Elizabethan Age Politics and Society

Overview

• The Elizabethan Age was a period in English history during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603)
• Named after Queen Elizabeth I, also known as the "Golden Age" due to its cultural and literary achievements

Politics and Society

• Queen Elizabeth I ruled England, Ireland, and Wales
• The Tudor dynasty ended with Elizabeth's death, marking the beginning of the Stuart dynasty
• The Church of England was established, with Elizabeth as its head
• Social hierarchy:
  • Monarchy and nobility
  • Gentry (landowners and professionals)
  • Merchants and artisans
  • Peasants and laborers

Culture and Arts

• Flourishing of English literature:
  • William Shakespeare's plays (e.g., Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet)
  • Christopher Marlowe's plays (e.g., Doctor Faustus)
  • Ben Jonson's plays (e.g., Volpone)
• Development of English theatre:
  • The Globe Theatre was built in 1599
  • Playwrights and actors became prominent figures
• Music and art:
  • Composers like William Byrd and John Dowland
  • Artists like Nicholas Hilliard and Isaac Oliver

Economy and Exploration

• England's economy grew due to:
  • Expansion of trade and commerce
  • Establishment of the East India Company (1600)
• Exploration and colonization:
  • Sir Francis Drake's circumnavigation of the globe (1577-1580)
  • Sir Walter Raleigh's expeditions to North America (1585-1587)

Conflicts and Wars

• Wars with Spain:
  • Spanish Armada's defeat (1588)
  • English privateers (e.g., Francis Drake) raided Spanish ships and colonies
• Conflicts with Ireland and Scotland:
  • English colonization and military campaigns in Ireland
  • Border conflicts with Scotland

Elizabethan Age (1558-1603)

Politics and Society

• Queen Elizabeth I ruled England, Ireland, and Wales from 1558 to 1603
• The Tudor dynasty ended with Elizabeth's death, marking the beginning of the Stuart dynasty
• The Church of England was established, with Elizabeth as its head
• Social hierarchy consisted of:
  • Monarchy and nobility
  • Gentry (landowners and professionals)
  • Merchants and artisans
  • Peasants and laborers

Culture and Arts

• English literature flourished during this period
• Notable playwrights included:
  • William Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet)
  • Christopher Marlowe (Doctor Faustus)
  • Ben Jonson (Volpone)
• English theatre developed with:
  • The construction of The Globe Theatre in 1599
  • The rise of prominent playwrights and actors
• Music and art saw significant contributions from:
  • Composers like William Byrd and John Dowland
  • Artists like Nicholas Hilliard and Isaac Oliver

Economy and Exploration

• England's economy grew due to:
  • Expansion of trade and commerce
  • Establishment of the East India Company in 1600
• Exploration and colonization efforts included:
  • Sir Francis Drake's circumnavigation of the globe (1577-1580)
  • Sir Walter Raleigh's expeditions to North America (1585-1587)

Conflicts and Wars

• Wars with Spain included:
  • Defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588
  • English privateers like Francis Drake raided Spanish ships and colonies
• Conflicts with Ireland and Scotland involved:
  • English colonization and military campaigns in Ireland
  • Border conflicts with Scotland

Learn about the key political and social aspects of the Elizabethan Age, including Queen Elizabeth I's reign, the Tudor dynasty, and the Church of England.