Local Goverment

• There was a local Government to control the different areas of the country
• Each county was controlled by a Lord Lieutenant:

  • appointed by the queen - a form of patronage
  • Usually the most powerful noble in the country
  • kept the Queen and Privy Council informed of what was going on
  • Organised a local army to deal with rebellions
• Justices of peace (JPs) were responsible for law and order:

  • About 40 JPs in each county
  • appointed by the Queen - form of patronage
  • Responsible for: Collecting taxes and fines, Enforcing the poor law, Judging court cases.
  • But they were unpaid - this often led to corruption and bribery