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Elizabeth I governed England for forty-five years (1558–1603) — a remarkable achievement in a period when female rule was considered unnatural and when religious division threatened civil war across Europe. This lesson examines the structures of Elizabethan government, Elizabeth's complex relationship with Parliament, the role of faction at court, and the contribution of her key ministers.
The Privy Council was the executive core of Elizabethan government.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Size | Typically 19–20 members (smaller and more efficient than under earlier Tudors) |
| Meeting frequency | Met almost daily when the court was in session |
| Membership | A mix of nobles, churchmen, and professional administrators; all appointed by the queen |
| Functions | Advising the monarch, implementing policy, managing finance, overseeing local government, handling foreign correspondence, dealing with threats to security |
| Key principle | The Council advised; Elizabeth decided. The distinction was fundamental and Elizabeth enforced it rigorously |
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