The English Renaissance

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Education Under Elizabeth I

Literacy (the ability to read and write) grew in Elizabeth’s long reign.

Literacy

But the bulk of the population did not go to school and was illiterate.
Literacy for males rose from 20% to 30% during Elizabeth I’s reign. Literacy for females stayed at 20%.

Early schools

Children were taught about behaviour and religion at home.
Aged six, children then went to Sunday school.
Rich children may have learned with the help of a private tutor and poor children would have been trained in housekeeping and basic manual labour.

Petty schools

Petty schools taught reading, writing and maths.
There was no official curriculum and most schools didn’t have many resources.
There were no classes or year groups. Students started aged six, became literate (could read and write) and then left.
The schools were often run by wealthy people or local priests.

Grammar schools

Grammar schools charged fees unless a boy was especially bright. The curriculum was based on Latin, Greek, literature, history, religion and rhetoric.
The best students (male students) went to Cambridge and Oxford (the two universities in England). All studies at Oxbridge were in Latin.

Theatre and Elizabeth I

William Shakespeare was the leading playwright of the Elizabethan age. He produced many new plays each year which were performed at the Globe Theatre in London.

Actors

Acting was a male-only profession.
Actors such as Richard Burbage were particularly famous and performed roles many times over.
Theatre troupes, such as Shakespeare’s Lord Chamberlain’s Men, performed the plays.

Elizabethan theatres

In this era, many of the first permanent theatres were built. Rich and poor attended the same performances for the first time.
The rich sat in covered galleries. The poor stood in the pit, often heckling those on stage.
The stage was decorated with scenery and the roof, the ‘heavens’, housed ropes and pulleys for dramatic entrances.

Theatre for all

The theatre was popular because it was affordable for all, exciting to watch, and it also served as a social occasion.
Many plays carried political messages and hidden critiques of the ruling classes.
The Globe was built in the City of Southwark, as the City of London was opposed to the construction of theatres. They were said to encourage crime and create disruption.

Opposition to the theatre

Some opposed the theatre:
- Puritans believed the theatre distracted people from prayer, or even was sinful.
- Others believed that large crowds could lead to the spread of disease.
- Theatres could be dangerous because many members of the audience were drunk and crimes were committed.

Case study

In the 1560s the entire political nation was talking about the issue of Elizabeth's marriage and the future succession.
In Gorboduc a play co-written by Norton, Dudley was promoted as a suitor by showing the audience the terrible future the country might face if the matter of succession remained unsettled.

The Arts During Elizabeth I's Reign

There is debate over whether the Elizabethan era was a 'Golden Age' for the arts.

Elizabeth I and music

Under Elizabeth I's patronage, music in England was world-class.
Elizabeth I herself was an accomplished musician, particularly on the lute and virginals (an instrument like a keyboard).
Elizabeth I commissioned William Byrd to compose music for the Chapel Royal.
- For example, he wrote the 'Great Service'.

Elizabeth I and art

Recently, historians have argued that art in Elizabethan England was not that impressive compared to the continent. Instead, they argue that music was superior.
Elizabeth herself was not a keen patron of art and rarely commissioned her own portraits.
Most surviving portraits, such as the Rainbow Portrait or Sieve Portraits, were commissioned by courtiers.
Portraits were often gifts to the Queen and used to gain favour.
Portraits were also used to communicate Elizabeth I's power.

Popular music

Music was central to the religious experience because of congregational singing.
The amount of music in services was very contentious amongst Protestant reformers. For example, some Puritans believed music detracted from the message of God.
- In 1562, there was an attempt to ban organs. But this failed.
The Psalms written by Sternhold and Hopkins were very popular.
Historians argue that music was central to religious identity in Elizabethan England.

Literature

Literature thrived as printing presses spread. Ancient Latin and Greek writers were very popular in the original or translations.
Books on History, accounts of voyages of discovery and poetry were all popular. Sidney’s Arcadia and Spenser’s The Faerie Queen were important works.

The arts at court

As Elizabeth I's privy chamber was mostly female, it was more difficult to access her.
Historians such as Starkey have argued that this meant it was more important to gain the Queen's attention at court.
Often, courtiers would perform poetry, music or give the Queen portraits or miniatures.
They hoped this would gain her favour and that she would give them patronage.

Historical assessment

Kevin Sharpe (1999) argues that because modern-day politics is centred around parties and parliament, historians focus too much on these institutions. This might '... conceal important features of the exercise and experience of authority...' of the Elizabethan period.
- Sharpe argues that the exercise of royal authority in early modern England was a matter of negotiation and that regimes needed to get people on side.
- Art, theatre, and leisure were all political. They all had an ideology and aimed to influence the way that people thought.

1Consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty 1485-1547

1.1Henry VII 1485-1509

1.1.1Henry VII's Consolidation of Power

1.1.2Henry VII & Succession

1.1.3Henry VII's Councils & Parliament

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 1

1.1.5Henry VII & Justice, Finance & Policies

1.1.6Henry VII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.1.7Henry VII & Society

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 2

1.1.9Henry VII & Regional Issues

1.1.10Henry VII & Economic Development

1.1.11Henry VII & Cultural Development

1.1.12End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 3

1.2Henry VIII 1509-1547

1.2.1Henry VIII's Consolidation of Power

1.2.2Henry VIII & His Government

1.2.3Henry VIII & His Government 2

1.2.4End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 1

1.2.5Henry VIII & Succession

1.2.6Henry VIII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.2.7Henry VIII & Society

1.2.8End of Topic Test -Henry VIII Part 2

1.2.9Henry VIII & Society 2

1.2.10Henry VIII & Economic Development

1.2.11Henry VIII & Religion

1.2.12End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 3

2England: Turmoil & Triumph 1547-1603

2.1Instability & Consolidation 1547-1563

2.1.1Edward VI, Somerset & Northumberland

2.1.2Edward VI & Authority

2.1.3Edward VI & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.4End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 1

2.1.5Edward VI & Rebellions

2.1.6Social Impact of Religious & Economic Changes

2.1.7Edward VI & Cultural Developments

2.1.8End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 2

2.1.9Mary I & Her Rule

2.1.10Mary I & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.11The Social Impact of Religious & Economic Change

2.1.12End of Topic Test - Mary Part 1

2.1.13Elizabeth I & Her Rule

2.1.14Elizabeth I & Relations With Foreign Powers

2.1.15Impact of Economic, Social & Religious Change

2.1.16End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 1

2.2The Triumph of Elizabeth 1563-1603

2.2.1Elizabeth I & Court

2.2.2Elizabeth & Government

2.2.3Elizabeth I & Succession

2.2.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 2

2.2.5Mary Queen of Scots

2.2.6Relations with Spain

2.2.7End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 3

2.2.8Elizabeth I & Society

2.2.9Elizabeth I & Rebellion

2.2.10Elizabeth & Economic Development

2.2.11End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 4

2.2.12Elizabeth I & Religious Developments

2.2.13The English Renaissance

2.2.14Elizabeth's Last Years

2.2.15End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 5

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