Elizabethan Society Structure

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Questions and Answers

What was the role of William Cecil, Lord Burghley, in Elizabeth's government?

He was the Queen's most trusted adviser and led the Privy Council.

In Elizabethan society, what was the concept that represented how people ordered the world?

The Great Chain of Being

What did Elizabeth use to give power to people who were loyal to her?

Patronage

What was the average annual income of the nobility in Elizabethan England?

£6000 per year (worth around £1 million today) Signup and view all the answers

What were the two houses of Parliament responsible for?

Passing laws and setting taxes Signup and view all the answers

What role did members of the Privy Council play in the Elizabethan government?

Main advisers to the Queen on important matters Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of Lord Lieutenants in Elizabeth's government?

To take responsibility for an area of the country, settle disputes, raise taxes, and raise an army if needed Signup and view all the answers

Who made up the poorest members of Elizabethan society?

Peasants Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary responsibility of Justices of the Peace?

To keep law and order Signup and view all the answers

What title might a member of the gentry hold?

Knight or esquire Signup and view all the answers

What were the main industries that the gentry and peasants depended on in early Elizabethan England?

The wool, cloth, and wheat trades Signup and view all the answers

Why did Elizabeth have to appoint the most powerful landowners to the Privy Council?

To avoid possible rebellions Signup and view all the answers

How many members were appointed to the Privy Council by the Queen?

19 Signup and view all the answers

How did Elizabeth's education and personality influence her reign?

She was well-educated, intelligent, self-confident, and deeply religious, which influenced her decision-making and leadership style Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of religion in everyday life in early Elizabethan England?

It was embedded into people's daily lives, with all Christians attending church on Sundays Signup and view all the answers

What was the main source of income for the nobility?

Rent from large amounts of land they owned Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The monarch (Queen) was at the top of the social hierarchy, with non-living things at the bottom
The structure of Elizabethan society was based on the 'Great Chain of Being', which represented the ordering of the world

Nobility

Held titles like Duke or Lord, usually passed from father to son
Owned large amounts of land, providing income through rent
Were the richest people in England, with an average annual income of £6000 (approximately £1 million today)
Could hold a role in government

Gentry

Landlords of the countryside, renting out land and involved in business
Annual income of up to £200 per year
Might hold titles like knight or esquire
Held positions of power, such as Justice of the Peace

Peasants

Poorest members of society
Made up of:
- Yeomanry, who owned land or worked as servants to the nobility
- Tenant farmers, who rented land and paid rent to their landlord
Life was challenging, often without enough food

Government

The Privy Council

At the centre of the Elizabethan Royal Court
Consisted of the Queen and 19 influential men appointed by her
Responsible for the day-to-day running of the country
Members acted as the Queen's main advisers on important matters
Members were chosen from the nobility, gentry, and Church

Other Key Government Roles

Secretary of State led the Privy Council
Lord Lieutenants: appointed by the Queen to take responsibility for an area of the country
- Settled disputes, raised taxes, and raised an army if asked to do so by the Queen
Justices of the Peace: selected from the local gentry and appointed to keep law and order
- Had to swear an oath to treat everyone equally
- Could send someone to prison

Life in Early Elizabethan England

Most people lived in towns or the countryside
A handful of cities, including London and Norwich, were growing
Economy was based on the wool, cloth, and wheat trades
Religion was embedded into people's daily lives
People of African descent were part of everyday life, working in a range of occupations across England

Elizabeth I

Well-educated and intelligent
Studied languages, history, literature, and philosophy
Self-confident and deeply religious

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Description

Learn about the rigid social hierarchy of Elizabethan England, based on the 'Great Chain of Being', dividing people into nobility, gentry, and peasants.