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Summary Elizabethan Government Structure
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Document describes and explains Elizabethan government structure
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1Government
- Government functioned on two levels:
• Central Government-Privy Council and the Exchequer (London)
• Justices of Peace
- The Court was not always based in London- when she introduced progresses, the whole court
moved out of the capital for 10 weeks each summer as a propaganda exercise
- Elizabeth inherited 14 principal residences in London and the south of England
- Royal household = 1,500 people
- Domestic staff were organised in departments with its own restrict hierarchy
- Privy Council:
• Sphere of Influence: chief administrative and executive body of the realm
• Main functions: advice the monarch on policy, ensure orderly gov. and security of state -
could use torture during its investigations and divert legal cases to other courts
• Frequency of meetings = max. 20 members met 3 times a week at the start of the reign and
daily by 1590s
• Secretary of State: Queen’s principal adviser- deal with any matter of state or
administrative issues- William Cecil held the post from 1558-1573. Sir Francis Walsingham
shared the post w/ William Davison from 1573 until Davison’s dismissal 1587 and then
continued it alone until 1590. Robert Cecil and father shared the post from 1591-1596
when Robert took over officially. All had continual contact with the Queen and controlled
written access to her
• Lord Chamberlain: ran the household, supervised appointments and controlled access to
the Privy Chamber
• Lord Treasurer: keep England solvent, administer ordinary revenues and kept gov.
expenditure within limits- post was held by Marquis of Winchester until 1572 when
Burghley took over
• Controller of the Household: household accountant
• Keeper of the Great Seal: legalising documents
• Lord High Admiral: commanded all naval personnel, adjudicated disputes w/ sea and
appointed officers and assigned duties
• Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: administering estates and revenues of the Duchy of
Lancaster. 1559 Sir Ambrose Cave administered the Oath of Supremacy, raising a militia
and adjudicating in cases of murder, burglary and other felonies
- Parliament:
• Sphere of Influence: not the most important element of government. Controlled by Queen
through her power to imprison members and use the royal veto and delaying bills. She could
summon or dismiss Parliament.
• Main functions: pass laws, raise taxes
• 13 sessions in 44 years
• Composition: 462 men sat in HC, 2 knights from each county and 2 burgesses from each
borough. Elected through nomination by the crown or prominent noblemen/gentlemen and
the peers of the realm sat in the House of Lords
- Law of Courts:
• Variable influence
• Preserve law and order in England
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