Parliament Under Elizabeth I, 1558-88 (Edexcel A-Level History): Revision Notes
Parliament Under Elizabeth I, 1558-88
Introduction
Elizabeth I's relationship with Parliament was complex and evolved during her reign. While she worked cooperatively with Parliament on many issues, there were also significant tensions over parliamentary privileges, freedom of speech, and the extent to which MPs could discuss sensitive political matters. Understanding this relationship is crucial for grasping how Tudor government functioned and how parliamentary power gradually developed.
Parliamentary sessions under Elizabeth I
Elizabeth called Parliament relatively infrequently compared to her predecessors. Between 1558 and 1588, she held six parliamentary sessions:
- 1559 (establishing the religious settlement)
- 1563-67
- 1571 (only called in 1572, 1576, 1581)
- 1584-85
- 1586-87
For comparison:
- Henry VIII held nine sessions
- Edward VI held two sessions
- Mary I held five sessions
This pattern shows Elizabeth's preference for avoiding Parliament when possible, partly because she wanted to maintain control over sensitive political issues and partly because Parliament could be expensive and unpredictable.
Freedom of speech in Parliament
The traditional position
Before Elizabeth's reign, Members of Parliament (MPs) generally enjoyed freedom of speech within the House of Commons. This privilege was important because it meant MPs could debate issues without fear of arrest or imprisonment for what they said in Parliament. However, this freedom came with an important limitation: Parliament traditionally could not choose its own subjects for debate. Instead, MPs usually had to wait for the Crown to introduce topics.
This arrangement generally promoted harmony between the Crown and Parliament, though there were occasional conflicts.
Historical Example: Henry VIII's Intimidation
During Henry VIII's reign, supporters of Catherine of Aragon tried to obstruct the parliamentary process leading to the break with Rome. In 1532, opposition to the Annates bill was so strong that Henry VIII himself came to Parliament to intimidate the Commons into supporting the legislation.
Elizabeth's restrictions on freedom of speech
Elizabeth took a more restrictive view of parliamentary freedom of speech than her predecessors. She drew a clear distinction between two types of issues:
Elizabeth's Two-Category System:
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Matters of the "commonweal" - These concerned the common good of the country, such as poverty, trade, and local administration. Elizabeth accepted that Parliament could freely discuss these issues.
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Matters of state - These included her marriage, the succession, and religious policy. Elizabeth argued that Parliament had no right to discuss these topics without her permission, as they touched on the royal prerogative.
This distinction created significant tension between Elizabeth and her parliaments, as MPs increasingly felt they had the right to discuss issues affecting the nation's future, particularly the succession.
Context: Parliament under Edward and Mary
Edward VI's parliaments (1547-53)
Under Edward VI, Parliament was used to continue and accelerate the Protestant Reformation. The young king's advisers used parliamentary legislation to introduce more radical Protestant reforms.
Mary I's parliaments (1553-58)
Mary's five parliamentary sessions reversed the religious changes of Edward and Henry VIII, returning England to Catholic Rome. Historian Sir John Neale once argued that Mary's parliaments saw the growth of organized Protestant opposition led by independent MPs in the Commons. However, this interpretation has been challenged by more recent historians.
Two controversial bills in 1555
Mary's parliaments proved difficult to manage, particularly in 1555 when two bills caused serious opposition:
1. The First Fruits and Tenths bill - This proposed returning to the Church payments that Henry VIII had seized. The bill faced such strong opposition that the queen's supporters kept the House sitting until 3pm (unusually late) to get it passed, by which time many opponents had left for lunch.
2. The Exiles bill - This proposed seizing the lands and property of Englishmen who had gone into exile and refused to return. Sir Anthony Kingston, MP for Gloucestershire, locked the doors of the House and forced the Speaker to put the bill to a vote before its supporters could arrive. The bill was defeated.
Revisionist interpretation
Historian Jennifer Loach has shown that these incidents were not primarily about Protestant opposition. Instead, they reflected concerns about property rights. The land-owning elites represented in Parliament worried that:
- If the Crown gave up income from First Fruits and Tenths, taxation might increase
- The Exiles bill could threaten the property rights of anyone who travelled abroad, not just Protestant exiles
This revisionist interpretation is important because it challenges the idea of organized religious opposition in Parliament, which has implications for understanding Elizabeth's reign.
The growing confidence of Parliament under Elizabeth I
The 1559 Parliament and the religious settlement
Like Mary and Edward, Elizabeth had to use Parliament to reverse her predecessor's religious changes and restore the Royal Supremacy (the monarch's position as head of the English Church). In 1559, she faced difficulties achieving this, mainly because of religiously conservative peers and bishops in the House of Lords. This opposition may have forced Elizabeth to accept more compromise in the religious settlement than she originally intended.
However, the main problems Elizabeth encountered from her parliaments came from an increasingly confident House of Commons, not from organized religious opposition.
The Puritan choir: myth and reality
Neale's argument
Historian Sir John Neale argued for the existence of a "Puritan choir" in Elizabeth's Parliament. According to Neale, this group consisted of religiously radical Protestants who had returned from exile under Mary and were determined to use Parliament to create a more extreme Protestant religious settlement than Elizabeth wanted.
The revisionist challenge
Modern historians have thoroughly challenged Neale's interpretation:
Key Evidence Against the "Puritan Choir" Theory:
Norman Jones demonstrated that there were at most 25 Puritan MPs, and only four of these had returned to England in time for the 1559 Parliament. These numbers are far too small to constitute an organized opposition movement.
Michael Graves researched the individuals Neale identified as leaders of the "choir" and found that:
- Most were not religious radicals at all
- They were not as organized as Neale claimed
- Many were actually working with the government rather than against it
The example of Thomas Norton
Case Study: Thomas Norton
Thomas Norton, whom Neale identified as the supposed leader of the Puritan choir, was actually a moderate Puritan who had close links to William Cecil (Elizabeth's principal secretary) and other Protestants on the Privy Council, such as Francis Walsingham. Research has shown that Norton was actually acting as a parliamentary manager for Cecil, not as an opposition leader.
Norton himself stated: "All that I have done I did by commandment of the House, and specially of the queen's Council there, and my chiefest care was in all things to be directed by the Council."
This evidence fundamentally undermines Neale's theory and shows that what appeared to be opposition was often actually the Council managing parliamentary business.
Key developments in Parliament under Elizabeth
Growth in size of the House of Commons
The House of Commons grew significantly during the Tudor period:
- 1512: 302 MPs
- 1559: 402 MPs
- 1586: 462 MPs
This substantial growth in numbers helps explain why the Privy Council felt the need to manage parliamentary business more actively. A larger House was harder to control informally and required more sophisticated management techniques.
Increased parliamentary assertiveness
Even without organized Puritan opposition, Parliament's role did change under Elizabeth. MPs became more willing to raise sensitive issues, particularly when encouraged by members of the Privy Council.
The succession and marriage debates
In 1563 and 1566, encouraged by the Council, the Commons dared to raise the issues of Elizabeth's marriage and the succession with the queen. This would have been unimaginable during Henry VIII's reign and represented a significant shift in parliamentary confidence.
These debates led to conflict over freedom of speech. Elizabeth argued that these were "matters of state" beyond Parliament's rightful concern, while MPs believed they had a duty to discuss issues affecting the nation's future security.
The 1566 standoff
Historical Example: The 1566 Compromise
In 1566, tensions came to a head when the Council allowed Parliament time to debate marriage and succession. In return, Parliament agreed to discuss granting taxation, which it had threatened to withhold. This episode shows:
- The growing bargaining power of Parliament
- The Council's use of Parliament to pressure the indecisive Elizabeth
- Elizabeth's willingness to compromise when necessary
Attempts at radical religious reform
A minority of religious radicals, such as Anthony Cope, did attempt to introduce more radical Puritanism through Parliament. However, these efforts were quickly suppressed. Cope and his allies were promptly imprisoned in the Tower of London by the Speaker, demonstrating that Elizabeth would not tolerate unauthorized religious initiatives.
Elizabeth's restrictions on parliamentary freedom of speech
Elizabeth attempted to restrict Parliament's claims to freedom of speech in 1566 and 1776. However, these restrictions were as much about protecting her royal prerogative as about reducing Parliament's powers. Elizabeth was particularly sensitive about her personal prerogatives and would not allow Parliament to encroach on areas she considered her exclusive domain.
The overall relationship between Elizabeth and Parliament
Despite areas of dispute, it is crucial to emphasize that Elizabeth and Parliament were generally on the same side. The relationship was fundamentally cooperative, even when there appeared to be tensions.
The Council's role
Where parliamentary pressure was apparently brought to bear on Elizabeth, this often resulted from the Privy Council using Parliament to force the indecisive queen into making decisions. Key examples include:
- Discussions about succession and marriage in 1563 and 1566
- Debates over the fate of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1572 and 1586-87
In these cases, Privy Councillors encouraged parliamentary pressure because they were frustrated with Elizabeth's indecision on important matters of state.
Growing tensions in the 1590s
The relationship between monarch and Parliament did become more strained in the 1590s, as a result of the political tensions of the last decade of Elizabeth's reign. However, this falls outside the period 1558-88 and reflects different circumstances, including war costs, economic difficulties, and the aging queen's increasing stubbornness.
Key events and dates
- 1559: Religious Settlement Parliament; Elizabeth faced opposition from conservative Lords
- 1563: First Commons debate on marriage and succession (encouraged by Council)
- 1566: Standoff over marriage, succession, and taxation; Elizabeth restricted freedom of speech
- 1571-81: Parliament met only three times (1572, 1576, 1581)
- 1572: Debates over Mary, Queen of Scots
- 1576: Elizabeth again restricted parliamentary freedom of speech
- 1584-85: Parliamentary session
- 1586-87: Further debates over Mary, Queen of Scots; pressure for her execution
Historiographical debates
Understanding the historiography (the history of historical interpretation) is important for A-Level study:
Comparing Historical Interpretations:
The Neale interpretation (traditional view)
- Parliament was developing as an opposition force
- Organized Puritan MPs formed a "choir" pushing for radical reform
- Conflict between Crown and Commons was primarily religious
The revisionist interpretation (modern view)
- Parliament was not an organized opposition
- The "Puritan choir" did not exist as Neale described it
- Apparent conflicts often resulted from the Council managing Parliament
- Property rights and practical concerns motivated MPs as much as religion
- Crown and Parliament were fundamentally cooperative
Key revisionist historians:
- Norman Jones (challenged the numbers of Puritan MPs)
- Michael Graves (researched individual MPs)
- Jennifer Loach (reinterpreted Mary's parliaments)
Exam focus
Key arguments to develop
When answering questions about Parliament under Elizabeth I:
Approaching Exam Questions:
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Balance continuity and change: Parliament's fundamental role did not change dramatically, but its confidence and willingness to raise sensitive issues did increase.
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Consider the Council's role: What appeared to be parliamentary opposition was often the Council using Parliament to pressure Elizabeth.
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Evaluate the "Puritan choir" theory: Modern historians have convincingly challenged Neale's interpretation. Use this historiographical debate to show analytical skills.
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Assess the significance of growth: The increase in MP numbers and the frequency of parliamentary sessions affected how Parliament operated.
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Context is crucial: Compare Elizabeth's relationship with Parliament to that of her predecessors and successors to assess change over time.
Common pitfalls to avoid
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Do not overstate the extent of conflict between Elizabeth and Parliament
- Do not accept Neale's "Puritan choir" theory without acknowledging it has been challenged
- Do not ignore the role of the Privy Council in parliamentary management
- Do not forget that Parliament only met occasionally - it was not a permanent institution
- Do not confuse Elizabeth's restriction of freedom of speech with an attempt to destroy Parliament's power
Linking to wider themes
Connect Parliament under Elizabeth I to:
- Religious settlement: Parliament was essential for establishing and defending the Church of England
- Succession crisis: Parliamentary concern about Elizabeth's marriage and the succession
- Mary, Queen of Scots: Parliament pushed for her execution
- Government and authority: The balance of power between Crown and Parliament
- Change and continuity: How much did parliamentary power really change during this period?
Key Points to Remember:
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Elizabeth held only six parliamentary sessions between 1558 and 1588, showing she preferred to avoid calling Parliament when possible.
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The "Puritan choir" theory proposed by Sir John Neale has been convincingly challenged by modern historians like Norman Jones and Michael Graves, who showed there was no organized Puritan opposition in Parliament.
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Elizabeth distinguished between "matters of the commonweal" (which Parliament could discuss) and "matters of state" like marriage, succession, and religious policy (which she believed were beyond Parliament's proper concern).
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The House of Commons grew from 302 MPs in 1512 to 462 by 1586, making parliamentary management more complex and necessary.
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Despite some tensions over freedom of speech and sensitive political issues, Elizabeth and Parliament were fundamentally on the same side, and apparent conflicts often resulted from the Privy Council using Parliament to pressure the indecisive queen into making decisions.