William Cecil, Lord Burghley

Elizabeth's most important adviser from the start of her reign until his death in 1598. He served as Secretary of State. He wanted a strong, Protestant England. He helped to build up the navy and urged Elizbeth to assert control over Ireland. He was also important in reforming the Poor Laws.

Sir Francis Walsingham

Elizabeth's spymaster who uncovered Catholic plots, including the Babington Plot that led to the execution of Mary Queen of Scots. He was a Puritan sympathiser who had been shocked by the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre in 1572 and was determined to neutralise the Catholic threat to Elizabeth. He supported the development of the navy and managed to undermine Spanish military preparations. He died in 1590.

Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester

A favourite of Elizabeth. It was rumoured that they were lovers and that she had wanted to marry him until the death of his wife in suspicious circumstances made this impossible. Leicester was also a Puritan sympathiser. He died in 1588.

GCSE Elizabethan England 1568-1603 AQA

Key Ministers