Was Elizabethan England really a monarchical republic?1. Issue 257 (7th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McGovern, Jonathan
• Is Part Of: Historical research. Volume 92:Issue 257(2019)
• Page Start: 515
• Page End: 528
• Publication Date: 2019-06-07
• Subjects: History -- Periodicals; History -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 907.2
• DOI: 10.1111/1468-2281.12275
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-3471

Abstract

Abstract: For over thirty years, historians have argued that Elizabethan England was a 'monarchical republic'. While the phrase was popularized by Patrick Collinson, it seems to have been invented by John Adams. This article assesses whether there can be any justification for the description. It begins with an analysis of the etymology of the words 'commonwealth' and 'republic' and proceeds to demonstrate that Elizabeth I exercised more direct control over the privy council than her predecessors had. It concludes by suggesting some of the dangers of theory‐driven history.