1. Elizabeth Lesson 2: Elizabethan Politics
Make a copy of the ‘problems’ diagram on page 17:
Reorganise the reasons so they are grouped as: personal, economic, foreign relations, political, religious
Give each problem a rating out of 5 to show how big a problem it was.

2. Key elements of Elizabeth’s Government
Using the Revision Grid P3 and P produce a diagram to explain the role and importance of: The Royal Court, Progresses, Patronage and the Privy Council.
For each of the 4 element above you can use no more than 30 words but as many pictures, images and numbers as you like

3. Look at the diagram on P19
What does the diagram suggest about the structure of Elizabethan society?
How powerful does the diagram suggest Elizabeth was? Why?
What area of government was Elizabeth reliant on Nobles and Lords to run?
What does the fact that Parliament was only occasionally called suggest about its important?
What area of government was Elizabeth reliant on Gentry and Merchants to help her with?
Which area of government had direct connections to ordinary people?

4. Starkey on Elizabeth and her Council

5. Elizabeth’s Privy Council and key ministers
Elizabeth had a much smaller Privy Council than her sister Mary (19 member compared to 40).
Half who Elizabeth appointed were from Mary’s Council and half were brand new allowing her to bring in men who were loyal to her. She avoided appointing men who were strongly Catholic.
Many that she appointed in the early years of her reign would stay with her late into her reign (in fact she faced major problems late in her reign as many of her loyal and experienced Privy Councillors died).
The Council was dominated by two men William Cecil and Robert Dudley.

6. Privy Council
What made William Cecil such a good Privy Councillor for Elizabeth?
Why did Elizabeth use a policy of divide and rule?
Did it work?
Why might this be a dangerous policy?

7. Complete the Think Questions on P 20 and 21