Elizabethan Era 1558-1603

Saw a rise in the concept of nationalism

England made significant advances in terms of navigation and exploration
e.g the circumnavigation of the world by Sir Francis Drake between 1577
and 1580
England established as a strong naval power after its defeat of the Spanish
Armada in 1888
By the turn of the century England was at the forefront of international
trade and the race for colonisation
Considered to be the golden age of English literature (Shakespeare)
All English artists were expected to fulfil their patriotic duty by glorifying
the queen
Most artists relied upon the patronage of the wealthy, who would sponsor
them and in return were frequently flattered in the art produced.
It was very dangerous to write, paint, or even sing directly about the
issues of the day. Artists and writers often found indirect ways to represent
contemporary problems. Most used the ancient art of allegory, a story or
painting that represents abstract ideas or principles as characters, figures,
or events.

Religion:
The two major religions in Elizabethan England were the Catholic and Protestant
religions. The convictions and beliefs in these different religions were so strong
that they led to the executions of many adherents to both of these Elizabethan
religions. The Protestant religion was supported by Queen Elizabeth and was the
official religion during her rule, however Elizabeth firmly believed that people
should be allowed to practice the Catholic religion without fear of recrimination
so long as it presented no threat to peace in the realm and her rule over
England.

Womens Role in Elizabethan times:

Rights (or lack thereof):

Elizabethan women could not be heirs to their father's titles (except

female royals)

Elizabethan women did not have the vote and were not allowed to enter
politics

Womens Education/Careers
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Elizabethan women were tutored at home - there were no schools for girls
Elizabethan women were not allowed to enter University
Elizabethan women could not become Doctors or Lawyers
There were no Elizabethan women in the Army or Navy

Elizabethan women were not allowed to act in the theatres (female

characters were instead acted by men), but women at court were allowed
to perform in the Masques.

Lower Class Elizabethan Women

Elizabethan Women from the lower classes were also expected to obey the
male members of their families without question. Lower class Elizabethan
women would not have attended school or received any formal type of
education. Elizabethan women would have had to learn how to govern a
household and become skilled in all housewifely duties.

Their education would have been purely of the domestic nature in

preparation for the only real career option for a girl - marriage. Single
Elizabethan women were sometimes looked upon with suspicion. It was
often the single women who were thought to be witches by their
neighbours. All Elizabethan women would be expected to marry, and
would be dependant on her male relatives throughout her life.

The Education of Upper Class Elizabethan Women

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The Elizabethan period brought the Renaissance, new thinking to England.

Elizabethan women from wealthy and noble families were sometimes
allowed the privilege of an Education.
The girls of Noble families were invariably taught by tutors at home and
Elizabethan women were taught from the age of five, or even younger.

Various languages were taught including Latin, Italian, Greek and French.

Music and dancing skills were essential for Elizabethan women.

Elizabethan women were not allowed to go to university but might be sent

away to complete their education. As young as seven years old girls would
be sent away from their home to live with another noble family.
Elizabethan women would be taught a range of subjects and skills.
Manners and etiquette were of prime importance, including how to
curtsey.
Music, dancing , riding and archery were also taught.
These young girls were expected to act as servants to the Ladies of the
castle - their duties would be to look after clothes and the assist ladies
with dressing and coiffure.
Some housewifely duties such as preserving fruits and household
management would be also be learnt.
High ranking young women would take on the role of ladies-in-waiting to
the Queen.

Elizabethan Women and Marriage

Elizabethan women were expected to bring a dowry to the marriage.

A dowry was an amount of money, goods, and property that the bride
would bring to the marriage. It was also referred to as her marriage
portion.

After marriage Elizabethan women were expected to run the households

and provide children.

Large families were the norm as the mortality rate for children and babies
was so high.

Many Elizabethan woman made arrangement for the care of their children
in case they themselves died during childbirth.

Elizabeth emphasized the maternal theme, saying often that she was married
to her kingdom and subjects. She explained "I keep the good will of all my
husbands my good people for if they did not rest assured of some
special love towards them, they would not readily yield me such good
obedience," and promised in 1563 they would never have a more natural
mother than she.
Literary Themes:
Many themes are found throughout Elizabethan literature. Everything from
religion to politics to interpersonal interactions inspired and fuelled authors'
works during this golden age of literature. The success of the British Empire at
this time also helped to infuse the art of the era with a sense of vitality. This
spirit can also be seen in the incorporation of the theme of romance throughout
much of Elizabethan literature. Romantic love is a topic that is dealt with in a
number of plays, poems, and prose works. Another common factor in literary
works and plays were the effects of power and ambition.

Education in the Elizabethan Age (boys)

Boys were educated to be literate members of society. Teaching techniques
relied heavily on memorization and recitation. The language of literacy
throughout Europe was Latin, and students were expected to be proficient in it.
Boys started grammar school at the age of six or seven. Their typical school day
ran from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Classroom discipline was strict, and often
involved corporeal punishment. In the lower grades, boys studied Latin grammar
and vocabulary. In the upper grades, they read the poetry and prose of writers
such as Ovid, Martial, and Catullus. Most boys began an apprenticeship in a trade
following grammar school. Sons of the nobility attended the university or the
Inns of Court (professional associations for barristers).
Formal schooling was not encouraged for girls unless they were the children of
nobility. For those who were educated, schooling focused primarily on chastity
and the skills of housewifery. Young girls from wealthy families were often placed
in the households of acquaintances where they would learn to read, write, keep
accounts, and manage a household and estate. They were also trained in leisure
skills such as music and dancing.

While no one would argue that Elizabethan England presented the greatest of
opportunities for universal education, literacy significantly increased throughout
the sixteenth century. By 1600, at least one-third of the male population could
read, and Puritans pushed for significant increases in funding for grammar
schools.