Justice In The Elizabethan Era

Justice is done in very different ways from country to country or from era to era. The Elizabethan era had a particular way of doing justice and advising their Queen. From 1558 to 1603, the inner circle also known as the Privy Council helped and advised the queen. The court members were handpicked by Elizabeth which naturally led to favorites among them. Other than justice, the culture was very different. More specifically, the etiquette in my lady’s chamber - practiced by Queen Elizabeth I - portraits a very different image from an ordinary bedroom in the 21st century.

In the 21st century, an ordinary bedroom consists of a simple bed, a dresser, some picture, a closet and it is only used for sleeping. But for an Elizabethan woman some odd things where required. The bedroom was called My lady’s chamber. It was a place of entertainment, where the woman would receive guests, play cards or chess and dine intimately with a few close friends. The bed itself was very extravagant. Decorated with curtains or hangings. The bedclothes were linen or holland sheets, on top where some woolen blankets with a decorative coverlet, and some pillows. Everything was made of English oak; the chairs, stools, tables and the chests. The tables were covered with Turkey carpets and each stool had a cushion, embroidered by the ladies of the

household. Clothes were left in a press - a wooden cupboard - and jewels, perfumed gloves, and love letters were left in small caskets of metal heavily decorated. For privacy, the woman would go to the wardrobe or closet where they would change and write letters. The Lady’s chamber was extravagant for the rich Elizabethans and complex for the 21st century.

The inner circle also known as the Privy Council was first made out of 50 members but after the queen coronation it slimmed down to 19 members.(Queen Elizabeth I’s) When the council was first made, meetings were scheduled three times a week but later they met up every day to help the queen solve problems. The council was in charge of the general administration of the country, supervising the enforcement of statutes and dealt with matters of national interest. They also oddly implicated themselves in issues that affected only one individual. The decision that was made where later proclaimed by the council on behalf of the queen. When the council met up, they did not always agree on matters. Yet, Elizabeth had to listen to every opinion on every matter with an open mind but a strong opinion. Sometimes the council had to agree on stranger matters like picking a husband for the Queen.
Every group has its leader. For the privy council, the leader went by the name of a Sir William Cecil. His precedent was Sir Francis Walsingham and succeeded by his son Sir Robert Cecil.
Cecil was the secretary of state, meaning he is the queen personal secretary.

His position in the council made him a very influential man. He is the most famous of secretaries due to his amazing administrative abilities. He is also known as the greatest statesmen in English history. His position and abilities made him the most trustworthy of men in the eyes of the queen. Eventually making him one of her most favorites in the council. He served Elizabeth as Secretary of State from 1558 to 1572, and as Lord Treasurer from 1572 until his death in 1598. Till this day some historians think that the successes of Elizabeth reign were due to

Cecil.

Naturally, when spending lots of time with a group of people one will develop some favoritism toward certain individual: for Robert Dudley, this was the case. Dudley was the younger son of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland. He was the queen's most important favorite during the early years of her reign. Elizabethan even fell in love with Robert and made him Earl of Leicester. She seriously considered marrying him after the death of his wife in 1560. Elizabeth’s love for him made him a very influential man in court. Sadly, in 1585 he was placed in command of the English army and sent to the Netherlands. In 1586 he accepted the title of governor of the Netherlands - without Elizabeth’s permission and much to her disliking.Unfortunately, he died right before the Spanish invasion where he was going to be appointed general of the armies.

The Elizabethan era is a complex time with a beautiful history. The etiquette in my lady’s chamber brings a different perspective to a woman's daily life and necessities. The inner circle was large at the beginning but smaller in the end; the less the people, the less the betrayal. The leader of this Privy council -William Cecil - led to its success making the Elizabethan time an important era in the books. Elizabeth’s commitment to the group developed a type of favoritism toward certain people; Robert Dudley.