Assess the validity of this view Faction Throughout her reign, Elizabeth 1 controlled her ministers with masterly political skill Assess the validity of this view

A definition of faction

Key points from article Explanation/definition of faction varies:- A group of people who seek objectives that are primarily personal Must include a struggle for economic rewards A political group whose members are bound to a leader by personal informal ties and vie for power with other groups

Traditional - Neale Leicester held sway – puritan faction, - vast amount of patronage, Cecil and Leicester –competition at court ceaseless. Did not harm Elizabeth until 1590s “court factions were essential to the well being of the government system

Revisionist -Haigh faction as feuding Lesser men trying to gain power around Burghley and Leicester Elizabeth unable to control Threatened control in rivalry between Norfolk and Leicester in 1565-6 Threat to stability but Elizabeth able to assert her authority

Post Revisionist - Adams Elizabeth able to control faction Leading figures worked closely together but tensions – squabbles over policy Court settled and peaceful

Post revisionist – Guy and Alford Council relatively unified Elizabeth as a woman Cecil manipulates Elizabeth – religious settlement his

Post revisionist - Doran Elizabeth more assertive Rarely overruled by Council; Used variety of techniques

But – The Last Decade All agree court became a battleground for factional struggle Essex and Robert Cecil