Elizabethan Era

Elizabethan Religion and Beliefs One of the best statements of Elizabethan Protestantism is a chronicle of the persecutions carried out by Mary I in the 1550’s Elizabeth, a Protestant, became Queen after Mary, and declared herself governor of the Church of England Many of Elizabeth’s subjects seem to have been confused by the religious changes in England Because it was important for Elizabeth to have the support of her subjects, the Church of England tried to steer between Protestantism and Catholicism Many parts of England were very isolated, so the government relied on local gentry to keep order Every church in England had a copy of Elizabeth’s religious policies, which was an effective way of defending them Elizabethans believed Elizabeth was God’s representative on Earth and they focused on preaching, reading the Bible in English, and unadorned churches

Education Many people drew an X or symbol instead of signing their names 2/10 men knew how to sign their name Laborers didn’t really receive education. Merchants were better educated All grammar schools taught Latin and sometimes Greek Boys went to school and girls did not Gentlemen had opportunities to attend the two available universities: Oxford and Cambridge

Elizabethan Daily Life Poor people weren’t able to wear or imitate what wealthy people wore Families should be models for the rest of society Families needed to raise their children properly There was a law that, when a person dies, their possessions were listed in an inventory They were trying to make medieval buildings more comfortable In the 1550s, people were only expected to live to 42 years of age Medication was limited and only wealthy people could afford it Many poor people died because of bad harvests and disease People who got medication had to go through painful treatments and ineffective or harmful drugs

Work, Agriculture, and Industry Farmers and harvesters kept grain and livestock Industry was fairly limited Many leather goods few metal and coal mines in England England had been at war with France in the late 1550’s Public poverty was made worse by illness and bad weather in Elizabeth’s reign It was difficult to trade with Roman Catholic countries because they thought Elizabeth had no right to be on the throne England traded with Russia, the Americas, Morocco, and Persia They would trade with a country and fight their enemies on the seas

Crime and Punishment Masterless men and vagrants were the main criminals Punishments were being whipped, public displays, or hanged Whipped: being hit with a whip Public display: an act of hate where you are put in a pillory (holds hands) in front of everyone The point of public display was to shame people into having a positive attitude Hanging: a now illegal act where a rope is tied around someone’s neck to strangle to death The homeless would use the excuse of not being able to read for not knowing the laws and were branded with hot irons to make sure they didn’t use the excuse again Brand: to mark with disgrace

Culture and Entertainment Theaters were popular at the time They liked entertainment such as gambling The English culture was very brave and manly, but for women and wealthy people, they had poetry and plays The lower classes had fighting or bull/bearbaiting Shakespeare wrote for the Globe Theater in London