The centre of Elizabethan government was the Royal Court. This was a group of about 1,000 people, including her servants and the senior statesmen of the country. Elizabeth was advised by the Privy Council, a group of about 15-20 men. The Privy Council was responsible for the day-to-day running of the country. Elizabeth could choose who to appoint but had to be careful to show respect to the most powerful families. The Council was led by the Secretary of State.

The Royal Court was centred around Elizabeth and so it moved whenever she went on progress around the country. The Court displayed the Queen's power with banquets, plays and ceremonies. It was therefore an important centre of Renaissance culture. The Queen used patronage - giving people key jobs - to keep their support and there was great rivalry between different factions.

Laws were made by Parliament and local areas were governed by Lords Lieutenant who were assisted by Justices of the Peace.

GCSE Elizabethan England 1568-1603 AQA

The Elizabethan Court