2nd Parliament of Elizabeth I facts for kids

The 2nd Parliament of Queen Elizabeth I was an important meeting of lawmakers in England. Queen Elizabeth I of England called this Parliament together on November 10, 1562. It officially started on January 11, 1563.

The Queen had two main reasons for calling this group of people together. First, she wanted to finish sorting out religious matters in England. The Elizabethan Settlement, which was a set of religious rules from the previous Parliament, needed to be put into action. Second, she needed money to protect the country. This was especially true for the northern border with Scotland, which needed strong defenses.

Thomas Williams, who represented the area of Exeter, was chosen as the Speaker for the House of Commons. The Speaker is like the leader or chairperson of the House of Commons.

How the Parliament Worked

Making Laws and Decisions

During this Parliament, a special group was formed to handle money matters. This group was called a "subsidy committee." They worked on how to get funds for the country's needs.

Just like in the first Parliament, some members asked the Queen to consider getting married. They sent groups of people, called "deputations," to talk to her about it. However, the Queen did not agree to their requests.

Important New Laws

Even without the Queen agreeing to marry, the Parliament passed many important laws. These laws covered different parts of daily life in England. They included rules about how land was used and how to help people who were poor. There were also laws about setting fair wages for workers and how young people could learn a trade through apprenticeship. The Parliament also made sure the country's navy was kept strong.

By April 1563, which was the end of the first part of the Parliament's meeting, many laws had been passed. In total, 31 public laws (for everyone) and 19 private laws (for specific people or groups) became official.

Second Meeting of Parliament

The Parliament met again later, in September 1566. There was a delay because Speaker Williams had sadly passed away. The House of Commons had to choose a new Speaker. Richard Onslow was chosen, even though he was not eager for the job.

During this second meeting, there was more talk about who would become the next ruler after Queen Elizabeth. This was known as the Royal Succession. However, not much else was achieved. The main thing they did was decide on the "supply." This means they approved the funds that would be given to the Crown, which is another way of saying the Queen and her government.

The Parliament officially ended on January 2, 1567. By then, another 22 public laws and 12 private laws had been passed.

Key Laws Passed

The 2nd Parliament of Queen Elizabeth I passed several important laws that shaped life in England. Here are some of them:

• Poor Act 1562: This law aimed to help people who were struggling and poor.
• The Act touching Badgers of Corn and Drovers of Cattle, to be licensed: This law made sure that people who bought and sold grain or moved cattle needed a special license.
• Highways Act 1562: This act focused on keeping roads in good condition for travel.
• Witchcraft Act 1562: This law dealt with the crime of witchcraft.
• Statute of Artificers 1563: This was a very important law that set rules for workers, wages, and apprenticeships across the country.

See also

• List of parliaments of England
• List of Acts of the 1st Session of the 2nd Parliament of Queen Elizabeth I
• List of Acts of the 2nd Session of the 2nd Parliament of Queen Elizabeth I