Royal Court

Royal court - Not a place but a group of people, they went where the Queen went. They were 500 people made up of nobels, advisors, offical and servants. The court was also a social hub. It provided entertainment. The court enjoyed lavish banquets and eloborate musicals. The court was subtle propaganda for the Queen as it was an example of her power. On Feast Days, the Queen would march to her dining room carrying the sword and sceptre - the Queen loved performance.

Progresses - In the summer months the Queen would tour around her country to be seen by her people, esecially the South East, Midlands and East Anglia. She took 400 wagons filled with her clothes, linen, documents, furnishings and her own bed. The nobles she went to stay with were flattered to have the queen come to stay, but it also suited the queen as she could live in luxury, enjoy good food, entertainment and accomodation without having to pay for it.

Patroange - The queen appointed male courtiers to polictical roles and male politicians to court. Elizabeth would choose her favourites to have positions of power in return for loyalty to her. It was corrupt, but it worked.

Privy Council - Elizabeth surrounded herself with trusted advisors, a group called the Privy Council. Privy Councillors could be dismissed by Elizabeth if they displeased her. The Privy Council were a group of powerful nobelmen appointed by Elizabeth. They advised Elizabeth nut did not control her. Elizabeth chose a small group of 19 men to minimise conflict between them. The council met everyday and was the most powerful part of the machinery of the government Elizabeth I did not always attend. The Privy Council advisors Elizabeth but she did not have to take heir advice. Frequently she would disagree with them, this showed her political independence. They advised on domestic and foreign issuses such as how to handle challenges and threats, when to go to war, relations with foreign ambassadors, and supervising the enforcement of the Religious Settelment.

William Cecil - Key advisor.

Robert Dudley - Responible for the Queen's safety.

Francis Walsingham - Spy master.

Christopher Hattot - Dancer.