Issues that Elizabeth faced in 1588

Problem: Death of the Privy Council Members
Examples:

• Robert Dudley in 1588
• Richard Grenville in 1591
• Walshingham in 1590
• Hatton in 1591
• Burghley in 1598

What was it a problem:

• Elizabeth didn't like change and so rather than appointing the best possible successors, she just appointed many of the old privy councilors' sons. 
• Her old council had been very strong and her 'decline' started when they began to die.

How big a problem:

• Lead to the issues with Essex
• Lack of trust within the council 
• Weakened government. 

Examples: 

• Inflation was increasing more quickly than wages
• Vagrancy was increasing 
• Faliure of first poor law
• Poor harvests: 86-87 and 94-96
• Many plots to overthrow her, privy councilors talking to James, Oxford 'rebellion' 
• Irish Rebeliion 

Why was it a problem:

• Elizabeth had enjoyed great support from the people for many years, the fact that the support was declining, any drop in support would be noticed. 
• She needed money- Tax increase needed
• Irish rebeliion 

How big a problem:

• Damaged her image (which in turn lowered support)
• Needed their support as there were many opponents in Europe. 
• She died before it could become too much of a problem. 

Examples: 

• Began in 1595 as Earl of Tyrone goes into open rebellion 
• English army of 4000 destroyed at yellowford
• Essex sent with 16,000 men. Many died as he missed his chance to attack before winter. Made pact with Tyrone. Returned home to disgrace. 
• Rebellion is surpressed by mountjob in 1602. 

Why was it a problem: 

• Hugely expensive (£2M over the course of the reign)
• No real gains
• Spain could use it as a stepping stone

How big a problem:

• Drain on resources-> £2M is a huge amount of money. It could have been spent on thins in England to lower issues of social discontent. 
• Causes problems in the PC
• Leads to issues with Essex

Examples:

• He defied her in Ireland 
• Burst into her bedchamber
• drew his sword on her
• organised rebellion
• Became a popular figure- rival to the queen

Why was it a problem:

• Essex had huge popular support, could potentially rise up against the queen 
• Arrogant and cocky
• He showed huge disrespect for her authority when he defied her in Ireland
• Showed the the queen was not infallible, made a mistake when she appointed him

How big an issue: 

• Could spread disrespect through government if she didn't deal with it
• challenge to her authority 
• However she did deal with it very quickly