1. 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

2. A definition of faction

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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
Threat to stability but Elizabeth able to assert her authority

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

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

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

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