions and despite only meriting a 10% share of the spoils would extract more than half.
During the Spanish Armada, the Queen was publicly visible and composed.

Pragmatic

Her acceptance of both Catholics and Protestants allowed England to live in peace. The extreme positions of Edward VI and Mary I had harmed English culture and society.
Her use of Drake and Raleigh as a casual navy to earn money from privateering and to defend England was pragmatic.

Cautious

Elizabeth was more cautious than her father, Henry VIII.
Mary Queen of Scots spent years in England, threatening her rule before she was finally executed.

Intelligent

Elizabeth was a well-educated Queen.
Her religious settlement shows great intelligence.
She enjoyed theatre and music (she had a personal choir of over 50 singers).
She decided not to marry the Duke of Anjou and risk her life and peace in England.
She used patronage, patents, monopolies, and titles to make sure that the nobles of England never threatened her position as Queen.

Elizabeth I's Court and Key Ministers

There was a clear power structure within the court. The Royal Court was attended by more than 1000 people. Elizabeth could not just do what she wanted and had to work with parliament and the nobility.

Patronage - monopolies & leases

A few trusted individuals, most of whom were privy councillors (19 people who were the Queen’s most trusted advisors), were the most powerful people at court. The Privy Council had shrunk to 11 people by 1600.
Elizabeth effectively bought the loyalty of her court using patronage.
Elizabeth granted 'leases in reversion' to loyal nobles. This effectively was a grant of freedom and money from the Queen.
Elizabeth also granted nobles titles and monopolies over whole industries (like the salt industry and starch industry).
Giving these nobles money, land, power and influence, conditional on her support helped to ensure that her position of power was stable.

Titles and positions

Elizabeth could reward courtiers with titles, power, and positions of authority without it costing the treasury money.
- The economy was weak at the start of Elizabeth’s reign and the funds available to win the support of noblemen were small.
Instead, Elizabeth gave nobles social status and power, conditional on supporting her as the Queen.

The Court

Elizabeth had lots of servants and advisors in the court. The court included the Privy Council, but other parts of government were not part of the court.
For example, Justices of the Peace (people who made sure that the population complied with the law) were a bit like magistrates.
Parliament did not attend Queen Elizabeth's court.
The Privy Council was a group of 19 people who were the Queen’s most trusted advisors, led by the Secretary of State.

Key advisors

William Cecil and Francis Walsingham both served as Secretary of State during Elizabeth’s reign, and had enormous influence. They also held the title of Principal Secretary.
In her early years as queen, Elizabeth was close to Robert Dudley. Christopher Hatton was another of the Queen’s important advisors, whilst Nicholas Bacon served as Lord Chancellor from 1559-1579.

1Queen, Government & Religion

1.1Elizabeth I & her Court

1.1.1Elizabeth's Accession

1.1.2Elizabeth's Court

1.1.3The French Threat

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I & her Court

1.1.5Grade 9 - Elizabeth I & her Court

1.1.6Exam-Style Questions - French Threats

1.2Elizabeth's Opponents in Court & Parliament

1.2.1The Difficulties of Being a Female Ruler

1.2.2Mary Queen of Scots

1.2.3End of Topic Test - Elizabeth's Opponents

1.2.4Grade 9 - Elizabeth's Opponents

1.2.5Exam-Style Questions - Mary Queen of Scots

2Challenges to Elizabeth at Home & Abroad

2.1The Religious Settlement

2.1.1Henry VIII's Protestant Legacy

2.1.2The Religious Settlement

2.1.3Religious Threats to Elizabeth I

2.1.4End of Topic Test - The Religious Settlement

2.1.5Grade 9 - Challenges at Home & Abroad

2.1.6Exam-Style Questions - Religious Threats

2.2Rebellion & War

2.2.1Plots & Revolts at Home 1569-88

2.2.2War with Spain

2.2.3End of Topic Test - Challenges at Home and Abroad

2.2.4Grade 9 - Rebellion and War

2.2.5Exam-Style Questions - Northern Rebellion

3Elizabethan Society 1558-88

3.1Education & Leisure

3.1.1Leisure & Education under Elizabeth

3.1.2End of Topic Test - Education & Leisure

3.2The Poor & Living Standards

3.2.1Living Standards & the Gentry

3.2.2Paupers & Charity under Elizabeth

3.2.3End of Topic Test - Elizabethan Society

3.2.4Exam-Style Questions - Poverty

3.3Exploration & Discovery

3.3.1Navigation & Exploration under Elizabeth

3.3.2End of Topic Test - Exploration and Discovery

3.3.3Grade 9 - Elizabethan Society & Navigation

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