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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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

• 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 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.

• 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.