What power did the fathers have in the Elizabethan times?

During Elizabethan times, fathers held significant authority within the family structure, exercising control over their children's lives, including decisions about marriage, education, and inheritance. They were seen as the head of the household and had the legal right to manage family property and finances. This patriarchal power was reinforced by societal norms and laws, emphasizing the father's role as the primary provider and protector of the family. Ultimately, the father's authority was central to the social and familial hierarchy of the time.