Factions At Court - GCSE History Definition

'Factions at Court' were groups of nobles or advisers in the royal court who worked together to gain power and influence the king or queen. This was common during the Tudor and Stuart periods. These groups often had different political, religious, or personal goals, and they competed to win the monarch’s favour. Sometimes they tried to get each other removed from power. Factions could affect big decisions, like who was trusted, what laws were passed, or how the country was run. Learning about factions helps GCSE History students understand how power at court worked and how personal rivalries could shape the country’s history.