ABSTRACT
Much of the political discussion in the Council during the first decade of Elizabeth’s reign revolved around the question of the succession. She called Parliament frequently and, despite points of tension, maintained a generally good working relationship with her parliaments and obtained financial and other support from them. The continuing pressure of war on the royal finances made further demands inevitable, and in 1593 the Lords persuaded a reluctant Commons to increase their supply to several subsidies. A high level of unsatisfied demand led to corruption, as suitors offered incentives to courtiers and others to secure them some mark of the Queen’s favour. The demand for patronage was insatiable and as the Queen could not deal with it all herself she looked for advice to those around her. One of the key posts where patronage was concerned was the Mastership of the Wards.
