The national government of England in the Elizabethan era consisted of three organs: the monarchy, the Privy Council and Parliament. There were also regional and county governments. Even though Elizabeth was not above the law, the Queen was still the most powerful person in England. Disobeying Elizabeth was against the law; requests ordered by the queen had to be obeyed. Elizabeth prevailed over major decisions on religion, when Parliament met and what they talked about, war, education, eating habits and clothing styles. The two institutions with which Elizabeth governed were her Privy Council and Parliament. Elizabeth's Privy Council consisted of twelve active members. These members, however, rarely showed up to a meeting together. William Cecil held the senior position in this group, with Robert Dudley and Sir Francis Walsingham below him. Elizabeth trusted Cecil as Secretary of State because he was wise, prudent, and a good administrator. Walsingham later became Secretary of State. Other important members of Elizabeth's Privy Council were Christopher Hatton and Francis Bacon. The Council decided political matters for the English government, but still remained entirely dependent on Elizabeth. The Privy Council's main concerns were religion, military matters, diplomacy, the Queen's security, the economy, and the welfare of the English people. The Council also issued proclamations from the Queen. In the Elizabethan era, Parliament consisted of two houses: the House of Lords (the Upper House) and the House of Commons (the Lower House). Only bishops and aristocrats could sit in the Upper House, and commoners elected deputies to the Lower House. Members of the L...... middle of paper ...... Theosophical Society, March 9, 2007. Thomas, Heather. “Power and government”. The Life and Times of Queen Elizabeth I. April 9, 2007. .---. "Monarch." The Life and Times of Queen Elizabeth I. April 9, 2007. .---. “Privy Council”. The Life and Times of Queen Elizabeth I. April 9, 2007. .---. "Parliament." Life and Times of Queen Elizabeth I. April 9, 2007. .Weir, Alison. The Life of Elizabeth I. New York: Ballantine Books, 1998.http://faculty.tnstate.edu/smcurtis/Elizabethan%20Government.htmHaigh, Christopher. Elizabeth I. London: Longman, 1988. Original letters, illustrative of English history, edited by Sir Henry Ellis – Series 1, Volume I