Life In Elizabethen England Flashcards
(40 cards)
The great chain of being
God’s
Angels
Human beings
Animals
Plants
In human section
Monarch
Nobility
Gentry
Peasants
It Prevented instability and enforced a social structure
Benefits of being part of the nobility
High income
Titles
Land
Protection from torture ( beheaded never hanged)
Gentry growth
Second most powerful group
Generally landlords in countryside
Growth was mainly due to increase in trade, giving the gentry more money
Could gain power and influence by becoming
Knights
Mps
Justices of peace
William Cecil and Francis Walsingham
Why was it called the golden age
Because it was a time if many advancements and ideas in:
Art
Exploration
Literature
Architecture
Theatre
Science
Elizabeth’s long reign allowed for stability
Military success like beating the Spanish Amanda
Increased wealth especially in the gentry
Elizabethen fasion
Fashion was a way of showing your wealth and status
In 1562 Elizabeth passed laws to control what people wore, a way to reinforce the great chain of being
For men:
Ruffs which became larger and larger
Beards
Doublet - jacket
Cape
For women:
Hair often False and died
White make up made of lead
Ruff which became larger and larger
Bodice
Architecture
No need for defensive features like gates anymore
Created for
Comfort
Fasion
Display wealth and intellect
Known as the “ great rebuilding”
It was possible due to the dissolution of the monastery allowing the wealthy to buy lots of land and an increase in wealth among higher classes
French and Italian Renaissance styles
Symmetry
Loggia
Oak wooden paneling
To show your wealth you would include features like
Lots of windows
Lots of chimneys means lots of rooms
Long gallery’s
Was there really a golden age
Bear baiting and dog fighting still popular
Life expectancy low
Poor conditions for majority of people
Astrology was used to cure the sick
Unenlightened
Elizabeth theatres
Became increasingly popular in Elizabeth’s reign
No theatres in 1555 as local authorities blocked them being built because travelling actors impacted law and order
Some wealthier Elizabethens known as patrons decided to support actors eg Robert dudley and Leicesters men
Elizabeth established the queen’s men in 1583
She didn’t attend the theatre instead the actors would perform in her Royal Court
London allowed the building of theatres from 1567
The globe was built in 1599
Aspects of theatre
Working class paid one penny to stand in pit and were called groundlings
Rich paid for the expensive seats
Some actors became famous
Women weren’t allowed to act
Usually no religious plays
How Elizabeth used the theatre
Power propaganda tool
Could be used to spread political messages
Companies needed a royal licence to operate and a government official had approved all plays, giving Elizabeth power over what the public could see
William Shakespeare
Wrote for the lord chamberlain’s men
Wrote
Histories
Tragedies
Comedies
His plays supported the monarchy and the great chain of being
His plays were performed at the globe theatre
Reasons for opposition
Sinful: place where u could indulge in alcohol and food
Immoral: prostitutes would be present in the crowd
Dangerous: crime was common
Unhygienic: large crowds meant diseases spread easily
Ungodly: seen by puritains as a distraction from praying
How did trade encourage exploration
England’s conflict with Spain led to merchants suffering
Merchants began to look for new places to trade with
They exploited the existing African slave trade today foundation’s of the slave triangle between England aftrica and America
How did wealth encourage exploration
Explorers reported back about treasures available in the Americas
Potential profits persuaded investors to fund voyages ro the Americas
Elizabeth sent privateers like Francis drake to steal from the Spanish American colonies
How did adventure encourage exploration
Elizabethens had few opportunities to travel
Accounts of explorer’s like sir Walter Raleigh inspired young men to voyage to America
Many wouldn’t make it due to disease mutiny or attacks
How did new routes encourage exploration
They wanted to find a North West passage so the explorers studied the coastline of America
How did trade with Asia encourage exploration
Explorers attempted to find direct trade routes to Asia
The east India company was created to establish this route
Why did elizabethens go to America
Wealth
Influence
Colonies
The Spanish and Portuguese had a lot of success there
Sir Walter Raleigh
Became a fav of Elizabeth’s after he suppressed a rebellion in Ireland
He was permitted by her to colonise any land not ruled by a Christian
He gave Elizabeth one fifth of all gold and silver He found
Attempted to colonise America but failed
John Hawkins
A successful merchant
Helped establish Royal navy
Believed to have introduced tobacco to England
Knighted
Significant role in establishment of slave trade
England’s involvement in the slave trade was small but his involvement encouraged other people to get involved, making it grow until England dominated it
Sir Francis drake
Favourite of Elizabeth’s
A successful privateer
Well known explorer
Successful military leady whose fireship tactic helped defeat the armada
Impact of exploration on England
Increased country’s wealth
Showed Britain’s powerful naval force
New teck for the navy
Contributed towards progression of English ships
Advancements in ship design
Larger ships to Carry more food and cargo
Low bow and stern to improve stability
Square and triangle sails fir speed and agility
Advancements in naval technology
Quadrants and astrolabes
Better maps
