(Part Two: Life In Elizabethan Times) A 'Golden Age'

Question 1

Give examples of and explain Elizabethan accomplishments

Answer 1

1. Art
   • Portraits - including detailed miniature ones - became very popular and often contained symbolism.
   • Decorative silverware and textiles became important signs of wealth and culture in the homes of the rich.
2. Peace, power and pride
   • Before the Tudors, there was conflict over the throne. The reigns of Henry VIll, Edward VI and Mary I brought political stability but religious turmoil. Elizabeth brought stability and security to the country.
   • England’s growing wealth and military success made many of Elizabeth’s subjects very proud.
3. Science and technology
   • Significant breakthroughs in navigation, astronomy and a growing understanding of magnetism.
   • Improved printing presses allowed new ideas to spread quickly.
4. Exploration
   • Europeans discovered new lands and new peoples.
   • England became a major power in the world.
5. Education
   • Seen as increasingly important.
   • Wealthy boys and some girls received an education, but the poor did not.
6. Theatre
   • Theatre became popular with all levels
   of society.
   • The first permanent theatres were built.
7. Buildings
   • Many great stately homes, such as Hardwick Hall, were built during this period.
   • For the first time, houses were not built with defence in mind
8. Literature
   • Many great plays were written during Elizabeth’s reign and are still performed
   today.
   • Poetry was very popular.
   Many nobles wrote poetry and some, such as Shakespeare, wrote sonnets.

Question 2

Was it really a ‘golden age’ explain.

Answer 2

Although there were significant accomplishments during Elizabeth’s reign, some have argued that the idea that it was a ‘golden age’ is a myth. They argue that:

• Blood sports such as dog fighting and bear baiting remained popular.
• Torture and brutal execution were still used by the government.
• A small minority lived in luxury while the majority remained poor.
• Life expectancy was low and medical treatment was ineffective.
• Despite scientific breakthroughs in some areas, other practices were questionable - alchemy (turning cheap metal into gold] and astrology (using the planets to predict the future) were very popular.

The idea of a ‘golden age’ was encouraged by Elizabeth and her government. Plays, festivals and pamphlets (small booklets) promoted the idea. The term Gloriana was used to describe the spreading of this message. For Elizabeth, this was a useful way of securing her popularity and her throne.

Question 3

Explain the rise of the gentry

Answer 3

The Gentry were:
• often wealthy landowners
• held important positions e.g. JP
• might be richer but still below nobles in society

Before Elizabeth’s reign, almost all wealth was held by the nobility. The stability that the Elizabethan period brought began to change this. People could make money from trade. The gentry grew as a result and began to fill powerful positions by becoming members of Parliament and Justices of the Peace.

Question 4

Explain the changing homes (of the gentry)

Answer 4

One way in which the gentry and the nobility could show off their wealth and privilege was by building lavish country homes:
• Purpose: no longer defence, but to display refined taste.
• Usually symmetrical with open courtyards, unlike the closed, secure ones that went before.
• Lots of expensive glass windows showed owner’s wealth.
• Medieval great hall replaced by a great chamber.
• Privacy: number of rooms increased, separating servants from owners.

Question 5

What was Hardwick Hall?

Answer 5

Bess of Hardwick, also known as Elizabeth Shrewsbury, built Hardwick Hall between 1590 and 1597. It was one of the grandest houses in Elizabethan England and a way to demonstrate her wealth and position in society.

Question 6

Who were the nobility?

Answer 6

The Nobility were:
• most powerful and wealthy
• titles passed from father to son
• held most senior positions e.g. privy councillor

Question 7

Who were the peasantry?

Answer 7

The Peasantry were:
• poorest members of society
• farm labourers
• often struggled for work

Question 8

Explain writers, actors and theatre troupes

Answer 8

• Playwrights like William Shakespeare produced new works every year. These included comedies, histories and tragedies.
Acting was an entirely male profession, with female roles played by boys.
•Popular actors like Richard Burbage became very famous and would often return to roles many times or have parts written specifically for them.
Works were performed by theatre troupes such as the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (of which both Shakespeare and Burbage were members). Companies were named after the people who provided their funding: the patron. Being a patron was a good way to impress the queen, who was very fond of the theatre.

Question 9

Explain the theatre

Answer 9

1. The Elizabethan period saw a major change in how theatre worked, with the building of the first permanent theatres.
2. Both rich and poor now attended performances, whereas previously theatre had been seen as something for ordinary people, usually performed in the back room of an inn.

Question 10

Why was theatre so popular?

Answer 10

• It was affordable.
• It was new and exciting.
• It was a social event.
• It was entertaining - plays were humorous, tragic or historical.
• It was contemporary and relevant to the time - many plays carried political messages.

Question 11

List and explain opposition to the theatre

Answer 11

1. Puritans saw theatregoing as a distraction from prayer.
2. Some saw it as sinful.
3. There were concerns that large gatherings might spread disease.
4. Theatres were dangerous places where there was drunkenness, crime and other immoral behaviour.

Question 12

Give examples of fashion for men and women

Answer 12

1. Women - dyed and false hair, heavy white make-up, gown/undergown, overgown
2. Men - ruff, jerkin, sword, trunk-hose, woolen/silk stockings