Government
During the Elizabethan era in England, the form of government was the English Parliament. Parliament mainly dealt with financial matters. The government at this time was very efficient and well organized while Elizabeth reigned.
The Monarch during the Elizabethan era was, obviously, Queen Elizabeth the first.
The social order in this society went from the monarch, to nobility, to gentry, to merchants, to yeomanry, to the laborers. Depending on what class you were in, different rules applied to you. For example; it would not be socially acceptable for a laborer to wear the same clothing that the noble would.
During the Elizabethan time, religion and government were two and two together. They were not something that was separated from one another. The monarch was seen as God’s representation for the public.
Parliament was separated into two houses; the upper house consisting of monarchs and bishops, and the lower house consisting of the common people.
Queen Elizabeth also had her own personal group of advisers called 'The Privy Council'. They gave her their insight on important matters and their advice, but they had to hand out the Queen's final word on the matter.
Local forms of government were also important. Each county had their own representations of authority such as sheriffs and Justices of Peace. The justice system during this time were made of three courts. The greatest courts were the Great Sessions Court and The Quarter Court. These two courts deal with most of the crimes in the country. There were other smaller courts that dealt with crimes of lesser importance.
Government during Queen Elizabeth's time was very efficient and well organized and constructed. This is why the time in which she ruled is also known as 'The Golden Age'.